I have a stock 2004 F150 crewcab 4X4. I recently purchased the Daystar 1" budget boost kit for the truck. I attempted to install it tonight but ran into a snag. I unbolted the swaybar links, brake line brackets, the three bolts on top of the strut tower and separated the upper and lower control arms as the instruction showed. No problem to this point. However I could not drop the lower control arm enough to swing the strut down and out of it's mounting housing.

I ended up putting it all back together. Has anyone run into this before? Did I do something wrong? Perhaps I could have gotten it out with a spring compressor but I didn't think I should need one. I might say that it was close to coming out. If I could have lowered the lower control arm another inch or so, it would have swung right out where I could have accessed the top of it rather easily and installed the bolt extensions and the spacer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

 

Even standing on the lower control arm wouldn't drop enough?

 

You could try prying the upper control up with a pry bar in order to get more clearance. I had to do that to put my level on my '06. Had to do that to get the coil back in as well. I left my brake lines intact, so I couldn't mess with the LCA too much

 

Did you disconnect tie rod ends?

 

I did disconnect the sway bar ends and the upper control arm wasn't the problem. I can't get the strut tower out of the upper housing in which it resides normally. The only thing I could see to do was pull the strut tower (shock and spring) completely out of the truck (by removing the lower bolt) but the instructions didn't say to do that.

 

I just found this thread from a guy who apparently had the same problem I did on a 2004. Maybe it is unique to this year? Removing the Big A$$ bolt on the strut and completely removing it was his only option and it appears to be mine. Any thoughts?

https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...f-150-4x4.html

Mike

 

Oh jeez, remove that bolt! I did for my Autospring level, I don't see how you could do it without removing it

 

Big bolt must be removed.

 

Removing the bolt and strut assembly may be the only way but the instructions and their instructional video


do not instruct you to do so.


Do you guys know what size that nut is on the bolt........Has to be around 30mmmm?

 

By watching the video, it looks like they at least had to loosen the 'BIG BOLT' or they would not have been able to swing the strut down and out. I have done this kit myself, trust me...take the bolt out...MUCH easier. I believe it is indeed 30MM on the nut end

 

I believe it's a 30mm too. Whatever it is, it's freaking huge, and tight as all hell. I had to use PVC over my wrench for a lever

 

I'll get a 30mm deepwell socket, take another stab at it and just figure on pulling the strut completely out.

You guys have been alot of help. I really appreciate the feedback and this forum.

Mike

 

No problem, I'm glad we were able to help ya out. I needed to see a write up on a level install before I tackled mine. It's all about sharing info!