Ford F150 Pickup. Manual - part 1791

Fig. 6: Identifying Stabilizer Bar & Brackets 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

UPPER CONTROL ARM 

Removal 

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

wheels.  

2. Mark upper control arm cams positions. See Fig. 7 . 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 
spindle. Remove the pivot bolts and upper control arm.  

Installation 

1. Ensure upper control arm cams are installed in original position. Upper 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 the removal procedure. Tighten remaining nuts and bolts to 

NOTE:

Upper ball joints and bushings are an integral part of the upper control arm, and 
are replaced only as an assembly.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

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

  

specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & 
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.  

Fig. 7: Identifying Upper Control Arm Cams 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB & ROTOR 

Removal 

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove the front disc brake caliper and anchor plate. Remove 

grease cap, cotter pin, nut, washer and outer wheel bearing. Discard cotter pin. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

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

  

2. Carefully slide rotor from spindle. Remove oil seal and inner bearing. Discard oil seal. Using a drift, 

remove bearing cups (if necessary).  

Installation 

1. Clean and inspect bearings and cups. DO NOT spin dry bearing using compressed air. Pack or replace 

bearings as required. Install outer then inner bearing cup if removed. Install inner bearing and NEW oil 
seal. Carefully install rotor and outer bearing, washer, and nut. Adjust wheel bearings. See WHEEL 
BEARING under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.  

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

SPECIFICATIONS .  

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

CAUTION: DO NOT allow inner bearing and seal to contact spindle threads 

during removal. Damage to threads, bearing and seal could result.

Application

Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Ball Joint Nuts

Lower

83-112 (113-153)

Upper

57-76 (77-103)

Brake Hose Bracket-To-Lower Control Arm Screw

10-13 (13-17)

Control Arm Nut

Lower

121-148 (164-200)

Upper

84-112 (113-153)

Lower Shock Absorber Mounting Nut

22-29 (30-40)

Stabilizer Bar Bolts/Nuts

Bracket Bolt

19-26 (26-35)

Link End

15-21 (21-29)

Tie Rod End Nut

57-76 (77-103)

Upper Shock Absorber Mounting Nut

35-46 (47-63)

Wheel Lug Nuts

12 mm

100 (135)

14 mm

150 (204)

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

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

  

2002-03 SUSPENSION

Front - 4WD Torsion Bar - F150 Pickup 

DESCRIPTION 

Front suspension consists of upper and lower control arms, torsion bars, crossmember support, steering 
knuckles, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, stabilizer bar links, wheel hubs and front axle bumper. See Fig. 1 . 
Torsion bars are not interchangeable form left to right. Each torsion bar end is stamped with an "R" or an "L" 
for identification. Upper ball joints and bushings are an integral part of the upper control arm, and are replaced 
only as an assembly. 

Fig. 1: Exploded View Of Front Suspension 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION 

BALL JOINT CHECKING 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 4WD Torsion Bar - F150 Pickup

  

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 4WD Torsion Bar - F150 Pickup