1969 FORD MUSTANG axle

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

03-02-12
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

03-02-21
Suspension

03-02-21

8. 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 stud nuts.

9. Turn the wrench until both studs

are under tension, and then, tap the

spindle with a hammer near the studs

to loosen them from the spindle. Do

not loosen
the
studs with tool pressure

alone.

10.
Place a jack under the outer

end of the lower arm, and raise the

arm several inches. Remove both ball

stud nuts, and remove t^e spindle.

Installation

1.
Position the new spindle onto the

upper and lower ball joint studs, in-

stall the stud nuts and tighten the nuts

to specifications. Continue to tighten

both nuts until the cotter pin holes

line up with the slots, then install new

cotter pines.

2.
Connect the spindle connecting

rod to the spindle arm. Install the re-

taining nut and tighten the nut to

specification. Continue to tighten the

nut until the cotter pin hole lines up

with the slot, then install a new cotter

pin.

3.
Install the gasket and splash

shield on the spindle. Tighten the at-

taching bolts to specifications.

4.
Install the hub and rotor on the

spindle.

5.
Install the caliper to the spindle

and tighten the attaching bolts to spe-

cifications. Check for the correct flex-

ible hose routing (Part 2-2).

6. Install the wheel and tire and ad-

just the wheel bearings (Part 3-12).

7.
Lubricate the steering stop on

the lower arm and the mating flat on

the spindle with the specified lubri-

cant.

8. Remove the safety stands, lower

the car and check camber, caster and

toe-in.

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER

REPLACEMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Remove the nut, washer, and

bushing from the shock absorber

upper end.

2.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

install safety stands.
3.
Remove 2 bolts attaching the

shock absorber to the lower arm and

remove the shock absorber.

4.
Place a washer and bushing on

the shock absorber top stud and posi-

tion the shock absorber inside the

front spring. Install the 2 lower at-

taching bolts and torque them to spe-

cifications.

5.
Remove the safety stands and

lower the vehicle.

6. Place a bushing and washer on

the shock absorber top stud and in-

stall the attaching nut. Torque it to

specification.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1. Raise the hood and remove 3

shock absorber upper mounting

bracket-to-spring tower attaching

nuts.

2.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

place safety stands under the lower

arms.

3.
Remove 2 shock absorber lower

attaching nuts and washers.

4.
Lift the shock absorber and

upper bracket from the spring tower

(Fig. 26) and remove the bracket from

the shock absorber.

Installation

1. Install the upper mounting

bracket on the shock absorber and

torque to specification.

2.
Position the shock absorber and

upper mounting bracket in the spring

tower, making sure the shock absor-

ber lower studs are in the pivot plate

holes.

3.
Install the 2 washers and attach-

ing nuts on the shock absorber lower

studs and torque to specification.

4.
Install the 3 shock absorber

upper mounting bracket-to-spring

tower attaching nuts and torque to

specification. Then, remove the safety

stands and lower the vehicle.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Remove the stud nut at the

upper eye of the shock absorber. Re-

move the upper eye stud bracket to

crossmember attaching bolt and re-

move the stud bracket. Refer to Fig.

22.
2.
Remove the bolts which attach

the shock absorber to the suspension

lower arm. Lower, and remove the

shock absorber.

3.
Examine the shock absorber unit

and rubber bushings. Replace parts

that are defective, deteriorated, or

worn.

Installation

1. Fully extend the shock absorber

and position it inside the coil spring.

Connect the lower end of the shock

absorber to the suspension lower arm.

Torque the attaching nuts to specifica-

tion.

2.
Insert the upper bracket stud

through the bushing in the shock ab-

sorber upper eye. Install the stud

bracket to crossmember attaching

bolt. Do not tighten the bolt: at this

time.

3.
Install the upper eye bracket

stud nut. Torque the nut to specifica-

tion.

4.
Torque the stud bracket- to-

crossmember attaching bolt to specifi-

cation.
The
shock absorber upper
eye

stud
nut
must
be
tightened
to com-

press
the
rubber bushing before
the

stud bracket
is
bolted
to the

crossmember;
otherwise,
the
upper
at-

tachment could
be
loose
and
noisy.

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

REPLACEMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK 1(11

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2.
Remove the shock absorber at-

taching nut, washer and insulator

from the upper stud at the upper side

of the spring upper seat. Compress the

shock absorber to clear the hole in the

spring seat, and remove the inner in-

sulator and washer from the upper at-

taching stud.

