How to Replace Shock Absorbers in a 1996 Ford F-150

Shock absorbers should be replaced every 75,000 miles on your 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck. Shocks are designed to provide a smooth ride while on bumpy roads. Shocks will eventually wear out and cause a jolting ride and a decrease in handling. Shocks should always be replaced in pairs. They can be purchased at any auto parts store. You will need to know the engine size, the length of the bed, and whether it is a two-wheel or a four-wheel drive to ensure the correct shocks are purchased.

• 1

  Loosen the lug nuts on the tire with a tire iron.

• 2

  Place a hydraulic jack directly under the axle of your F-150. The jack should be positioned close to the wheel of the truck on the axle. Lift the truck with the jack high enough so that the tire can be removed.

• 3

  Remove the lug nuts from the wheel studs. Grasp the tire, pull it off the axle and set it aside.

• 4

  Locate the mounting bolts that secure the shock absorber to the truck. There are two bolts that need to be removed on each shock absorber. These are located at the bottom and top of the shock absorber. Spray these bolts with penetrating fluid.

• 5

  Loosen the bolts by placing a socket and ratchet onto the head of each bolt. Hold the nut on the opposite side with a wrench to keep it from spinning with the bolt.

• 6

  Remove the bolts from the shock absorber. Pull the shock from the brackets and remove it from the vehicle.

• 7

  Install the new shock into the brackets. Line up the shock in the brackets so that the bolts can be inserted into the holes. Slide the bolts through the holes and thread the retaining nuts on the opposite sides. Tighten the bolts with the ratchet, socket and wrench.

• 8

  Lift the tire back onto the axle. Line up the holes in the rim with the wheel studs on the axle. Push the tire onto the axle. Thread the lug nuts onto the wheel studs and tighten them with the tire iron.

• 9

  Lower the vehicle to the ground with the jack.

• 10

  Repeat these steps for the remaining shock absorbers.