1969 FORD MUSTANG Volume One Chassis

03-01-08
Suspension
—
Steering,
Wheels
And
Tires
—
General Service

03-01-08

3.
Remove the lower (upper on

Mustang and Cougar) cover- to-

housing attaching bolt.

4.
With a clean punch or like in-

strument, clean out or push inward

the loose lubricant in the filler plug

hole and cover to housing attaching

bolt hole.
5.
Slowly turn the steering wheel to

the left stop, lubricant should rise

within the lower cover bolt hole; then

slowly turn the steering wheel to the

right stop, lubricant should rise within

the filler plug hole. If lubricant does

not rise in both the cover bolt hole
and the filler plug hole, add lubricant

until it comes out both holes during

this check.

6. Install the lower (upper on

Mustang and Cougar) cover- to-

housing attaching bolt and the filler

plug.

CLEANING
AND
INSPECTION

FRONT
END
GENERAL

INSPECTION

Do not check and adjust front

wheel alignment without first making

the following inspection for front-end

damage, or wear.

1.
Check for specified air pressures

in all four tires.

2.
Raise the front of the vehicle off

the floor. Shake each front wheel

grasping the upper and lower surfaces

of the tire. Check the front suspension

ball joints and mountings for loose-

ness,
wear, and damage. Check the

brake backing plate mountings. Tor-

que all loose nuts and bolts to specifi-

cation. Replace all worn parts as out-

lined in Part 3-2.

3.
Check the steering gear mount-

ings and all steering linkage connec-

tions for looseness. Torque all mount-

ings to specifications. If any of the

linkage is worn or bent, replace the

parts as outlined in Part 3-5.

4.
Check the front wheel bearings.

If any in-and-out free play is noticed,

adjust the bearings to specifications.

Replace worn or damaged bearings as

outlined in Part 3-12.

5.
Spin each front wheel with a

wheel spinner, and check and balance

each wheel as required.

6. Check the action of the shock

absorbers. If the shock absorbers are

not in good condition, the vehicle may

not settle in a normal, level position,

and front wheel alignment may be af-

fected.

WHEEL INSPECTION

Wheel hub nuts should be inspected

and tightened to specification at pre-

delivery. Loose wheel hub nuts may

cause shimmy and vibration. Elongat-

ed stud holes in the wheels may also

result from loose hub nuts.

Keep the wheels and hubs clean.

Stones wedged between the wheel and

drum and lumps of mud or grease can

unbalance a wheel and tire.
Check for damage that would affect

the runout of the wheels. Wobble or

shimmy caused by a damaged wheel

will eventually damage the wheel bear-

ings.
Inspect the wheel rims for dents

that could permit air to leak from the

tires.

UPPER BALL JOINT

INSPECTION

Ford,
Mercury,
Meteor,

Thunderbird,

Lincoln Continental
and

Continental Mark
III

1.
Raise the vehicle and place floor

jacks beneath the lower arms.

2.
Ask an assistant to grasp the

lower edge of the tire and move the

wheel in and out.

3.
As the wheel is being moved in

and out, observe the upper end of the

spindle and the upper arm.

4.
Any movement between the

upper end of the spindle and the upper

arm indicates ball joint wear and loss

of preload. If any such movement is

observed, replace the upper ball joint.

During
the
foregoing
check,
the

lower ball joint will
be
unloaded
and

may
move.
Disregard
all
such
move-

ment
of the
lower ball
joint.
Also,
do

not mistake loose wheel bearings
for a

worn ball
joint.

Cougar,
Fairlane,
Falcon,

Montego
and
Mustang

1.
Raise the vehicle on a frame

contact hoist or by floor jacks placed

beneath the underbody until the wheel

falls to the full down position as

shown in Fig. 18. This will unload the

upper ball joint.

2.
Adjust the wheel bearings as de-

scribed in Part 3-12.

3.
Attach a dial indicator to the

upper arm and position the indicator
so that the plunger rests against the

inner side of the wheel rim adjacent to

the upper arm ball joint.

4.
Grasp the tire at the top and

bottom, and slowly move the tire in

and out (Fig. 18). Note the reading

(radial play) on the dial indicator. If

MAXIMUM TOLERANCE

F
1500-A

FIG.
T8—Measuring Upper Ball

Joint Radial Play

MAXIMUM TOLERANCE

F14
35-A

FIG.
79—Measuring Lower Ball

Joint Radial Playprocarmanuals.com

03-01-09
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-09

the reading exceeds specifications

(Part 3-13), replace the upper ball

joint.

LOWER BALL JOINT

INSPECTION

Ford,
Mercury, Meteor,

Thunderbird, Lincoln Continental

and Continental Mark III

1.
Raise the vehicle and place

jacks under the lower arms as shown

in Fig. 12. This will unload the lower

ball joints.

2.
Adjust the wheel bearings as des-

cribed in Part 3-12.

3.
Attach a dial indicator to the

lower arm and position the indicator

so that the plunger rests against the

inner side of the wheel rim adjacent to

the lower ball joint.

4.
Grasp the tire at the top and

bottom and slowly move the tire in

and out (Fig. 19). Note the reading

(radial play) on the dial indicator. If

the reading exceeds specifications

(Part 3-13), replace the lower ball

joint.

Cougar, Fairlane, Falcon,

Montego, Mustang

1.
Raise the vehicle on a frame

contact hoist or by floor jacks placed

beneath the underbody until the wheel

falls to the full down position.

2.
Ask an assistant to grasp the

lower edge of the tire and move the

wheel in and out.

3.
As the wheel is being moved in

and out, observe the lower end of the

spindle and the lower arm.

4.
Any movement between the

lower end of the spindle and the lower

arm indicates ball joint wear and loss

of preload. If any such movement is

observed, replace the lower arm.

During the foregoing check, the

upper ball joint will be unloaded and

may move. Disregard all such move-

ment of the upper ball joint. Also, do

not mistake loose wheel bearings for a

worn ball joint.

POWER STEERING GEAR

CLEANING

Disassembly and assembly of the

steering gear and. the sub-assemblies

must be made on a clean workbench.

As in repairing any hydraulically op-

erated unit, cleanliness is of utmost
importance. The bench, tools, and

parts must be kept clean at all times.

Thoroughly clean the exterior of the

unit with a suitable solvent and, when

necessary drain as much of the hy-

draulic fluid as possible. Handle all

parts very carefully to avoid nicks,

burrs,
scratches and dirt, which could

make the parts unfit for use.

Do not clean, wash or soak seals in

cleaning solvent.

INSPECTION

1.
Check the sector shaft contact

surface in the cover for wear. If worn,

replace the cover.

2.
Inspect the input shaft bearing

for cracked races and the balls for

looseness, wear, pitting, end play or

other damage. Check the fit of the

bearing on the input shaft. Replace

the bearing, if required.

3.
Inspect the valve housing for

wear, scoring or burrs.

4.
Inspect the tube seats in the

pressure and return ports in the valve

body for nicks, etc. If necessary, re-

move and replace.

5.
Check the sector shaft contact

surface in the housing for wear. If

worn, replace the bushing or the hous-

ing.

6. Check all fluid passages for ob-

struction or leakage.

7.
Inspect the steering gear housing

for cracks, stripped threads, and mat-

ing surfaces for burrs. Inspect the pis-

ton bore of the housing for scoring or

wear. If necessary, replace the hous-

ing.

8. Check the input shaft bearing

after installation to be sure that it ro-

tates freely.

9. If the valve spool is not free in

the valve housing, check for burrs at

the outward edges of the working

lands in the housing and remove with

a hard stone. Check the valve spool

for burrs and if burrs are found, stone

the valve in a radial direction only.

Check for freedom of the valve again.

10.
Check the piston rack teeth and

sector shaft teeth for nicks and burrs.

FLUSHING THE POWER

STEERING SYSTEM—ALL EXCEPT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Should it be necessary to replace an

inoperative power steering pump, the

need for flushing the steering system

is required when installing the new

pump.
1.
Remove the power steering pump

and remove the pulley as outlined in

Part 3-10.

2.
Install the pulley on a new

pump. Install the pump and connect

only the pressure hose to the pump

(Part 3-10).

3.
Place the fluid return line in a

suitable container and plug the reser-

voir return pipe.

4.
Fill the reservoir with lubricant

(C1AZ-19582-A).

5.
Disconnect the coil wire to pre-

vent the engine from starting and raise

the front wheels off the ground.

6. While approximately two quarts

of steering gear fluid are being poured

into the reservoir, turn the engine over

using the ignition key, at the same

time cycle the steering wheel from

stop to stop.

7.
As soon as all of the lubricant

has been poured in, turn off the igni-

tion key, and attach the coil wire.

