1969 FORD MUSTANG tire type

03-01-05
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-05

type of equipment is used, follow the

installation and inspection instructions

provided by the equipment manufactu-

rer.

CASTER

Check the caster angle at each front

wheel.

The caster is the forward or rear-

ward tilt of the top of the wheel

spindle (Fig. 12). If the spindle tilts to

the rear, caster is positive. If the

spindle tilts to the front, caster is neg-

ative. The correct caster angle, or tilt,

is specified in Part 3-13.

On Mustang, Cougar, Fairlane,

Falcon and Montego vehicles, the

maximum caster difference for check-

ing purposes must not exceed one de-

gree.
If setting is necessary, then the

maximum difference must not exceed

1/2 degree. On all other vehicles, the

maximum caster difference must never

exceed 1/2 degree.

CAMBER

Check the camber angle at each

front wheel.

Camber is the amount the front

wheels are tilted at the top (Fig. 12).

If a wheel tilts outward, camber is

positive. If a wheel tilts inward, cam-

ber is negative. The correct camber

angle, or outward (positive) tilt is

specified in Part 3-13.

On Mustang, Cougar, Fairlane,

Falcon and Montego vehicles, the

maximum camber difference for

checking purposes must not exceed

one degree. If setting is necessary,
then the maximum difference must

not exceed 1/2 degree. On all other

vehicles, the maximum camber differ-

ence must never exceed 1/2 degree.

TOE-IN

Alignment height spacers should not

be used to check and adjust toe-in.

Toe-in should only be checked and ad-

justed after the caster and camber

have been adjusted to specifications.

Check the toe-in with the front

wheels in the straight-ahead position.

Run the engine so that the power

steering control valve will be in the

center (neutral) position (if so

equipped). Measure the distance be-

tween the extreme front and also be-

tween the extreme rear of both front

wheels. The difference between these

two distances is the toe-in or toe-out.

Correct toe-in, or inward pointing

of both front wheels at the front is

specified in Part 3-13.

FRONT WHEEL

TURNING ANGLE

When the inside wheel is turned 20

degrees, the turning angle of the out-

side wheel should be as specified in

Part 3-13. The turning angle cannot

be adjusted directly, because it is a re-

sult of the combination of caster,

camber, and toe-in adjustments and

should, therefore, be measured only

after these adjustments have been

made. If the turning angle does not

measure to specifications, check the

spindle or other suspension parts for a

bent condition.
ALIGNMENT
MARKS

G-1496-A

FIG. I?—Straight Ahead Position

Marks—Typical

POSITIVE

CAMBER

• •
NEGATIVE-*!
| ^*—

CASTER

ICL
OF TIRE
POSITIVE

CASTER

5r\

CA&U

ANGlE
F1216-A

FIG. 72—Caster and Camber

Angles

COMMON ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS

After front wheel alignment factors

have been checked, make the neces-

sary adjustments. Do not attempt to

adjust front wheel alignment by bend-

ing the suspension or steering parts.

CASTER AND CAMBER

ADJUSTMENTS

FORD, MERCURY, METEOR,

THUNDERBIRDAND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Caster and camber is adjusted by

loosening the bolts that attach the

upper suspension arm inner shaft to

the frame side rail, and moving the

inner shaft in or out in the elongated

bolt holes with the tool shown in Fig.
13.
The tool should be installed with

the tool pins in the frame holes and

the hooks over the upper arm inner

shaft. Then, tighten the tool hook nuts

snug before loosening the upper arm

inner shaft attaching bolts.

Caster

To adjust the caster angle, tighten

the tool front hook nut or loosen the

rear hook nut (Fig. 14) as required to

increase caster to the desired angle.

To decrease caster, tighten the tool

rear hook nut or loosen the front

hook nut as required (Fig. 14). The

caster angle can be checked without

tightening the inner shaft attaching

bolts.
Check the camber adjustment to

be sure it did not change during the

caster adjustment and adjust if neces-
FIG. 73—Camber and Caster

Adjusting Toolprocarmanuals.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

03-01-11
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

03-02-16
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

03-02-17
Suspension

03-02-17

BOLT

REAR
ADJUSTMENT
5A486

NUT

BUSHING
OUTER
SLEEVE

3A187 3B282

CASTELLATED
FRONT
ADJUSTMENT

NUT
NUT
LOWER BALL JOINT

3042

F
1152-
E

FIG.
25—
Front
Suspension Assembly

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Position a support between the

upper arm and side rail as shown in

Figs.
8 and 9).

2.
Raise the vehicle, position safety

stands,
and remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the stabilizer bar and

link attaching nut. Disconnect the bar

from the link, and remove the link

bolt

4.
Remove the strut to lower arm

attaching nuts and bolts.

