1969 FORD MUSTANG ABS

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

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

03-02-09
Suspension

03-02-09

WOOD BLOCK
F
1287-A

FIG. 9—Upper
Arm
Support—

Montego, Falcon
and
Fairlane

Tool-T62F-3006-A

ARM SUPPORT

LOWER BALL JOINT
SLEEVE

Too/-T57P-3006-A

F 1157-C

FIG. TO—Loosening Ball Joint

Studs
in
Spindle—Typical

from
the
spindle.
Do not
loosen
the

stud with tool pressure alone. Raise

the stud
out of the
spindle bore.

6. Using
a
large chisel,
cut off the

three upper ball joint retaining rivets

and remove
the
ball joint.

7.
Clean
the end of the arm, and

remove
all
burrs from
the
hole edges.

Check
for
cracks
in the
metal
at the

holes,
and
replace
the arm if it is

cracked.

8. Attach
the new
ball joint
to the

upper
arm. Use
only
the
specified

bolts,
nuts,
and
washers.
Do not
rivet

the
new
ball joint
to the
arm. Torque

the nuts
to
specification (Part 3-13).

9. Position
the
lower ball joint stud

in
the
spindle bore,
and
torque
the at-

taching
nut to
specification. Install
a

new cotter
pin and
tighten
the nut if

necessary
to
line
up the
cotter
pin

hole.
Install
a new
cotter
pin in the

lower ball joint
if it was
removed.
1495-A

FIG. 11 —Shaft Centered
in

Arm—Typical

F 1494- A

FIG. 12—Torque Upper
Arm

Inner Shaft Bushings—Typical

10.
Lubricate
the
ball joint,
and in-

stall
the
wheel
and
tire. Torque
the

lug nuts
to
specification (Part 3-13).

11.
Remove
the
safety stands,
and

lower
the
vehicle.

12.
Remove
the
support from
be-

tween
the
upper
arm and
frame.

13.
Check
and, if
necessary, adjust

caster, camber,
and
toe-in.

UPPER ARM SHAFT AND/OR

BUSHING REPLACEMENT

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Remove
the
shock absorber
and

upper mounting bracket
as an
assem-

bly.

2.
Raise
the
vehicle
on a
hoist,
in-

stall safety stands,
and
remove
the

wheel cover
or hub cap.

3.
Remove
the
grease
cap
from
the

hub;
then, remove
the
cotter
pin, nut

lock, adjusting
nut and
outer bearing

from
the hub.

4.
Pull
the
wheel, tire,
and the hub

and drum
off the
spindle
as an
assem-

bly.
5.
Install
the
spring compressor

tool (Figs.
20, 21 and 22).

6. Remove
2
upper arm-to-spring

tower attaching nuts
and
swing
the

upper
arm
outboard from
the
spring

tower.

7.
Rotate
the
inner shaft
so
that
the

studs
can be
removed. Remove
the

studs with
a
soft mallet.

8. Unscrew
the
bushings from
the

shaft
and
suspension
arm;
then,
re-

move
the
shaft from
the arm.

9. Position
the
shaft
in the. arm,

apply grease
to the new
bushings
and

O-rings,
and
install
the
bushings loose

on
the
shaft
and
arm. Turn
the
bush-

ings
so
that
the
shaft
is
exactly
cen-

tered.
The
shaft will
be
properly
cen-

tered when dimensions
A and B in

Fig.
11 are
equal.

10.
Fabricate
a
spacer from
a sec-

tion
of
3/4-inch diameter pipe
or

metal
of
comparable size
and

strength.
The
spacer should
be 6

15/16 inches long.

11.
Position
the
spacer parallel with

the inner shaft,
and
force
the
spacer

between
the
flanges
of the
upper
arm

(Fig.
12).

If
the
spacer cannot
be
forced
be-

tween
the arm
flanges due
to
excessive

distortion, replace
the
upper
arm as-

sembly.

12.
With
the
spacer positioned
in

the
arm,
torque
the
bushings
to
speci-

fication. Move
the arm on the
shaft
to

be sure that
no
binding exists, then
re-

move
the
spacer.

13.
Attach
the
suspension upper

arm
to the
underbody. Release
the

front spring.

14.
Remove
the
spring compressor

and position
the
wheel, tire,
and hub

and drum
on the
spindle.

15.
Install
the
bearing, washer,
ad-

justing
nut and nut
lock. Adjust
the

wheel bearing
as
outlined
in
Part
3-12

and install
the
cotter
pin,
grease
cap

and
hub cap or
wheel cover.