8. Remove the plug from the reser-

voir return pipe, and attach the return

hose to the reservoir.

9. Check the reservoir fluid level; if

low, add fluid to the proper level. Do

not overfill.

10.
Lower the vehicle.

11.
Start the engine and cycle the

steering from stop to stop to expel

any trapped air from the system.

POWER STEERING PUMP—ALL

EXCEPT LINCOLN

CONTINENTAL AND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

CLEANING

Wash all parts (except seals) in a

Naptha or Chlorinated-type solvent

and dry with compressed air.

Punch or Rod

RELIEF VALVE PLUNGER

G1607-A

FIG.
20—Cleaning Pump Relief Valveprocarmanuals.com

03-01-10
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-10

The following procedure should be

followed when cleaning the relief valve

which is a part of the pump valve as-

sembly.

1.
Using a punch or rod of suitable

diameter, apply an even pressure in a

straight line to the tip of the relief

valve pin (Fig. 20). Depress the valve

two or three times to exhaust the oil

which is trapped in the assembly. Do

not hammer on the valve pin or hous-

ing.

2.
Submerge the assembly in a con-

tainer of clean solvent. Again applying

an even pressure to the tip of the relief

valve pin, (a sudden strong force could

push the pin through the relief valve

spool) move the valve in and out sev-

eral times, thereby thoroughly flushing

the assembly. Pressure created within

the valve bore when the valve is moved

inward should force the cleaning fluid

out through the sensing orifice. If this

does not occur, the sensing orifice

should be cleaned with a piece of wire.

The valve must move freely and even-

ly. If the pin is bent or damaged, or if

the valve binds, the pump valve must

be replaced.

INSPECTION

The following describes the compo-

nents of the power steering pump

which must be replaced regardless of

condition and how to determine when

other components should be replaced.

The outlet fitting hex nut may be

reused if the corners of the hex are

not rounded. The housing bolts may

be reused if the threads are not dam-

aged.

All gaskets and seals must be re-

placed with new components except

the rotor shaft seal which should be

reused unless it was leaking.

The reservoir assembly may be

reused if the reservoir seal and gasket

areas are not damaged (dents, scratch-

es,
etc.). The soldered joints of the re-

turn and fill tubes must not be loose

or bent. Be sure to check for a broken

baffle.

The housing or housing assembly

may be reused if there is no damage

(scratches, etc.) at reservoir gasket,

outlet fitting or cover seal areas.

If the outlet fitting is damaged, the

pump housing must be replaced. The

pressure plate springs may be reused

providing they are not bent, broken or

have not taken a set.

Do not reuse the retainer end plate

if it is burred or damaged. The upper

pressure plate may be reused if there

is no scoring on the wear surface. It is

acceptable to polish the phosphate

coating.
The rotor and cam assembly can be

reused if there is no wear other than

the removal of the phosphate coating

on the cam contour. Do not disas-

semble the rotor and cam assembly.

Push the rotor part way out the cam

insert taking care not to let the slip-

pers and springs fall out. Check the

cam ID for scoring and burning.

Check the rotor faces and OD for

scoring and chipping. Do not attempt

to repair or refinish the lower and

upper pressure plates, cam or rotor

assembly. When wear or burning is

encountered, replace, them with new

components.

Install a new rotor and cam assem-

bly if the slippers are worn. Replace

the springs if they are bent or broken.

Polishing the phosphate coating of the

slipper sealing surface is permissable.

The rotor shaft can be reused if the

front and rear thrust faces, the bush-

ing diameter and the shaft seal diame-

ter are not excessively worn or scored.

The housing plate and bushing as-

sembly may be reused if all of the

threaded holes are not damaged

beyond repair and the bushing diame-

ter is not scored or worn .0005 inch

over the maximum dimension of .6897

inch. Threaded holes can be repaired

by drilling out the damaged threads

and installing a helicoil insert. If the

bushing is scored or excessively worn,

a new plate and bushing assembly

must be installed.

With Tool T69P-3D608-A (using a

dial indicator) check the squareness of

the fixed dowel pin in the plate (Fig.

21).
The pin must be square with the

adjacent surface within .001 inch per

inch through a 180 degree arch.

A bent or broken dowel pin can be

replaced as follows:
1.
Hold the plate assembly in a

horizontal position and grip at least

an inch of the dowel pin in a vise. Tap

the plate with a plastic or a rubber

hammer to pull the pin from the

plate.

