Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1790

Fig. 3: Positioning Spring In Lower Control Arm 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

LOWER CONTROL ARM 

Removal 

1. Raise vehicle, and position safety stands under frame. Remove wheels. Remove brake rotor. See 

WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB & ROTOR . Remove brake disc shield. Remove shock absorber, see 
SHOCK ABSORBER . Remove brake hose bracket screw and bracket from lower control arm. Remove 
stabilizer bar link nut. Using Coil Spring Compressor (D78P-5310-A), compress coil spring.  

2. Remove and discard lower ball joint cotter pin. Remove lower ball joint nut. Using Pitman Arm Puller 

(T64P-3590-F), separate lower ball joint from spindle. Mark lower control arm pivot nut positions for 
installation. See 

Fig. 4

 . Remove lower control arm pivot nuts and bolts. Remove lower control arm and 

coil spring.  

Installation 

NOTE:

Lower control arm caster split adjuster is for production use only. DO NOT 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup

  

1. Position the front suspension lower arm and front coil spring, install the bolts and nuts. Ensure end of 

spring is positioned properly between 2 holes in lower control arm. See Fig. 3 . Ensure lower control arm 
pivot nuts are installed in original position. Lower control arm forward pivot bolts must be tightened first 
with lower control arm at normal ride height. Install NEW cotter pins.  

2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts and nuts. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS . Before driving vehicle, pump brake pedal several times to restore normal pedal 
position. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL 
ALIGNMENT.  

Fig. 4: Identifying Lower Control Arm Nut 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

SHOCK ABSORBER 

Removal & Installation 

Hold the front shock absorber, and remove the upper shock absorber nut and washer assembly. Raise and 
support the vehicle. Remove the lower shock absorber nuts. Remove the shock absorber. To install, reverse the 
removal procedure. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

adjust.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup

  

SPINDLE 

Removal & Installation 

1. Raise vehicle, and position safety stands under frame. Support lower control arm with floor jack. Remove 

wheels. Remove brake rotor. See WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB & ROTOR . Remove brake disc shield.  

2. Remove and discard upper ball joint cotter pin. Remove upper ball joint nut. Using Pitman Arm Puller 

(T64P-3590-F), separate upper ball joint from the spindle. See Fig. 5 . Remove shock absorber. See 
SHOCK ABSORBER .  

3. Remove and discard tie rod end cotter pins. Remove tie rod nut. Using the pitman arm puller, separate tie 

rod end from spindle. Using Coil Spring Compressor (D78P-5310-A), compress spring sufficiently to 
remove tension from lower control arm. Remove and discard lower ball joint cotter pin. Remove lower 
ball joint nut. Using the pitman arm puller, separate lower ball joint from spindle. Remove the spindle.  

4. To install, reverse the removal procedure. Install NEW cotter pins. Tighten all nuts and bolts to 

specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Before driving vehicle, pump brake pedal several 
times to restore normal pedal position. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & 
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 5: Separating Upper Ball Joint & Spindle 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

STABILIZER BAR 

Removal & Installation 

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove the front stabilizer bar link nut from the front suspension lower 

control arms. Remove the left and right front stabilizer bar bolts. Remove the left and right front stabilizer 
bar links. Remove the four bolts from "U"-shaped support brackets. See Fig. 6 . Remove stabilizer bar 
and stabilizer bar insulators from vehicle.  

2. To install, reverse the removal procedure. Tighten all nuts and bolts. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS .  

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup