2006 F53 front lower shock absorber nuts have no washer?

[fred42]

I have never changed shocks on a vehicle before and saw something odd that maybe some of you with more experience can explain.

The lower, longer bolt for the front shock goes through a curled up leaf spring that looks like this:



Both front lower sides have no washer with the nut. Here is the one I have not removed yet:



The top shorter bolts do have washers with the nut but they are on a bracket, not a spring. Of course, all have the two washers that surround the shock eye.



I'm trying to figure out if there is a reason for no washer, perhaps it creates a locking situation? It was very hard to remove with a 1000ft/lb air wrench after prior soaking with penetrating oil for several days. If it should have a washer there is room for one and I would like to get one on there. I looked at the Ford parts site diagrams but they were not showing washers anywhere, even around the shock eye so it did not help.

thanks very much for any advice,
Fred

[STBRetired]

Did mine last fall. The ones that came off were Motorcraft so I am assuming that they were original, or were replaced at a Ford dealer. Did not look for date codes. The lower front bolt had 3 washers. One on either side of the shock and one between the nut and the spring. Nuts were not locking, but had thread locker on them. Replaced bolts and nuts and used blue Locktite when I put the new shocks (Bilstein) on.

[Chum_lee]

fj12ryder wrote:
A locking nut doesn't preclude the need for a washer. The washer is mostly intended to spread the wear (load) over a larger area so the nut and mating surfaces don't degrade themselves.

Agreed. I would use flat washers like what is shown in your lower photo on the longer thru bolt. From your middle photo, the attached Bilstein shocks shown have a label on them. Not always, but, usually if they were installed as OEM shocks at the factory, they wouldn't have those stickers. (they probably wouldn't be yellow either) That's likely from the aftermarket. If that's the case, the shop that replaced the original shocks most likely left the washers off. Not the end of the world either way but it just "looks right" with washers.

Chum lee

[fj12ryder]

A locking nut doesn't preclude the need for a washer. The washer is mostly intended to spread the wear over a larger area so the nut and mating surfaces don't degrade themselves. The bean counters probably talked to the engineers and they determined they could save a nickel/unit by not using washer in situations like this.

[Dave_H_M]

That looks like a locking nut to me.

I think the Mfg saw no need for a washer and it was cheaper. You indicated yours were on super tight.

Who knows, maybe a washer would/could result in premature loosening. :h

[RLS7201]

My 95 F53 is the same yours. I suspect the missing washer is intentional.

Richard

[fj12ryder]

Probably not a big deal. If I took it apart I would probably go back with a washer, but that's just me. It doesn't look like anything is going to go anywhere. I certainly wouldn't take it apart to put washers in though.