2.
Insert the support guide (Tool

T69P-3D608-B) over a dowel pin (Fig.

22) and press the pin into the plate to

a height of 1.68 inch (See Fig. 23).

The support guide tool will serve as a

stop guide. Be careful not to bend the

new dowel pin during installation.

3.
Again use Tool T69P-3D608-A

(with a dial indicaator) to check the

dowel pin squareness as outlined

above.

POWER STEERING PUMP

INSPECTION—LINCOLN

CONTINENTAL AND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Wash all parts in clean solvent

and dry them with clean cloths or

compressed air.

2.
Inspect the rotor shaft for wear,

scoring, nicks, or burrs. Replace the

shaft if it is damaged or if the inner

keyway is damaged.

Tool
T69P-3D608-B

G1609-A

FIG. 22—Dowel Pin Insertion

Tool
T69P-3D608-A

G1608-A

FIG. 21—Dowel Pin Squareness

Check
FIG. 23 — Replacing Dowel Pinprocarmanuals.com

03-01-11
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-11

3.
Inspect the rotor, rollers, cam

ring, pressure plate, cover, and bush-

ing in the pressure plate for wear or

scoring. If damaged, replacement of

the pump (less housing) is required.

4.
Make sure the inner faces of the

cover and the housing are free of

paint, nicks, or burrs. Check all fluid

passages for restrictions.

5.
Inspect the valving surfaces

(areas where the rotor and rollers con-

tact) for wear or scoring. Replace the

pressure plate or the cover if worn or

scored. Inspect the bushing in the

pressure plate for wear or scoring, and

replace the plate if necessary.

6. Inspect the control valve for

scores, nicks, or burred edges. Re-

place the valve if damaged. Do not dis-

assemble the valve. Check the valve

for free movement in the housing

bore.

7.
Inspect the tube seat in the hous-

ing. If damaged, remove it with an

E-Z-Out and install a new seat.

SHOCK ABSORBER CHECKS

All vehicles are equipped with hy-

draulic shock absorbers of the direct-

acting type and are nonadjustable and

nonrefillable. They cannot be repaired.
Before replacing a shock absorber,

check the action of the shock absor-

bers as follows:

ON VEHICLE TESTS

1.
Check the shock absorber to be

sure it is securely and properly in-

stalled. Check the shock absorber in-

sulators for damage and wear.

Replace any defective insulators and

tighten attachments to the specified

torque (on a shock absorber which in-

corporates integral insulators, replace

the shock absorbers).

2.
Inspect the shock absorber for

evidence of fluid leakage. A light film

of fluid is permissible. Be sure any

fluid observed is not from sources

other than the shock absorber.

Replace the shock absorber if leak-

age is severe.

3.
Disconnect the lower end of the

shock absorber. Extend and compress

the shock absorber as fast as possible,

using as much travel as possible.

Action should become smooth and

uniform throughout each stroke.

Higher resistance on extension than

on compression is a normal condition.

Faint swish noises are also normal.

Remove the shock absorber for a

bench test if action is erratic. If the
action is smooth, but the shock absor-

bers are suspected of being weak fol-

low step 4:

4.
Repeat step 3 on the mating

shock absorber installed on the oppo-

site side of the vehicle, and compare

results of both tests. If the action is

similar, it is unlikely that either shock

absorber is defective. Reconnect both

shock absorbers.

Replace the shock absorber having

the lower resistance. Ensure that the

part number of the replacement is the

same as that of the original shock ab-

sorber. The replacement shock absor-

ber resistance will appear to be higher

than either original due to initial fric-

tion of the rod seal.

BENCH TEST

With the shock absorber right side

up (as installed in vehicle), extend it

fully. Then turn the shock absorber

upside down and fully compress it.

Repeat this procedure at least three

times to ensure that any entrapped air

has been expelled. Now place the

shock absorber right side up in a vise,

and hand stroke the shock absorber as

described in On Vehicle Tests, step 3.

