1969 FORD MUSTANG wheel bolts

03-02-08
Suspension

03-02-08

IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS

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.

UPPER BALL JOINT

REPLACEMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Raise the vehicle high enough to

provide working space, and place a

support under the lower arm. If a

chain hoist or a jack that has a nar-

row contact pad is to be used on the

bumper to raise the vehicle, distribute

the load along the bumper by using a

steel plate 3 or 4 inches long as a con-

tact pad to prevent damaging the

bumper.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Drill a
1/8-inch
hole through

each upper ball joint retaining rivet.

Using a large chisel, cut off the rivets.

4.
Remove the upper arm suspen-

sion bumper.

5.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

from the upper ball joint stud.

6. Place a box wrench over the

lower end of the ball joint remover

tool, and position the tool as in Fig. 7.

The tools should seat firmly against

the ends of both studs, and not

against the lower stud nut.

7.
Turn the wrench until both studs

are under tension, and then, with a

hammer, tap the spindle near the

upper stud to loosen the stud from the

spindle. Do not loosen the stud with

tool pressure alone. Remove the ball

joint.

8. 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.
F1436-A

FIG. 7—Disconnecting Ball

Joints—Typical

9. Attach the new ball joint to the

upper arm. Use only the specified

bolts,
and nuts. Do not rivet the new

ball joints to the arm. Torque the nuts

to specification.

10 Install the upper arm suspension

bumper. Torque the nut to specifica-

tion.
11.
Position the ball joint stud in

the spindle bore, and torque the at-

taching nut to specification. Install a

new cotter pin.

12.
Install the wheel and tire.

13.
Remove the safety stands, and

lower the vehicle.

14.
Check and, if necessary, adjust

caster, camber, and toe-in. Whenever

any part of the front suspension has

been removed and installed, front

wheel alignment must be checked.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Position a support between the

upper arm and frame side rail as

shown in Figs. 8 and 9; then, raise the

vehicle and position safety stands.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

from the upper ball joint stud.

4.
Position the ball joint remover

tool as shown in Fig. 10. The tool

should seat firmly against the ends of

both studs, and not against the lower

stud nut. It may be necessary to re-

move the lower ball joint cotter pin if

it prevents the tool from seating on

the lower stud.

5.
Turn the tool with a wrench until

both studs are under tension, and

then, with a hammer, tap the spindle

near the upper stud to loosen the stud

F 1496-A

FIG. 8—Upper arm Support—Mustangprocarmanuals.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

03-02-10
Suspension

03-02-10

lower
arm
free
to
drop
as
coil spring

tension
is
eased.
If a
chain hoist
or a

jack that
has
a
narrow contact
pad is

to
be
used
on the
bumper
to
raise
the

car, distribute
the
load along
the

bumper
by
using
a
steel plate
3 or 4

inches long
as a
contact
pad to pre-

vent damaging
the
bumper.

2.
If the
ball joint
is
riveted
to the

arm, drill
a
1/8-inch
pilot hole
com-

pletely through each rivet. Then drill

off
the
rivet head through
the
pilot

hole with
a
3/8-inch drill,
and
drive

out both rivets.

3.
Position
a
jack
or
safety stand

under
the
lower
arm, and
lower
the

vehicle about
6
inches
to
offset
the

coil spring tension.

4.
Remove
the
cotter
pin
from
the

ball joint stud,
and
remove
the nut.

5.
Place
a box
wrench over
the

lower
end
of the
tool shown
in
Fig.
7,

and position
the
tool.
The
tool should

seat firmly against
the end of
both

studs,
and
not
against
the
upper stud

nut.

6. Turn
the
wrench until both studs

are under tension,
and
then, with
a

hammer,
tap the
spindle near
the

lower stud
to
loosen
the
stud from
the

spindle.
Do not
loosen
the
stud with

tool pressure alone. 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. Position
the
stud
of
the
ball joint

to
the
spindle bore,
and
install
the at-

taching
nut
finger-tight.

9. Attach
the
ball joint
to
the
lower

arm.
Use
only
the
specified bolts
and

nuts.
Do not
rivet
the new
ball joint
to

the
arm.
Torque nuts
to
specification.

10.
Torque
the
ball joint stud
nut

to specification,
and
install
a
new cot-

ter
pin.

11.
Remove
the
jack.

12.
Check
and, if
necessary, adjust

caster, camber,
and
toe-in. Whenever

any part
of the
front suspension
has

been removed
and
installed, front

wheel alignment must
be
checked.

BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

The lower ball joint
is
riveted
to
the

lower
arm
wheras
the
upper ball joint

is bolted
to the
upper
arm.
When
re-

placing
a
ball joint,
use all the
parts

supplied
in the kit.
T57P-3006-A
UPPER
ARM

UPPER BALL JOINT

LOWER BALL JOINT
\
LOWER
ARM

T62F.3006-A
F
1493-A

FIG. 13— Loosening Ball Joint

Stud

Lower
Arm

1.
Raise
the
vehicle. Place
a sup-

port under each 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.
Remove
the
splash shield
and

gasket from
the
spindle.