16.
Lower
the
vehicle
and
install

the shock absorber
and
upper mount-

ing bracket.

17.
Check caster, camber,
and toe-

in,
and
adjust
as
necessary (Part 3-1).

LOWER BALL JOINT

REPLACEMENT-

ARM
IN
VEHICLE

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK
III

1.
Raise
the
vehicle high enough
to

provide working space, leaving
theprocarmanuals.com

03-02-12
Suspension

03-02-12

ECCENTRIC

WASHER

F1504-A

FIG. 76 —Measuring Pinion Angle

specification whenever the rear axle

has been removed.

Before checking the drive shaft pin-

ion angle, alignment height spacer

(Tool T65P-3OOO-B or C) must be in-

stalled at a height of 4.30 inches (Fig.

14).

Checking Procedure

The checking and adjusting proce-

dure must be done with the weight of

the vehicle on the front and rear sus-

pension.
UPPER ARM

KET

ECCENTRIC

WASHER

AXLE HOUSING

E1761-A

FIG.
17
—
Pinion
Angle Adjustment

1.
Position the magnetized Tool

T68P-4602-A on a U-joint bearing

cap as shown in Fig. 15.

2.
With the tool suspended straight

down and the adjusting screw to the

left, adjust the dial on the tool until

the left-hand edge of the bubble is ex-

actly on the zero line.

3.
Position the vee magnet on the

drive shaft away from welds and bal-

ance weights (Fig. 15).

4.
Position the magnetized tool

(T68P-4602-A) on the vee magnet

with the adjusting screw to the left in

the same relative position as it was on

the bearing cap (Fig. 16).

5.
Read the position of the bubbles

left-hand edge on the scale to deter-

mine the drive shaft pinion angle. The

reading should be 3 1/2 degrees plus 1
degree on Ford, Mercury or Meteor

models, 7 1/4 degrees plus 3/4 degree

on Thunderbird or Continental Mark

III models.

Adjustment

If the pinion angle is not within

specifications, adjust the pinion angle

as follows:

The upper arm-to-axle housing bolt

and two eccentric washers form an ad-

justing cam mechanism (Fig. 17)

which will tilt the axle housing to the

required angle.

1.
Loosen the upper arm pivot bolt

nuts.

2.
If the angle is less than specifica-

tions,
rotate the adjusting cam for-

ward and recheck the angle. If the

angle is more than specification, ro-

tate the adjusting cam rearward and

recheck the angle.

3.
When the axle housing is adjust-

ed in such a way that the drive shaft

angle reading is within specification,

install new pivot bolt nuts and torque

to specification (Fig. 17).

4.
Lower the vehicle and road test

for proper axle operation.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

HOISTING INSTRUCTIONS

Damage to steering linkage compo-

nents and front suspension struts may

occur if care is not exercised when po-

sitioning the hoist adapters of 2 post

hoists prior to lifting the vehicle.

If a 2 post hoist is used to lift the

vehicle, place the adapters under the

lower arms or the No. 1 crossmember.

Do not allow the adapters to contact

the steering linkage. If the adapters

are placed under the crossmember, a

piece of wood (2 x 4 x 16 inches)

should be placed on the hoist channel

between the adapters. This will pre-

vent the adapters from damaging the

front suspension struts.
FRONT SPRING

REPLACEMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK HI

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle and support the

front end of the frame with jack

stands.

2.
Place a jack under the lower arm

to support it.

3.
Disconnect the lower end of the

shock absorber from the lower arm.

4.
Remove the bolts that attach the

strut and the rebound bumper to the

lower arm.
5.
Disconnect the lower end of the

sway bar stud from the lower arm.

6. Remove the nut and bolt that se-

cures the inner end of the lower arm

to the crossmember.

7.
Carefully lower the jack slowly

to relieve the spring pressure on the

lower arm, then remove the spring

(Fig. 18).

Installation

1.
Position the spring on the lower

arm so that the lower end properly

engages the seat.

2.
Raise the lower arm carefully

with a jack while guiding the inner

end to align with the bolt hole in the

crossmember. Insert the attaching bolt

in the rear of the crossmember andprocarmanuals.com

03-02-13

Suspension

03-02-13

BALL JOINT BOLT HEAD

STABILIZER

F1370-A

FIG. 18 —Removing or Installing Front Spring

TURN TO COMPRESS

NUT
•

Tool T 63 P-53J0-A

SHAFT SCREW

Lower Adapter Plate

CAVITY
Upper Adapter Plate

T67P-5370-A

FIG. 79—Spring Tool Installation

through the lower arm. Install and

torque the nut to specification.

