# 4-Wheel Drive Leaf Spring Front Suspension

## Introduction

1997-98 F-250HD and F-350 4-wheel drive leaf spring suspension

Click to enlarge

## Leaf Springs

### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

#### F-250HD/SD and F-350

1. Raise the vehicle frame until the weight is off the front spring with the wheels still touching the floor. Support the axle to prevent rotation.
2. Disconnect the lower end of the shock absorber from the U-bolt spacer. Remove the U-bolts, U-bolt cap and spacer. On F-350 models, remove the 2 bolts retaining the track bar to the spring cap and the track bar bracket.
3. Remove the nut from the hanger bolt retaining the spring at the rear and drive out the hanger bolt.
4. Remove the nut connecting the front shackle and spring eye and drive out the shackle bolt and remove the spring.

To install:

5. Position the spring on the spring seat. Install the shackle bolt through the shackle and spring. Tighten the nuts to 150 ft. lbs. (203 Nm).
6. Position the rear of the spring and install the hanger bolt. Tighten the nut to 150 ft. lbs. (203 Nm).
7. Position the U-bolt spacer and place the U-bolts in position through the holes in the spring seat cap. Install but do not tighten the U-bolt nut. On the F-350, install the track bar. Tighten the track bar-to-bracket bolts to 200 ft. lbs. (271 Nm).
8. Connect the lower end of the shock absorber to the U-bolt spacer. Tighten the fasteners to 60 ft. lbs. (81 Nm) on the F-250; 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm) on the F-350.
9. Lower the vehicle and tighten the U-bolt nuts to 120 ft. lbs. (163 Nm).

## Shock Absorbers

### TESTING

Refer to shock testing under 2 wheel drive coil spring suspension.

### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

#### F-250HD/SD and F-350

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle securely on jackstands.
2. Remove the nut/bolt retaining the shock to the upper bracket.
3. Remove the lower mounting bolt/nut from the bracket.
4. Compress the shock and remove it.
5. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the upper and lower nut/bolt to 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm).

## Knuckle and Spindle

### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Refer to Section 7 for the knuckle and spindle removal and installation.

## Stabilizer Bar

### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

#### 1997-98 F-250HD and 1999-00 Super Duty Models

Front stabilizer bar installation—F-250HD 4-wheel drive models

Click to enlarge

1. Remove the bolts, washers and nuts securing the links to the spring seat caps. On models with the Monobeam axle, remove the nut, washer and bolt securing the links to the mounting brackets. Remove the nuts, washers and insulators connecting the links to the stabilizer bar. Remove the links.
2. Unbolt and remove the retainers from the mounting brackets.
3. Remove the stabilizer bar.
4. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the connecting links-to-spring seat caps to 70 ft. lbs. (90 Nm). Tighten the nuts securing the connecting links to the stabilizer bar to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm). Tighten the retainer-to-mounting bracket nuts to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm).

#### 1997-98 F-350

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle securely on jackstands.
2. Remove the bolts, washers and nuts securing the stabilizer bar links to the spring seat caps.
3. Remove the nut, washer and bolt securing the stabilizer bar links to the stabilizer bar brackets.
4. Remove the nuts, washers and insulators attaching the stabilizer bar links to the stabilizer bar and remove the stabilizer bar links.
5. Remove the stabilizer bar retainer bolts and remove the stabilizer bar retainers.
6. Remove the stabilizer bar.

To install:

7. The installation is the reverse of the removal.

## Front Wheel Bearings

### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

#### Manual Locking Hubs

1. Raise the vehicle and install safety stands.
2. Refer to Manual Locking Hub Removal and Installation and remove the hub assemblies.
3. On F-250 HD (Dana 50 axle) and F-350, use the hub nut tool to unscrew the outer locking nut. Then, remove the lock ring from the bearing adjusting nut. This can be done with your finger tips or a screwdriver. Use the lock-nut socket to remove the bearing adjusting nut.
4. Remove the caliper and suspend it out of the way.
5. Slide the hub and disc assembly off of the spindle. The outer wheel bearing will slide out as the hub is removed, so be prepared to catch it.
6. Lay the hub on a clean work surface. Carefully drive the inner bearing cone and grease seal out of the hub using Tool T69L-1102-A, or equivalent.