If action is not now smooth and uni-

form, install a new shock absorber.procarmanuals.com

03-02-01
Suspension

03-02-01

PART
3-2
Suspension

COMPONENT INDEX

BALL JOINT

Removal
and
Installation

BUSHING

Removal
and
Installation

DRIVE SHAFT PINION ANGLE

Adjustment

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER

Removal
and
Installation

FRONT SPRING

Removal
and
Installation

FRONT SPRING
AND
LOWER
ARM

Removal
and
Installation

FRONT SUSPENSION

Description

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER
ARM

Removal
and
Installation

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER
ARM
STRUT

AND/OR BUSHING

Adjustment
and
Repair

FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER
ARM

Removal
and
Installation

FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER
ARM

BUSHING
- ARM
REMOVED

Disassembly
and
Overhaul

FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE

Removal
and
Installation

HOISTING INSTRUCTIONS

INNER SHAFT

Removal
and
Installation

LOWER
ARM -
REMOVED

Disassembly
and
Overhaul

LOWER
ARM
STRUT AND/OR BUSHING

Removal
and
Installation

LOWER BALL JOINT
- ARM IN
VEHICLE

Removal
and
Installation

REAR SHACKLE
AND
HANGER ASSEMBLY

Removal
and
Installation

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

Removal
and
Installation

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER LOWER

MOUNTING STUD

Removal ancl Installation
MODEL APPLICATION
All Models

02-02

02-08
Ford
N/A

N/A

02-11

02-21

02-12

N/A

02-16

02-11

02-17

02-27

02-19

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-09

N/A

02-21

N/A
Mercury
N/A

N/A

02-11

02-21

02-12

N/A

02-16

02-11

02-17

02-27

02-19

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-09

N/A

02-21

N/A
Meteor
N/A

N/A

02-11

02-21

02-12

N/A

02-16

02-11

02-17

02-27

02-19

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-09

N/A

02-21

N/A
Cougar
N/A

N/A

N/A

02-21

02-13

N/A

02-17

N/A

02-18

N/A

02-20

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-22

N/A
Fairlane
N/A

N/A

N/A

02-21

02-13

N/A

02-17

N/A

02-18

N/A

02-20

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-22

N/A
Falcon
N/A

N/A

N/A

02-21

02-13

N/A

02-17

N/A

02-18

N/A

02-20

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-22

N/A
Montego
N/A

N/A

N/A

02-21

02-13

N/A

02-17

N/A

02-18

N/A

02-20

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-22

N/A
Mustang
N/A

N/A

N/A

02-21

02-13

N/A

02-17

N/A

02-18

N/A

02-20

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-22

N/A
Lincoln-
Continental
02-10

02-28

N/A

02-21

N/A

02-14

N/A

N/A

02-18

N/A

02-20

02-28

02-27

N/A

N/A

02-29

02-22

02-23
Thunderbird
N/A

N/A

02-11

02-21

02-12

N/A

02-16

02-11

02-17

02-27

02-19

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-09

N/A

02-21

N/A
1
Continental-
Mark
III
N/A

N/A

02-11

02-21

02-12

N/A

02-16

02-11

02-17

02-27

02-19

N/A

N/A

•

N/A

02-09

N/A

02-21

N/A

A page number indicates that the item
is for the
vehicle listed
at
the head
of
the column.

N/A indicates that
the
item
is not
applicable
to the
vehicle listed.
procarmanuals.com

03-02-02
Suspension

03-02-02

COMPONENT INDEX

REAR SPRING

Disassembly
and
Overhaul

Removal
and
Installation

REAR SUSPENSION

Description

REAR SUSPENSION LOWER
ARM

Removal
and
Installation

REAR SUSPENSION UPPER
ARM

Removal
and
Installation

SPRING LEAVES
AND
TIE-BOLT

Removal
and
Installation

STABILIZER

Removal
and
Installation

TRACK
BAR

Removal
and
Installation

UPPER
ARM
-
REMOVED

Removal
and
Installation

UPPER
ARM
SHAFT AND/OR BUSHING

Removal
and
Installation

UPPER BALL JOINT

Removal
and
Installation
MODEL APPLICATION
All
Models
Ford

N/A

02-23

02-02

02-24

02-25

N/A

02-11

02-25

N/A

N/A

02-08
Mercury
N/A

02-23

02-02

02-24

02-25

N/A

02-11

02-25

N/A

N/A

02-08
Meteor
N/A

02-23

02-02

02-24

02-25

N/A

02-11

02-25

N/A

N/A

02-08
Cougar
N/A

02-25

02-04

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-09

02-08
Fairlane
N/A

02-25

02-04

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-09

02-08
Falcon
N/A

02-25

02-04

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-09

02-08
Montego
N/A

02-25

02-04

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-09

02-08
Mustang
N/A

02-25

02-04

N/A

N/A

N/A

02-11

N/A

N/A

02-09

02-08
Lincoln-
Continental
02-28

02-26

02-04

N/A

N/A

02-29

N/A

N/A

02-27

N/A

02-10
Thunderbird
N/A

02-23

02-02

02-24

02-25

N/A

02-11

02-25

N/A

N/A

02-08
Continental-
Mark III
N/A

02-23

02-02

02-24

02-25

N/A

02-11

02-25

N/A

N/A

02-08

A page number indicates that
the
item
is
for the
vehicle listed
at
the
head
of
the
column.