3.
Secure the lower end of the

shock absorber to the lower arm with

the two attaching bolts.

4.
Secure the strut and the rebound

bumper to the lower arm with the two
F
1492.
A

attaching bolts. Torque the bolts to

specification

5.
Connect the sway bar to the

lower arm with the attaching washer

and insulators as shown in Fig. 1.

Torque the nut to specification.

6. Check the front end alignment
and adjust it to the recommended

specifications if required.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Remove the shock absorber and

upper mounting bracket as an assem-

bly.

2.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist, in-

stall safety stands, and remove the

wheel cover or hub cap.

3.
Remove the grease cap from the

hub;
then, remove the cotter pin, nut

lock, adjusting nut and outer bearing

from the hub.

4.
Pull the wheel, tire and the hub

and drum off the spindle as an assem-

bly.

5.
Install the spring compressor

tool as shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21.

6. Remove 2 upper arm-to-spring

tower attaching nuts and swing the

upper arm outboard from the spring

tower (Fig. 21).

7.
Release the spring compressor

tool and remove the tool from the

spring. Then, remove the spring from

the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Place the spring upper insulator

on the spring and secure in place with

tape.

2.
Position the spring in the spring

tower. Install the spring compressor,

(Fig. 19) and compress the spring.

3.
Swing the upper arm inboard

and insert the bolts through the holes

in the side of the spring tower. Then,

install the attaching nuts and torque

them to specification.

4.
Release the spring pressure and

guide the spring into the upper arm

spring seat. The end o! the spring

must seat against the tab on the

spring seat.

5. Remove the spring compressor

and position the wheel, tire, and hub

and drum on the spindle.

6. Install the bearing, washer, ad-

justing nut and lock nut. Adjust the

wheel bearing as outlined in Part 3-12

and install the cotter pin, grease cap,

and hub cap or wheel cover.

7.
Lower the vehicle and install the

shock absorber and upper mounting

bracket.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust as necessary (Part 3-1).procarmanuals.com

03-02-14
Suspension

03-02-14

FRONT SPRING AND

LOWER ARM

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle. Place a sup-

port under each underbody side rail to

the rear of the lower arm in the lifting

pad area.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire from

the hub.

3.
Remove 2 bolts and washers that

attach the caliper to the spindle. Re-

move the caliper from the rotor and

wire it to the underbody to prevent

damage to the brake hose.

4.
Remove the hub and rotor from

the spindle.

5.
Loosen the splash shield to pro-

vide clearance at the end of the arm

when it is lowered.

6. Remove the shock absorber.

7.
Disconnect the stabilizing strut

(drag strut) from the lower arm.

8. Disconnect the stabilizer bar

from the suspension bar.

9. Remove the cotter pin from the

slotted nut attaching the lower ball

joint to the end of the spindle boss.

Loosen the nut one to two turns.

10.
Place a box wrench over the

lower end of the ball joint remover

tool, and position the tool as in Fig.

13.
The tool should seat firmly against

the ends of both studs, and not

against the lower stud nut.

11.
Turn the wrench until both

studs are under tension, then, tap the

spindle with a hammer near the lower

stud to loosen it from the spindle. Do

not loosen the stud with tool pressure

alone.

12.
Place a jack under the outer

end of the lower arm and raise the

arm several inches.

13.
Install the spring compressor

Tool 5310-A (Fig. 23) inside the

spring with the jaws of the tool

toward the center of the vehicle.

14.
Remove the nut from the ball

joint stud. Lower the jack until the

spindle and spring are free, and re-

move the spring and insulators.

15.
Remove the lower arm- to-

crossmember nut, bolt, washers, and

spacer, then remove the arm.

Installation

1.
Connect the inner end of the

lower arm to the underbody

crossmember. Do not tighten the at-

taching nut at this time. Refer to Fig.

22.
Basic Tool Adapter F 1288-B

FIG. 20—Spring Compressor Tool Installed—Upper View—Typical

DETAIL NO 3 T63P-5310-A DETAIL NO.4
DETAIL
NO.
I

21 —Compressing Spring—Lower View—Montego, Falcon

and Fairlaneprocarmanuals.com

03-02-16
Suspension

03-02-16

2.
Place a jack under the outer end

of the arm.

3.
Tape the upper and lower spring

insulators to the spring.

4.
Compress the coil spring with

Tool 5310-A (Fig. 23) and place the

spring and insulators in position. Be

sure both ends of the spring are prop-

erly seated, and raise the arm. Guide

the spindle boss over the ball joint

stud.

5.
Install the ball joint stud retain-

ing nut and torque it to specification.