3.
Remove the self-locking attach-

ing nut, and disconnect the shock ab-

sorber lower stud from the mounting

bracket on the rear axle housing (Fig.

4).

4.
Expel all air by performing step

3 On Vehicle Tests in Part 3-1.

5.
Place the inner washer and insu-

lator on the upper attaching stud, and

position the shock absorber so that

the upper attaching stud enters the

hole in the spring upper seat. While

holding the shock absorber in this po-

sition, install the outer insulator andprocarmanuals.com

03-02-22
Suspension

03-02-22

washer and the nut on the upper stud

from the upper side of the spring

upper seat. Torque the nut to specifi-

cations.

6. Extend the shock absorber and

locate the lower stud in the hole in

mounting bracket on the rear axle

housing. Install a new self-locking at-

taching nut and torque to specifica-

tion.

MUSTANG AND COUGAR

Removal

1.
Disconnect the shock absorber

from the spring clip plate (Fig. 30).

2.
Remove the shock absorber ac-

cess cover from the luggage compart-

ment (Fig. 28).-(On convertible mod-

els,
remove the rear seat and seat

back to reach the access cover.)

SHOCK ABSORBER ACCESS COVER
SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER ATTACHING NUT

LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT

FLOOR PANEL

F 1489-A

FIG. 28—Rear Shock Absorber

Access Cover

3.
Remove the shock absorber

upper attaching nut.

4.
Compress the shock absorber

and remove it from the vehicle. Re-

move the bushings and washers from

the shock absorber studs.

Installation

1.
Place the bushing and inner

washer on the shock absorber stud.

2.
Connect the upper stud to the

mounting, and install the bushing,
ACCESS COVER

F 1488-A

FIG. 29—Rear Shock Absorber

Upper Mounting

outer washer, and new nut on the

stud. Torque the nut to specification,

and install the cover.

3.
Connect the lower stud to the

spring clip plate, and install the bush-

ing, outer washer, and new nut on the

stud. Be sure that spring clip plate is

free of burrs. Tighten the nut to speci-

fication.

MONTEGO, FALCON, AND

FAIRLANE (EXCEPT

CONVERTIBLE)

Removal

1.
Open the luggage compartment

door, and remove the spare wheel and

tire.

On the Ranchero, remove the at-

taching screws, and lift the forward

half of the floor panel from the body;

then, remove the access cover from

the opening in the floor pan over the

shock absorber.

On station wagons, remove the ac-

cess cover from the opening in the

seat riser over the shock absorber.

2.
Fold back the floor mat and re-

move the shock absorber access cover

from the floor pan. Remove the nut,

outer washer, and rubber bushing that

attach the shock absorber to the upper

mounting in the floor pan (Fig. 29).

3.
Raise the vehicle and remove the

attaching nut, outer washer and bush-

ing from the shock absorber at the

spring clip plate (Fig. 30). Compress

the shock absorber and remove it

from the vehicle.

4.
If the shock absorber is service-

able and requires new bushings, remove

the inner bushings and washers from

the shock absorber studs.

Installation

1.
Place the inner washer and bush-

ing on each shock absorber stud.
2.
Expand the shock absorber and

position it to the spring clip plate and

to the mounting in the floor pan.

3.
Connect the lower stud to the

spring clip plate, and install the bush-

ing, outer washer, and new nut on the

stud (Fig. 30). Be sure the spring clip

plate is free of burrs.

On the Ranchero, after tightening

the nut to specification, install the for-

ward half of the floor panel.

4.
From the luggage compartment,

install the bushing outer washer and

new attaching nut to the upper mount-

ing stud (Fig. 29). Torque to specifica-

tion. On a station wagon, replace the

floor bed panel (14 screws).

5.
Place the spare wheel and tire in

the luggage compartment, and secure

it in the storage position.

MONTEGO AND FAIRLANE

CONVERTIBLE

Removal

1.
Remove the rear seat cushion

and seat back.

2.
Partially raise the vehicle on a

hoist. With an assistant under the ve-

hicle holding the shock absorber, re-

move the nut from the top of the

shock absorber.

3.
Remove the lower shock absor-

ber attaching nut and remove the

shock absorber.

Installation

1.
Position the washers and bush-

ings on the shock absorber and posi-

tion the shock absorber to the lower

attachment. Install the bushing, outer

washer, and new attaching nut and

torque the nut to specification (Part

3-13).

2.
Lower the vehicle and install the

bushing, outer washer, and new at-

taching nut on the top of the shock

absorber. Torque the nut to specifica-

tion.