5.
Remove the cotter pin from the

nut on the lower ball joint stud, and

loosen the nut one or two turns. Do

not
remove the nut from the stud at

this
time.

6.
Straighten the cotter pin on the

upper ball joint stud nut. Position the

ball joint remover tool between the

upper and lower ball joint studs in the

reverse position from that shown in

Fig.
10. The tool should seat firmly

against the ends of both studs and not

against the stud nuts.

7.
Turn the tool with a wrench until

the tool places the studs under consid-

erable tension, and hit the spindle
near the lower stud smartly 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 upper stud in the same manner as

the lower stud.

8. Remove the nut from the lower

ball joint stud, and lower the arm.

9. Remove the lower arm to under-

body pivot bolt, nut and washer. Re-

move the lower arm.

Installation

1.
Position the lower arm to the

underbody bracket and install the

pivot bolt, washer, and nut loosely.

2.
Raise the lower arm, guide the

lower ball joint stud into the spindle

bore,
and install the stud attaching

nut loosely.

3.
Install the stabilizer link bolt,

washers,
bushings and spacer. Connect

the stabilizer bar to the link. Install

the attaching nut and torque to speci-

fications (Fig. 25).

4.
Position the strut to the lower

arm. Install the attaching bolts and

nuts,
and torque to specification.

5.
Torque the lower ball joint stud

nut to specification, continue to tight-

en the nut until the cotter pin hole

and slots are aligned, and install a

new cotter pin.
6. Torque the lower arm- to

underbody pivot bolt and nut to speci-

fication.

7.
Remove the safety stands and

lower the vehicle.

8. Remove the support from be-

tween the upper arm and frame.

9.
Check and, if necessary, adjust

caster, camber, and toe-in.

FRONT
SUSPENSION

UPPER
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

arm.

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 (Part

3-12).

4.
If equipped with disc brakes—re-

move the wheel and tire from the hub.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

03-02-19

Suspension

03-02-19

6. Raise the upper arm to free the

ball joint stud from the spindle. Wire

the upper end of the spindle to the un-

derbody to prevent damage to the

brake hose.

7.
Mark the position of the upper

arm shaft on the underbody member

to facilitate making caster and camber

adjustments after installation of the

upper arm.

8. Remove the suspension upper

arm-to-underbody attaching bolts,

lock washers, and attaching nuts.

Then, remove the upper arm.

Installation

1.
Position the upper arm shaft on

the underbody member. Line up the

shaft with the marks made before re-

moval of the arm.

2.
Install the attaching bolts and

lock washers. FABRICATE A

TOOL, AS SHOWN IN Fig. 27, to

hold the nut in place while starting the

attaching bolt into the nut. Remove

the tool; then, tighten the attaching

bolts to specification.

3.
Guide the ball joint stud into the

spindle. Install the attaching nut and

torque it to specification. Continue

tightening the nut to line up the cotter

pin hole. Install a new cotter pin.

4.
Install the wheel and tire, and

torque the wheel lug nuts to specifica-

tion.

5.
With the front end weight of the

car on the wheels, torque the bolts at

the ends of the upper arm shaft to

specification if the bushings were re-

placed.

6. Check the front wheel alignment.

FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle until the front

wheel clears the floor, and place a

support under the frame.

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 (Part

3-12). Remove the brake backing

plate attaching bolts and remove the

backing plate from the spindle. Wire

the backing plate to the underbody to

prevent damage to the brake hose.
1/16" GAUGE
-*.

STEEL (REFERENCE)

—3/16'
3/8'

1/2" DIAMETER PLUG WELD

F 1501-A

FIG. 27 -Upper Arm Shaft Installing Tool

4.
If equipped with disc brakes—re-

move the wheel and tire from the hub.

Remove 2 bolts and washers retaining

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 (Part 3-12). Remove 3

bolts attaching the splash shield to the

spindle and remove the splash shield.

5.
Remove the steering connecting

rod from the spindle arm with tool

OTC462.

6. Remove the cotter pins from

both ball joint stud nuts, and loosen

the nuts one or two turns. Do not re-

move the nuts from the studs at this

time.

7.
Install the ball joint remover tool

between the upper and lower ball joint

studs (Fig. 7). The tool sho.uld seat

firmly against the ends of both studs

and not against the stud nuts.

8. Turn the tool nut with a wrench

until the tool places the studs under

tension, and, with a hammer, tap the

spindle near the stud to loosen them

in the spindle. Do not loosen the studs

in the spindle with tool pressure only.

9. Position a floor jack under the

lower control arm.