N/A indicates that
the
item
is
not
applicable
to
the
vehicle listed.

DESCRIPTION

FRONT SUSPENSION

Each front wheel rotates
on a

spindle.
The
upper
and
lower ends
of

the spindle
are
attached
to
upper
and

lower ball joints which
are
mounted
to

an upper
and
lower
arm
respectively.

The upper
arm
pivots
on a
bushing

and shaft assembly which
is
bolted
to

the frame.
The
lower
arm
pivots
on a

bolt
in the
front crossmember (Figs.
1,

2
and 3). A
coil spring seats between

the lower (upper
on
Cougar, Fairlane,

Falcon, Montego
and
Mustang)
arm

and
the top of the
spring housing.
A

double action shock absorber
is
bolted

to
the arm and the top of the
spring

housing.
REAR SUSPENSION

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD
AND

CONTINENTAL MARK
III

Each rear wheel,
hub, and
brake

drum assembly
is
bolted
to the
rear

axle shaft flange.
The
axle shaft
as-

sembly rotates
in the
rear axle hous-

ing.

The rear axle housing
is
suspended

from
the
frame
by a
coil spring
and

shock absorber
at
each side
of the ve-

hicle
and by
three arms
(one
upper

and
two
lower) which pivot
in the

frame members
(Fig.
4).

Each coil spring
is
mounted
be-

tween
a
lower seat, which
is
welded
to

the axle housing,
and an
upper seat

which
is
integral with
the
frame.
The upper
end
of
the
rear shock
ab-

sorber
is
attached
to the
spring upper

seat;
the
lower
end is
bolted
to a

bracket
on the
axle housing.

The upper suspension
arm
attaches

to
the
right side
of the
axle housing

through
an
eccentric pivot bolt
and a

bracket which
is
welded
to the top of

the housing.
The
forward
end of the

arm
is
connected
by a
pivot bolt
to

the frame crossmember.

Each lower suspension
arm
attaches

to
one end of the
axle housing

through
a
pivot bolt
and a
bracket

which
is
welded
to the
underside
of

the housing.
The
forward
end of the

arm
is
connected
by a
pivot bolt
to

the frame side member.

A track
bar is
connected between

the upper
arm
bracket
on the
axle

housing
and a
mounting bracket
on

the left frame side rail.
procarmanuals.com

BALL JOINT

3263

INNER SHAFT

BOLT MUST BE INSTALLED FROM

TOP OF STABILIZER BAR (HEAD UP)
UPPER ARM

3082

STABILIZER BAR

5482

BUSHING

3A187
SPRING INSULATOR

5415
BUSHING

3068

F1246-C

FIG.
1
—
Front
Suspension Disassembled—Typical—Ford, Mercury, Thunderbird, Continental Markprocarmanuals.com

03-02-04
Suspension

03-02-04

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Each rear wheel, hub and brake

drum assembly is bolted to the rear

axle shaft flange. The wheel and axle

shaft assembly rotates in the rear axle

housing. Two spring pads, integral

with the axle housing, rest on two leaf

spring assemblies. The axle housing is

fastened to the center of the springs

by spring clips (U-bolts), retainers,

and nuts (Figs. 5 and 6). Each spring

assembly is suspended from the under-

body side rail by hanger and shackle

assemblies at the front and rear. The

integral mounting stud at the upper

end of each shock absorber is attached

to the crossmember by a mounting

plate. The lower end is mounted to a

stud which is integral with a bracket

welded to the axle housing.
SHOCK ABSORBER

UPPER MOUNTING

BRACKET

SPRING
SHOCK ABSORBER

UPPER ARM

FIG. 2—Front Suspension—Typical—Cougar, Fairlane, Falcon,

Montego, Mustang

F
1497.
A

3—Front Suspension—Lincoln Continentalprocarmanuals.com