3.
Install the rear seat back and

seat cushion.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Lift the vehicle and place support

stands under the axle housing. Posi-

tion the vehicle with a hoist to relieve

tension on the shock absorbers.

2.
Remove the screws that attach

the shock absorber mounting plate to

the crossmember (Fig. 31).procarmanuals.com

03-02-23
Suspension

03-02-23

SEDAN MODELS ONLY-

SPRING CLIPS
5705
,^-::^^^^SSSS^

^CS^.-''' .--'""-.'.'""'"* D D
A
f~
V
C
T

BRACKET

(STATION WAGON-

AND RANCHERO

ONLY) 5610

INSULATOR RETAINER

5736

INBOARD

SHACKLE

BUSHING

5791

... ».IA-

vae.

FRONT HANGER

INBOARD BUSHING

FRONT HANGER

OUTBOARD BUSHING
REAR

SHACKLE

ASSEMBLY

5776

OUTBOARD SHACKLE

BUSHING

5791

LOWER INSULATOR 5732

INSULATOR PLATES

(H.D.
STATION WAGON

AND RANCHERO) 5A584

SPRING CLIP PLATE

(STATION WAGON

AND RANCHERO

ONLY) 5798-99

SPRING HANGER

MOUNTING BOLT

HANGER

FIG. 30—Rear Spring and Shock Absorber—Typical

3.
Remove the attaching nut and

washers from the lower end of the

shock absorber.

4.
Remove the shock absorber.

5.
Remove the nut, outer washer,

and insulator that attach the shock

absorber to the mounting plate; then

remove the plate.

6. Inspect the shock absorber for

damage or leaks. If the bushing must

be replaced, the operation may be per-

formed without the use of special

tools.
Wet the rubber bushing with a

soap solution and press it into the

shock absorber eye by hand. Repla-

cethe insulators if they appear worn or

damaged.

Installation

1.
Place the inner washer and insu-

lator on the upper (stud) end of the

shock absorber (Fig. 31).
2.
Install the mounting plate, outer

insulator, washer and nut on the stud.

Torque the nut to specification.

3.
Attach the mounting plate and

shock absorber to the crossmember

with the attaching screws and washers.

Torque the screws to specifications.

4.
Connect the lower end of the

shock absorber to the mounting stud

with the washers and attaching nut.

Torque the nut to specification.

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

LOWER MOUNTING STUD

REPLACEMENT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

If the shock absorber mounting stud

is damaged, replace the stud as fol-

lows:
F 1487-A

1.
Cut off the old stud as close to

the bracket as possible.

2.
Grind off the weld at both ends

of the stud and bracket face.

3.
Drive out the balance of the stud

with a brass drift. Do not enlarge the

hole in the bracket.

4.
Remove any weld remaining on

the sides of the bracket.

5.
Attach the service stud to the

axle housing bracket with a nut. Tor-

que the nut to specification.

6. Stake the nut to prevent loos-

ening.

REAR SPRING

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist with

the hoist under the rear axle housing.procarmanuals.com

03-02-24

Suspension

03-02-24

LOCK NUT

INSULATOR

NG

NUT

MOUNTING STUD

WASHER

LOCK WASHER

FIG. 31—Rear Shock Absorber Mounting
F1486-A

TRACK BAR

MOUNTING

STUD AXLE

VENT
SHOCK

ABSORBER

MOUNTING

BRACKET
SHOCK

ABSORBER

MOUNTING

BRACKET

V-V.

FIG. 32—Removing or Installing Rear Spring—Typical
COIL SPRING

F1438-A

Place jack stands under the frame side

rails.

2.
Disconnect the lower studs of the

two rear shock absorbers from the

mounting brackets on axle housing.
3.
Lower the hoist and axle housing

until the coil springs are released (Fig.

32).

4.
Remove the springs and the insu-

lators from the vehicle.
Installation

1.
Position the spring in the upper

and lower seats with an insulator be-

tween each seat and the spring.

2.
Raise the hoist and axle housing

with the spring in position and con-

nect the lower studs of the rear shock

absorbers to the mounting brackets on

the axle housing. Install the attaching

nuts,
and torque to specifications.

3.
Remove the jack stands and

lower the vehicle.

REAR SUSPENSION

LOWER ARM

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

place jack stands under the frame side

rails.

2.
Remove the attaching nut and

bolt from the frame track bar mount-

ing bracket and disconnect the bar

from the stud (Fig. 4).