Continue tightening the nut to line up

the cotter pin hole. Install a new cot-

ter pin.

6. Connect the stabilizer bar to the

lower arm. Torque the nut to specifi-

cation.

7.
Connect the drag strut to the

lower arm. Torque the nuts to specifi-

cation.

8. Install the shock absorber.

9. Tighten the splash shield attach-

ing bolts to specifications.

10.
Install the hub and rotor on the

spindle and adjust the wheel bearings.

11.
Install the caliper to the spindle

and tighten the attaching bolts to

specifications. Check for the correct

flexible hose routing (Part 2-2).

12.
Install the wheel and tire on the

hub.
Torque the wheel lug nuts to

specifications and remove the support

stands.

13.
With the front end weight of

the car on the wheels, torque the

lower arm-to-crossmember bolt at-

taching nut to specification.

FRONT SUSPENSION

LOWER ARM

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

position safety stands under both sides

of the frame just back of the lower

arms.

2.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover.

3.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—Remove the wheel and tire

and brake drum as an assembly. Re-

move the brake backing plate attach-

ing bolts and remove the backing

plate from the spindle. Wire the back-

ing plate to the underbody to prevent

damage to the brake hose.

4.
If equipped with disc brakes-

—Remove the wheel and tire from the
•Tool—5310-A

F 1491-A

FIG. 23—Coil Spring Compressed

for Installation

F1437-A

FIG. 24—Removing Front Spring

—Lower Arm Replacement

hub.
Remove 2 bolts and washers that

attach the caliper and brake hose to

the spindle. Remove the caliper from

the rotor and wire it to the underbody

to prevent damage to the brake hose.

Then, remove the hub and rotor from

the spindle.

5.
Disconnect the lower end of the

shock absorber, and push it up to the

retracted position.

6. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link

from the lower arm.

7.
Remove the cotter pins from the

upper and lower ball joint stud nuts.

8. Remove 2 bolts and nuts attach-

ing the strut to the lower arm.

9. Loosen the lower ball joint stud

nut one or two turns. Do not remove

the nut from the stud at this time.

10.
Install Tool T57P-3OO6-A bet-

ween the upper and lower ball joint

studs (Fig. 7). The tool should be

seated firmly against the ends of both

studs and not against the stud nuts.

11.
With a wrench, turn the adapter

screw until the tool places the stud

under tension. Tap the spindle near

the lower stud with a hammer to loos-
en the stud in the spindle. Do not

loosen the stud from the spindle with

tool pressure only.

12.
Position a floor jack under the

lower arm (Fig. 24) and remove the

lower ball joint stud nut.

13.
Lower the floor jack and re-

move the sprina and insulator (Fie.

25).

14.
Remove one nut and bolt at-

taching the lower control arm to the

No.
2 crossmember and remove the

lower arm (Fig. 24).

Installation

1.
Position the lower arm to the

No.
2 crossmember and loosely install

the attaching bolt and nut (Fig. 1).

2.
Position the spring and insulator

to the upper spring pad and lower

arm. Using a floor jack, compress the

spring and guide the lower ball joint

stud into the spindle hole.

3.
Install the ball joint stud attach-

ing nut and torque to specification.

Continue to tighten the nut until the

cotter pin hole is in line with the nut

slots.
Install a cotter pin in the upper

and lower ball joint studs.

4.
Pull the shock absorber down

and connect it to the lower arm.

5.
Position the strut and bumper to

the lower arm. Install the attaching

bolts and nuts and torque to specifica-

tion.

6. Torque the lower arm to No. 2

crossmember attaching bolt and nut to

specifications.

7.
Position the stabilizer bar link to

the lower arm and install the attach-

ing nuts.

8. If equipped with drum type

brakes—Position the brake backing

plate to the spindle and install the at-

taching bolts. Torque the bolts to spe-

cification. Adjust the brakes as out-

lined in Group 2. Install the wheel,

tire,
and drum to the spindle and ad-

just the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12.

If equipped with disc brakes-Install

the hub and rotor on the spindle.

Position the caliper over the rotor and

install the attaching bolts. Torque the

bolts to specification. Install the

wheel and tire on the wheel hub and

adjust the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12.

9. Install the hub cap or wheel

cover.

10.
Remove the safety stands and'

lower the vehicle.

11.
Check the caster, camber, and

toe-in and adjust as required (Section

2,
Part 3-1).procarmanuals.com

03-02-18
Suspension

03-02-18

5.
Remove the cotter pin from the

upper ball joint stud nut.

