Section 04-01A: Suspension, Front, 4x2
1996 F-Series Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Axle, Front, F-Super Duty

Removal

  1. Using a hoist, raise the vehicle by the frame (5005) until the weight is off the front springs. Where a frame hoist is unavailable, use a suitable floor jack to jack up the vehicle by the frame. Raise the vehicle high enough to get the weight off the springs.

  1. Remove the wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Section 04-04.

  1. Remove the disc brake calipers (2B120) and wire out of the way. Refer to Section 06-03.

  1. On F-Super Duty Motorhome Chassis vehicles, remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt.

  1. Install the wheel and tire assemblies with three or four lug nuts (1012) finger-tight.

  1. Remove the nuts that hold the front stabilizer bar link (5K483) to the front stabilizer bar (5482).

  1. Remove the washers and rack and pinion mounting bracket insulators (5484) and disconnect the front stabilizer bar links from the front stabilizer bar.

  1. On F-Super Duty Motorhome Chassis vehicles, disconnect the steering sector shaft arm drag link (3304) from the steering arm on the front wheel spindle (3105) using Tie Rod End Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent. Wire the steering sector shaft arm drag link to the frame. On F-Super Duty Chassis Cab vehicles, remove the steering sector shaft arm drag link from the tie rod.

  1. On Chassis Cab vehicles, remove the tracking bar-to-axle nut and bolt. Disconnect the bar from the axle mounting bracket.

  1. Remove the nuts from the U-bolts that hold the springs to the axle.

  1. Remove the U-bolts and stabilizer bar brackets (5486) or jack brackets.

  1. Raise the vehicle and roll the axle out from under the vehicle.

Installation

  1. Position the axle so the spring seats on the I-beam link with the locating boss on the spring.

  1. Install the U-bolts and the jack brackets or stabilizer bar brackets. Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 213-287 Nm (157-211 lb-ft).

  1. Connect the front stabilizer bar link to the steering arm on the front wheel spindle. Install the castellated nuts and tighten to 75-105 Nm (55-77 lb-ft).

  1. On Chassis Cab vehicles, position the tracking bar to the axle. Install the nut and bolt and tighten to 163-203 Nm (120-150 lb-ft).

  1. Position the ends of the front stabilizer bar links onto the front stabilizer bar. Install the rack and pinion mounting bracket insulators, washers and nuts and tighten to 24-31 Nm (18-23 lb-ft).

  1. Install the disc brake calipers. Refer to Section 06-03.

  1. Install the lower shock absorber mounting bolt, washers and nut. Tighten to 300-407 Nm (221-300 lb-ft).

  1. Install the wheel and tire assemblies and tighten to Specification listed at the end of this section.

  1. Remove the safety stands and lower the vehicle.