10.
Remove the ball joint stud nuts

and lower the lower arm enough to re-

move the spring and the spindle.
Installation

1.
Position the spindle to the lower

ball joint stud and install the attaching

nut. Torque the nut to specification.

Continue to tighten the nut until the

cotter pin hole is in line with the slots

in the nut. Then, install the cotter pin.

2.
Position the spring and raise the

lower arm and guide and upper ball

joint stud into the spindle hole and in-

stall the attaching nut. Torque the nut

to specification and install the cotter

pin as outlined in the preceeding step.

3.
Remove the floor jack from

under the lower arm.

4.
Attach the steering connecting

rod to the spindle and install the nut.

Torque the nut to specification. Con-

tinue to tighten the nut until the cotter

pin hole is in line with the slots in the

nut. Then, install the cotter pin.

5.
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 Part 2-2. Install the wheel,

tire,
and drum to the spindle and ad-

just the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12).

6. If equipped with disc brak-

es—Install the splash shield on the

spindle and torque the attaching bolts

to specification (Part 3-13). Install theprocarmanuals.com

04-02-03
Rear Axle — Removable Carrier Type

04-02-03

is,
it is supported by bearings both in

front of and to the rear of the pinion

gear. Two opposed tapered roller

bearings support the pinion shaft in

front of the pinion gear with a col-

lapsible spacer for 8-3/4 inch or 9

inch ring gear, and a solid spacer used

with the 9 3/8 inch ring gear. A

straight roller (pilot) bearing supports

the pinion shaft at the rear of the pi-

nion gear. Pinion and ring gear tooth

contact is adjusted by adding or re-

moving shims from between the pinion

retainer and the carrier housing.

The differential assembly is mount-

ed on two opposed tapered roller

bearings, which are retained in the

carrier by removable caps. The entire

carrier assembly is bolted to the axle

housing.

Ball bearing assemblies (rear wheel

bearings) are pressed onto the outer

ends of the axle shafts and set in the

outer ends of the axle housing. These

bearings support the semi-floating

axle shafts at the outer ends. The

inner ends of the shafts spline to the

differential side gears. Bearing retain-

er plates hold the shafts in the hous-

ing. The left and right axle shafts are

not interchangeable, the left shaft

being shorter than the right.
CASE

COVER

BELLEVILLE

SPRING

CLUTC

HUB
STEEL

PLATES

BONDED

PLATES

E1741-A

FIG. 2—Limited-Slip Differential

LIMITED-SUP DIFFERENTIAL

The axle assembly, except for the

differential case and its internal com-

ponents, is identical to the convention-

al axle.

A constant-friction locking differen-

tial,
which employs clutch plates to

control differential action, is available

as optional equipment (Fig. 2).

Four steel clutch plates are locked

into the differential cover. Three

bronze, bonded clutch plates are

splined to a clutch hub which, in turn,
is splined to the left axle shaft. A

Belleville spring washer maintains a

constant pressure between the steel

and bonded clutch plates so that the

clutch is always engaged.

TRACTION-LOK

DIFFERENTIAL

The Traction-Lok (torque sensitive)

locking differential (Fig. 3) employs a

multiple disc clutch to control differ-

ential action. Shim(s), which control

side gear mounting distance, four

steel, four friction and one composite

plate (steel on one side and friction

material on the other) stacked on a

clutch hub, and four ear guides are

housed in the differential cover. Lo-

cated in the differential case between

the side gears is a one-piece pre-load

plate and block (four-pinion) and four

calibrated pre-load springs, which

apply an initial force to the clutch

pack. Additional clutch capacity is

derived from the side gear thrust

loads.
The four friction plates are

splined to the clutch hub which in turn

is splined to the left axle shaft, and

the eared steel plates are dogged to

the case; thus, the clutch is always en-

gaged.

PINION SHAFT

4211

PINION SHAFT

RETAINING PINS

359475-S
DIFFERENTIAL

CASE-4204

CASE-TO-COVER

RETAINING SCREWS

50025-S2

SIDE GEAR

THRUST WASHER

4228

CENTER BLOCK

(SHORT PINION PINION

SHAFT SEAT) SHAFT

4420 44207
7
PINION GEAR

THRUST WASHER

4230

PINION GEARS

4215

PINION GEAR

THRUST WASHER

4230

PINION SHAFT

44207
SHIM(S)

(AS REQ'D.)

4A324

DIFFERENTIAL

CASE COVER

4204

PINION GEAR

THRUST WASHER

4230
PRE-LOAD SPRING

PINION GEAR PLATE-4A326

THRUST WASHER

4230

CLUTCH PLATE

EAR GUIDES
(4)

4A323

E 1896-A

FIG. 3—Traction-Lok Differentialprocarmanuals.com