To install:

7. Inspect the bearing cups for pits or cracks. If necessary, remove them with a drift. If new cups are installed, install new bearings.
8. Lubricate the bearings with Multi-Purpose Lubricant Ford Specification, ESA-MIC7-B or equivalent. Clean all old grease from the hub. Pack the cones and rollers. If a bearing packer is not available, work as much lubricant as possible between the rollers and the cages.
9. Drive new cups into place with a driver, making sure that they are fully seated.
10. Position the inner bearing cone and roller in the inner cup and install the grease retainer.
11. Carefully position the hub and disc assembly on the spindle.
12. Install the outer bearing cone and roller, and the adjusting nut.
13. On the F-250 HD (Dana 50 axle) and F-350:

The adjusting nut has a small dowel on one side. This dowel faces outward to engage the locking ring.

1. Using the hub nut socket and a torque wrench, tighten the bearing adjusting nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 Nm), while rotating the wheel back and forth to seat the bearings.
2. Back off the adjusting nut approximately 90°.
3. Install the lock ring by turning the nut to the nearest hole and inserting the dowel pin.

WARNING
The dowel pin must seat in a lock ring hole for proper bearing adjustment and wheel retention!

4. Install the outer lock nut and tighten to 160-205 ft. lbs. (218-279 Nm). Final end play of the wheel on the spindle should be 0-0.004 in. (0-0.15mm).

14. Assemble the hub parts.
15. Install the caliper.
16. Remove the safety stands and lower the vehicle.

#### Automatic Locking Hubs

1. Raise the vehicle and install safety stands.
2. Remove the hub assemblies.
3. Using a socket made for that purpose, available at most auto parts stores, use the hub nut tool to unscrew the outer locking nut.
4. Remove the lock ring from the bearing adjusting nut. This can be done with your finger tips or a screwdriver.
5. Use the lock-nut socket to remove the bearing adjusting nut.
6. Remove the caliper and suspend it out of the way.
7. Slide the hub and disc assembly off of the spindle. The outer wheel bearing will slide out as the hub is removed, so be prepared to catch it.
8. Lay the hub on a clean work surface. Carefully drive the inner bearing cone and grease seal out of the hub using Tool T69L-1102-A, or equivalent.

To install:

9. Inspect the bearing cups for pits or cracks. If necessary, remove them with a drift. If new cups are installed, install new bearings.
10. Lubricate the bearings with Multi-Purpose Lubricant Ford Specification, ESA-MIC7-B or equivalent. Clean all old grease from the hub. Pack the cones and rollers. If a bearing packer is not available, work as much lubricant as possible between the rollers and the cages.
11. Drive new cups into place with a driver, making sure that they are fully seated.
12. Position the inner bearing cone and roller in the inner cup and install the grease retainer.
13. Carefully position the hub and disc assembly on the spindle.
14. Install the outer bearing cone and roller, and the adjusting nut.

The adjusting nut has a small dowel on one side. This dowel faces outward to engage the locking ring.

15. Using the hub nut socket and a torque wrench, tighten the bearing adjusting nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 Nm), while rotating the wheel back and forth to seat the bearings.
16. Back off the adjusting nut approximately 90°.
17. Install the lock ring by turning the nut to the nearest hole and inserting the dowel pin.

The dowel pin must seat in a lock ring hole for proper bearing adjustment and wheel retention.

18. Install the outer lock nut and tighten to 160-205 ft. lbs. (218-279 Nm). Final end play of the wheel on the spindle should be 0-0.004 in. (0-0.15mm).
19. Assemble the hub parts.
20. Install the caliper.
21. Remove the safety stands and lower the vehicle.

## Wheel Alignment

Refer to wheel alignment under 2 wheel drive coil spring suspension.