How to Replace Front Lower Control Arm 1997-2003 Ford F-150

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This video shows you how to install a front lower control arm on your 1997-2003 Ford F-150. Control arms are a crucial part of the suspension system of your vehicle. They not only carry the load of the vehicle to the wheel, but they typically also maintain its alignment. Control arms are typically large and strong, so you may be surprised it needs replacing. They contain rubber bushings for smoother rides at the cost of eventual wear, or integrated ball joints that require replacing the entire arm when they wear.
This process should be similar on the following vehicles:
1997 Ford F-150
1998 Ford F-150
1999 Ford F-150
2000 Ford F-150
2001 Ford F-150
2002 Ford F-150
2003 Ford F-150
Tools you will need:
• 14mm Wrench 1aau.to/ogN/1AXAA00010
• 15mm Wrench 1aau.to/ogN/1AXAA00010
• 21mm wrench
• 24mm Wrench
• 13mm Socket 1aau.to/owU/1AXAA00015
• 14mm Socket 1aau.to/owU/1AXAA00015
• 15mm Socket 1aau.to/owU/1AXAA00015
• 18mm Socket 1aau.to/oj4/1AXAA00043
• 21mm Socket 1aau.to/oj4/1AXAA00043
• 22mm Socket 1aau.to/obv/1AXAA00266
• 24mm Socket
• Cutoff Wheel 1aau.to/om/1AXAA00254
• Side Cutters
• 1/2 Inch Air Impact Gun 1aau.to/obQ/1AXAA00252
• 3/8 Inch Air Impact Gun
• Air Chisel 1aau.to/ou/1AXAA00270
• Socket Extensions 1aau.to/owU/1AXAA00015
• Swivel
• Torque Wrench 1aau.to/ooU/1AXAA00044
• Anti-Seize Grease
• Hammer 1aau.to/ogo/1AXAA00091
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Ford F-150 10th Generation 1997-2003: • Ford F-150 10th Genera...
⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While TRQ strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. TRQ is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[@Coolhansolo]

This guy is a solid mechanic !!
Great video !!

[@michaelrobinson5347]

FYI: to find ride height, jack up the lower control arm with suspension components torqued down (minus the bushings) until it begins to support the weight of the vehicle. When that happens, it will stop pivoting. Then torque your bushings and you're good to go. It's not the safest method if you're on a lift, but if it's on jack stands, it's perfect.

[@garrett.m5922]

Remember once you adjust or mess with the torsion bars you will need a alignment👍

[@joseleal8573]

Will be doing this tomorrow, thanks for the video!

[@williamwhite9767]

Thank you for this video. I think my 2002 F150 FX4 may need new lower control arms. You make an excellent video by the way, detailed and no time wasted.

[@playboymusicmpr3108]

Watching this made me realize me and my autozone mechanic ratchet set and 6pack are not ready and should probably just pay the mechanic 😭 can I really not just change the ball joint if it's 4wd

[@TT-kv8qj]

Regarding Torque spec for torsion bar crossmember support at approximately 18:12 in this video, Ford workshop manual for 2002 F150 states 61Nm / 45lb-ft for the outer bolts/nuts and 47Nm / 35lb-ft for the center bolt. Info can be found on page 204-01B-21 for those that have the manual 🙂 Thank you for the helpful videos!

[@Beyond1031]

Thanks for the tip of cutting the old control arm to release the torsion bar. I used a sawzall, though. Quieter for my neighbors. :)

[@primetime2023]

I appreciate that he name's all the bolts and nuts

[@saltyp123]

Would it be "a little easier" if one were to replace the torsion bars at the same time? Thus taking the Lower control arm off with the torsion bar? Also, thoughts on just doing the bushings or does the control arm have to come off anyways for bushing replacement?
98 F150 with almost 300k and owned for 18 years.

[@ralphmathews5500]

Do you have a video that shows just replacing the bushings? Thanks for this video just wondering about the other

[@donkim3493]

I noticed you air hammered the torsion bar out of the lower control arm the opposite way once you cut the control arm. Which way is the proper way?

[@themechanick9071]

lower damper bolt is fine. As long as the root diameter is not affected, the mechanical properties are as spec'd

[@marioguillen5569]

hello. Can you tell me the measurements of the dice you used for that job please. greetings from Guaymas Sonora 🇲🇽❤

[@richardtennant5153]

Just replaced mine and I'm having big trouble. I didn't have to tension the torsion bar key to get the adjuster in and my passenger side is lower than my driver side. Used to be cranked all the way up just about and now my driver side is cranked all the way up and my passenger side is cranked all the way down so the front can be even. They're indexed right and everything

[@chriss4365]

Next time put in title this is for 4x4 this is useless to work on my 2wd version.

[@318bishop]

Could he have just heated the metal

[@charliebro418]

get a angle grinder