3.
Lower the axle enough to relieve

spring pressure.

4.
Support axle under differential

pinion nose as well as under axle.

5.
Remove the lower arm pivot bolt

and nut from the axle bracket. Then,

disengage the lower arm from the

bracket.

6. Remove the pivot bolt and nut

from the frame bracket and remove

the lower arm from the vehicle.

Installation

The rear suspension lower arms are

not interchangeable. The lower arm

for the left side can be identified by

notches in the bushing flange (Fig. 4).

The right arm does not have the

notches.

1.
Position the lower arm in the

bracket on the frame side rail. Install

a new pivot bolt and new nut (Fig.

33).
Do not tighten the nut at this

time.

2.
Position the lower arm to the

axle bracket and install a new bolt

and new nut (Fig. 33). Do not tighten

the nut at this time.

3.
Raise the axle.

4.
Install alignment spacers be-

tween the rear axle and frame (Fig. 3,

Part 3-1). Then, torque the lower armprocarmanuals.com

03-02-25
Suspension

03-02-25

pivot bolts and nuts to specification

(Part 3-13).

5.
Connect the track bar to the

frame bracket with a new nut and

bolt. Torque the nut to specification

(Part 3-13).

6. Remove the alignment spacers

and jack stands and lower the vehicle.

REAR SUSPENSION-

UPPER ARM

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK HI

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle and support the

frame side rails with jack stands.

2.
Support the rear axle, then dis

connect the track bar from the frame

bracket.

3.
Lower the axle and support axle

under differential pinion nose, as well

as under axle.

4.
Remove the nut, bolt and two

washers that attach the upper arm to

the axle housing. Disconnect the arm

from the housing.

5.
Remove the nut and bolt that se-

cures the upper arm to the crossmem-

ber and remove the arm.

Installation

1.
Hold the upper arm in place on

the crossmember and install a new at-

taching bolt, a new lockwasher and a

new nut. Do not tighten the nut at this

time.

2.
Secure the upper arm to the axle

housing with a new attaching bolt,

two washers and a new nut. Do not

tighten the nut at this time.

3.
Install alignment spacers be-

tween the rear axle housing and

frame.

4.
Connect the track bar to the

frame bracket with a new nut and

bolt. Torque the nut to specifications.

5.
Torque the upper arm front nut

to specification. Remove the align-

ment spacers and the jack stands.

6. Adjust the pinion angle and tor-

que the rear nut to specification.

7.
Lower the vehicle.

TRACK BAR

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK HI

1.
Raise the vehicle on an axle con-

tact hoist.
FRONT PIVOT BOLT
LOWER ARM
REAR PIVOT BOLT NUT

F1439-A

FIG. 33—Rear Suspension Lower Arm Installed

Tool-T64K-5781-B4 (Thrust
Washer)

FIG. 34—Rear Spring Front Bushing Removal—Typical
F 1485. A

2.
Remove rubber cover at axle at-

tachment on track bar.

3.
Remove the nut and washer at-

taching the track bar to the upper arm

bracket and disengage the track bar

from the mounting stud (Fig. 33).

4.
Remove the nut and bolt attach-

ing the track bar to the frame side rail

and remove the track bar.

5.
Position the track bar to the

frame side rail and install a new at-

taching bolt and new nut.

6. Position the track bar on the

upper arm bracket mounting stud and

install a new washer and a new at-

taching nut. Torque the track bar at-

taching bolt and nuts to specification

(Part 3-13). Lubricate rubber cover

with synthetic rubber lubricant and in-

sert over end of stud onto washer.

Then, lower the vehicle.
REAR SPRING AND/OR BUSHING

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

place supports beneath the underbody

and under the axle.

2.
Disconnect the lower end of the

shock absorber from the spring clip

plate and push the shock out of the

way. Remove the supports from under

the axle.

3.
Remove the spring clip plate

nuts from the U-bolts; then, remove

the plate (Fig. 31). Raise the rear axle

just enough to remove the weight from

the spring.

4.
Remove the two attaching nuts,

and rear shackle bar, and the two

shackle inner bushings.procarmanuals.com

03-02-26
Suspension

03-02-26

T64K-578 7-B2 (Adapter)

-83 (Nut)

(Bolt)

SPRING FRONT
EYE

Tool-T64K-5781-B2 (Adapter)
BUSHING

F 1484-A

FIG. 35—Rear Spring Front Bushing Installation—Typical

5.
Remove
the
rear shackle assem-

bly
and the two
outer bushings.

