New struts time
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New struts time
Noticed some odd wear on my driver front tire and after a little detective work found this. Looking at replacements now ... Bilsteins of course, Rancho and some Rough Country struts made for the 6" lift which would negate the need for the spacer the kit uses.
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Think I'm going with these. On the fence now about installing myself or not. Would have to use spring from the oe strut and I believe the lower control arm strut bolt needs to go 351 lbs
Local shop guy had said they'd change em out probably take a couple of hours, so I'm figuring they'd charge $250 or so, seems reasonable to have a legit shop do it. Just drop it off and be done with it. We'll see , any advice on self install is welcome as well.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Laramie, WY
Or check around a bit more, lots of companies offer them pre loaded with new springs. Just haven't been looking for ones for a 6" lift so I don't know if they come that way.
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Yeah seems like the ones for a lift don't have springs. The big torque on the bolt doesn't bother me as much as having to mess with the spring. There are plenty choices of already fitted spring and strut but haven't found any at a reasonable price for what I want. I'd love to slap on some top notch stuff like Fabtech, Fox etc... but there is a budget. Actually looking back I wish I'd had the for sight to replace/upgrade them when the lift was put on as everything was apart and wouldn't have been a big deal oh well.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Denver, NC
I just swapped out the Struts on mine, wasn't too bad but worse than a car. As far as the 351 ft-lb torque spec, when I looked it up I found 406 ft-lb. Since my torque wrench only goes to 250, I just cranked it down good with a 3/4 drive ratchet and a short pipe & put some blue loctite on the threads (as stated on all fasteners).
I had also done the same thing a few years ago on my 2006 F250, for the pitman arm drop bracket or whatever, when I installed the lift kit. It never gave me any issues.
You only have to remove the wheel, sway bar end link, upper ball joint nut & since yours is a 4x4 you'll have to remove that axle. The only "special" tool you'd really need is a spring compressor & if u don't have one, many auto parts stores will loan u one w/a deposit.
See a pic on my Thread : https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16978532
FYI: Don't tighten that big nut all the way until everything is assembled, then set the weight of the truck down on jackstands under the control arms (to simulate the trucks weight resting on the wheels, then crank it down hard as stated above.
I had also done the same thing a few years ago on my 2006 F250, for the pitman arm drop bracket or whatever, when I installed the lift kit. It never gave me any issues.
You only have to remove the wheel, sway bar end link, upper ball joint nut & since yours is a 4x4 you'll have to remove that axle. The only "special" tool you'd really need is a spring compressor & if u don't have one, many auto parts stores will loan u one w/a deposit.
See a pic on my Thread : https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16978532
FYI: Don't tighten that big nut all the way until everything is assembled, then set the weight of the truck down on jackstands under the control arms (to simulate the trucks weight resting on the wheels, then crank it down hard as stated above.
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Am I missing something as I thought I could only remove tie rod and drop strut out past cv ...watched video on YouTube by what's his name makuloco I believe and it looked fairly simple no axle removed or sway bar ends....
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I'd link the video if I knew how, sure someone else can it's Ford tech Makuloco 04-14 f150 strut replacement. Tie rod, lower strut bolt and the 3 nuts on top the strut was all he messed with.
Post Fiend
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From: Lexington Mo
Your right, he made it look pretty simple. But, don't you have a spacer on the front strut to level it out, or another type of suspension lift?
You will need to undo that lower ball joint to let the lower control arm swing down, and may still need to pry that strut some. You may vary well need to undo that link pin that connects the sway bar to to lower control arm. The nut for that us usually a pain in the a$$.
So be sure not to place your jack stand under that lower control arm to support the truck.
Unk Bob!
You will need to undo that lower ball joint to let the lower control arm swing down, and may still need to pry that strut some. You may vary well need to undo that link pin that connects the sway bar to to lower control arm. The nut for that us usually a pain in the a$$.
So be sure not to place your jack stand under that lower control arm to support the truck.
Unk Bob!
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From: Sioux Falls Area
Those sway bar links are a total PITA.
You'll need an impact, vice grips, and new sway bar links.
Put the new ones on with quick blips of the impact gun until they snug down, then rattle them once more and call it quits. They are a ball and socket on both ends so they just spin when you try to turn them. Total PITA.
You'll need an impact, vice grips, and new sway bar links.
Put the new ones on with quick blips of the impact gun until they snug down, then rattle them once more and call it quits. They are a ball and socket on both ends so they just spin when you try to turn them. Total PITA.
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This is mine ...looks same as one in Makulocos video, really only one noticeable difference the lower strut bolt mount area is different.
This is the 6" spacer which site atop the strut, still only three nuts to takeoff.
This is mine, notice how the strut sits in a lil cave of sorts unlike the one below ...i dont believe this would be a reason to not disassemble the same way Makuloco did.
Truck in Makulocos video.
The effect its having on the tire, notice the inner tread.
I'm not convinced I want to do it myself yet. Actually not sure what struts I want to go with I like the Bilsteins but really like the idea of losing the spacer. I guess a few years back Bilstein made a 6" strut for this lift but now although they still come up on Internet searches actually finding them for purchase is about as likely as finding a unicorn. I've given consideration to even using the leveling Bilsteins for an extra inch of lift and just leave the spacer.