6. Loosen the upper ball joint stud

nut one or two turns. Do not remove

the nut from the stud at this time.

7.
Install tool T57P-3006-A be-

tween the upper and lower ball joint

studs with the adapter screw on top

(Fig. 13). The tool should be seated

firmly against the ends of both studs

and not against the nuts or lower stud

cotter pin.

8. With a wrench, turn the adapter

screw until the tool places the stua

under tension. Tap the spindle near

the upper stud with a hammer to loos-

en the stud in the spindle. Do not

loosen the stud from the spindle with

tool pressure only.

9. Remove the tool from between

the ball joint studs and place a floor

jack under the lower arm.

10.
Raise the floor jack to relieve

the pressure from the upper ball joint

stud nut and remove the nut.

11.
Remove the upper arm inner

shaft attaching bolts. Remove the

upper arm and inner shaft as an as-

sembly (Fig. 1).

12.
Remove the bumpei from the

upper arm.

Installation

1.
Position the bumper to the upper

arm and install the nut and washer.

Torque the nut to specifications.

2.
Position the upper arm inner

shaft to the frame side rail and install

the 2 attaching bolts and washers

snug.

3.
Connect the upper ball joint stud

to the spindle and install the attaching

nut. Torque the nut to specification

and continue to tighten the nut until

the cotter pin hole in the stud is in

line with the nut slots. Then, install

the cotter pin.

4.
If equipped with drum type bra-

kes—Adjust the brakes as outlined in

Part 2-2. Install the wheel, tire, and

drum to the spindle and adjust the

wheel bearings as outlined in Part

3-12.

5.
If equipped with disc brak-

es—Install the wheel and tire on the

hub and adjust the wheel bearings as

outlined in Part 3-12.

6. Install the hub cap or wheel

cover.

7.
Remove the safety stands and

lower the front of the vehicle.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust as required (Section 2, Part

3-D.
COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle,

position safety stands under the

frame, and lower the vehicle slightly.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the shock absorber

lower attaching nuts and washers.

4.
Remove the shock absorber

upper mounting bracket attaching

nuts,
and remove the shock absorber

and bracket as an assembly (Fig. 26).

On all 8-cylinder vehicles, remove

the air cleaner to obtain access for

tool installation.

5.
Install the spring compressor

tool and compress the spring (Figs.

19,
20 and 21).

6. Position a safety stand under the

lower arm.

7.
Remove the cotter pin from the

nut on the upper ball joint stud, and

loosen the nut one or two turns. Do

not remove the nut from the stud at

this time.

8. Position the ball joint remover

tool between the upper and lower ball

joint studs as shown in Fig. 10. The

tool should seat firmly against the

ends of both studs and not against the

stud nuts.

9. Turn the tool with a wrench until

the tool places the studs under consid-

erable tension; then, hit the spindle

smartly near the upper stud with a

hammer to break the stud loose in the

spindle. Do not loosen the stud in the

spindle with tool pressure only. If

both arms are being removed, loosen

the lower stud in the same manner as

the upper stud.

10.
Remove the nut from the upper

stud and lift the stud out of the

spindle.

11.
Remove the upper arm inner

shaft attaching nuts from the engine

compartment, and remove the upper

arm.

12.
Wipe off all loose dirt from the

upper arm parts. Do not wash the ball

joint with a solvent.

Installation

1.
Position the upper arm on the

underbody mounting bracket, and in-

stall the nuts and lock washers on the

two inner shaft attaching bolts. The

specified keystone-type lock washers

must be used. Torque the nuts to

soecification.
2.
Position the upper ball joint stud

in the top of the wheel spindle, and in-

stall the stud nut. Torque the nut to

specification, and continue to tighten

it until the cotter pin hole and slots

line up. Install a new cotter pin.

3.
Release the coil spring, remove

the tool, and install the front shock

absorber and the wheel and tire.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Place a jack under the outer end

of the suspension lower arm and raise

the arm. Refer to Fig. 22.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the cotter pin from the

upper ball joint stud. Loosen the nut

one or two turns.

4.
Place a box wrench over the

lower end of the ball joint remover

tool, and position the tool as in Fig.

13.
The tool should seat firmly against

the ends of both studs, and not

against the upper stud nut.

5.
Turn the wrench until both studs

are under tension, and then, tap the

spindle with a hammer near the upper

stud to loosen it from the spindle. Do

not loosen the stud with tool pressure

alone. Remove the nut.

UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET

LOWER RETAINING BOLTS F 1490-A

FIG. 26—Removing or Installing

Front Shock Absorber—Typicalprocarmanuals.com