6. Remove
the
front hanger bolt,

nut,
and
washer from
the eye at the

forward
end of the
spring. Lift
out the

spring assembly.

7.
If the
front bushing
is
being
re-

placed, assemble
the
special tool
com-

bination
to the
bushing
in the
spring

front
eye as
shown
in
Fig.
34.

8. While holding
the
tool
nut,
tight-

en
the
tool bolt against
the
tool thrust

washer,
the
adapter,
and
detail
Al.

This operation will force
the
bushing

out
of the
spring
eye
into detail
A4 of

the tool
as
shown.

Installation

During rear suspension leaf spring

assembly replacement
in
service,
all

used attaching components must
be

discarded
and
replaced with
new com-

ponents.

1.
Assemble
the
bushing
and the

special tool combination
to the
spring

front
eye as
shown
in Fig. 35.

2.
While holding
the
tool
nut,
tight-

en
the
tool bolt against
the
tool thrust

washer, adapter,
and
detail
A4 to

force
the
bushing into
the
spring
eye

as shown.

3.
Position
the
spring under
the

rear axle
and
insert
the
shackle
as-

sembly into
the
rear hanger bracket

and
the
rear
eye of the
spring.
4.
Install
the
shackle inner bush-

ings,
the
shackle plate,
and the
lock-

nuts.
Tighten
the
locknuts finger-tight.

5.
Position
the
spring front
eye in

the front hanger, slip
the
washer
on

the front hanger bolt,
and
(from
the

inboard side) insert
the
bolt through

the hanger
and
eye. Install
the
locknut

on
the
hanger bolt
and
tighten finger-

tight.

6. Lower
the
rear axle until
it
rests

on
the
spring. Position
the
spring clip

plate
on the
clips (U-bolts). Install
the

U-bolt nuts
and
torque
to
specifica-

tion.

7.
Connect
the
lower
end of the

shock absorber
to the
spring clip plate

using
a new nut if
working
on a sta-

tion wagon
or
Ranchero.

8. Place safety stands under
the

rear axle, lower
the
vehicle until
the

spring
is in the
approximate curb load

position,
and
then torque
the
front

hanger stud locknut
to
specification.

9. Torque
the
rear shackle locknuts

to specification.

10.
Remove
the
safety stands
and

lower
the
vehicle.

REAR SPRING

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Raise
the
vehicle
and
place
sup-

port stands under
the
sidemembers
on
the rear
of
each rear spring hanger.

2.
Lower
the
rear axle slightly
to

reduce some
of the
spring load; then,

remove
the
spring U-bolts.

3.
Remove
the
nuts, lock washers

and front mounting stud. Refer
to

Fig.
6.

4.
Remove
the
rear shackle nuts

and mounting plate. Remove
the

lower inner insulator. Remove
the

spring.
If the
rear shackle insulators

are
to be
replaced,
it
will
be
necessary

to remove
the
rear hanger assembly.

(Hanger attaching bolts must
be tor-

qued
to
specification when rein-

stalled.)

5.
Remove
the
insulators from
the

spring.

6. Examine
all
parts
for
wear
or

damage. Note
the
condition
of the

spring center bolt.

7.
The
spring center bolt
can be re-

placed
by
clamping
the
spring
in a

vise,
thus keeping
the
spring
com-

pressed during bolt removal
and in-

stallation.

Installation

1.
Attach
the
spring
and
bushing
to

the front hanger. Torque
the
outboard

nut
to
specifications.
Do not
tighten

the inboard
nut at
this time.

2.
Install
the
spring
to the
rear

shackle assembly with
the
insulators

in position.
Do not
tighten
the
nuts
at

this time. Refer
to Fig. 6.

3.
Place
the
insulator
and
retainers

in position
on the
spring.

4.
Lower
the
axle housing onto
the

insulator
and
retainer assembly.

If
a
wedge
was
located between
the

upper retainer
and
mounting
pad,

reinstall
the
same thickness wedge

with
the
taper
in the
original direc-

tion. Raise
the
axle until
the
spring
is

approximately horizontal with
the

floor.

5.
Install
the
lower insulator retain-

er
and
U-bolts.
Do not
tighten
the U-

bolt nuts
at
this time. Torque
the
rear

shackle nuts
to
specifications.

6. Torque
the
inboard
nut at the

front
eye to
specification.

7.
Tighten
the
U-bolt nuts evenly
to

the specified torque.

8. Make sure
the
lower insulator

retainer contacts
the
upper retainer.procarmanuals.com