Removal of the Leaf Springs on a 2003 Ford F-150

The 2003 Ford F-150 was equipped with a 4.2-liter V-6, a 4.6-liter V-8 or a 5.4-liter V-8 and was available with two- or four-wheel-drive. The two-wheel-drive version had coil spring independent front suspension and a solid rear axle supported by leaf springs in a spring-over-axle design. This means that the leaf springs sat on top of the rear axle. The front and rear of each spring is bolted to the frame through rubber bushings.

Instructions

Park the F-150 on a level, paved surface. Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels. Raise the rear of the F-150 with a jack and support with jack stands on the frame rails. Remove the lug nuts and wheels.

Support the rear axle with a floor jack placed under the center of the axle. Raise the jack until the axle just starts to push against the springs. Place jack stands about 3 inches under the axle, at the center of the axle tubes. Remove the nuts from the U-bolts on top of each spring with a ratchet and socket. If the threads have a lot of rust on them, spray them with penetrating oil before removing them. Remove the U-bolts and spring plates. Slowly lower the axle onto the jack stands. You want to just clear the springs.

Remove the nut from the bolt at the front of the spring, with a wrench, ratchet and socket. Remove the nut from the bolt at the rear of the spring on the shackle. Have an assistant remove the front bolt while you remove the rear bolt. A hammer and punch may be needed to tap out the bolts. Remove the spring.

Install the spring with your assistant mounting the front and you mounting the rear. Install the bolts and nuts. Use a torque wrench and socket to torque the front nuts to between 157 and 212 foot-pounds. Torque the rear spring to shackle nut to between 73 and 97 foot-pounds.

Raise the axle up to the spring. Make sure the locating pin in the spring pack engages the hole in the spring perch on the axle. Install the U-bolts, spring plate and nuts. Torque the nuts to between 73 and 97 foot-pounds, working in a crisscross pattern, tightening the nuts a little at a time.

Mount the wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the rear of the F-150, with the jack, remove the jack stands and lower the truck to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds for 12 mm wheel studs and 150 foot-pounds for 14 mm wheel studs.