6. Remove
the
cotter
pin
from
the

lower ball stud,
and
loosen
the nut

one
to two
turns.

7.
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.

8. Turn
the
wrench until both studs

are under tension,
and
then, with
a

hammer,
tap the
spindle near
the

lower stud
to
loosen
the
stud from
the

spindle.
Do not
loosen
the
stud with

tool pressure alone.

9. Place
a
jack under
the
spring

pocket
in the
lower
arm, and
raise
the
arm slightly. Place
a
support stand

under
the
lower
arm as a
safety
pre-

caution.

10.
Remove
the nut
from
the
ball

joint stud. Raise
the
upper
arm and

spindle until
the
spindle clears
the
ball

stud. Prop
the
upper
arm in a
raised

position.

11.
Remove
the
ball -joint rivet

heads with
a
chisel. Punch
the
remain-

ing portion
of the
rivets from
the

holes,
and
remove
the
joint.

12.
Install
the
new
joint using
the

parts supplied
in the kit.
Torque
the

nuts
to
specification. Make sure
the

joint
is
completely filled with
the
spec-

ified lubricant.

13.
Lower
the
upper
arm
while

guiding
the
spindle over
the
ball stud.

Install
the
stud
nut and
tighten
it to

specification. Continue
to
tighten
the

nut
to
line
up the
cotter
pin
hole.
In-

stall
the
cotter
pin.

14.
Install
the
gasket
and
shield
on

the spindle. Tighten
the
attaching

bolts
to
specifications.

15.
Install
the
hub and
rotor
on the

spindle
and
adjust
the
wheel bearings.

16.
Install
the
caliper
to
the
spindle

and tighten
the
attaching bolts
to

specifications. Check
for the
correct

flexible hose routing (Part
2-2).

17.
Install
the
wheel
and
tire.
Tor-

que
the
wheel nuts
to
specification
and

lower
the
vehicle.

Upper
Arm

1.
Place
a
jack under
the
outer
end

of
the
lower
arm,
and
raise
the arm.

Place
a
support stand under
the
side

rail
in the
lifting
pad
area.

2.
Remove
the
wheel
and
tire.

3.
Remove
the
cotter
pin
from
the

upper ball stud,
and
loosen
the nut

one
to 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, with
a

hammer,
tap the
spindle near
the

upper stud
to
loosen
the
stud from
the

spindle.
Do not
loosen
the
stud with

tool pressure alone.

6. Raise
the
upper
arm to
free
the

ball stud from
the
spindle. Wire
the

upper
end
of
the
spindle
to the
under-

body
to
prevent damage
to the
brake

hose.

7.
Remove
the
ball joint retaining

nuts
and
bolts,
and
remove
the
joint.

8. Install
the new
joint using
the

parts supplied
in the kit.
Torque
theprocarmanuals.com

03-02-11
Suspension

03-02-11

nuts to specification. Make sure that

the joint is completely filled with the

specified lubricant.

9. Guide the ball joint stud into the

spindle. Install the stud nut and tor-

que it to specification. Continue to

tighten the nut to line up the cotter

pin hole. Install the cotter pin.

10.
Install the wheel and tire. Tor-

que the wheel nuts to specification.

STABILIZER REPAIR

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

To replace the end bushings on each

stabilizer link, use the following pro-

cedure.

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2.
Remove the nut, washer and in-

sulator from the lower end of the sta-

bilizer bar attaching bolt.

3.
Remove the bolt and the remain-

ing washers(3) insulators (3) and the

spacer.

4.
Assemble a flat washer and a

new insulator on the bolt.

5.
Insert the bolt through the stabi-

lizer bar then install a new insulator

and a flat washer on it.

6. Install the spacer, flat washer

and another new insulator on the bolt

(Fig. 1).

7.
Insert the bolt through the lower

arm and install a new insulator and a

flat washer. Install and torque the at-

taching nut to specification.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Raise the vehicle high enough to

provide working space, and place sup-

ports under both front wheels.

2.
Disconnect the stabilizer from

each link. Disconnect both stabilizer

attaching brackets, and remove the

stabilizer.

3.
Coat the necessary parts of the

stabilizer with RUGLYDE or a com-

parable lubricant, and slide new insu-

lators onto the stabilizer.

4.
Secure each end of the stabilizer

bar to the lower arm making sure that

the bolt head is at the top (Fig. 2) to

eliminate interference with the brake

hose.

5.
Remove the supports and lower

the vehicle.
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER

ARM STRUT AND/OR

BUSHING

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Remove the cotter pin from the

lower arm strut at the frame front

crossmember and remove the nut,

washer, and bushing from the strut.

2.
Remove nuts, washers, and bolts

attaching the strut and rubber bumper

to the lower arm (Fig. 1).

3.
Pull the strut from the frame

crossmember.

4.
Remove the crossmember rear

side bushing and washer from the

strut.

5.
Place the crossmember rear side

washer and bushing on the strut and

position the strut to the frame and

lower arm.

6. Position the rubber bumper on

the strut and install the bolts, washer,

and nuts attaching the strut to the

lower arm. Torque the nuts and bolts

to specification.

7.
Install the bushing, washer, and

nut on the strut at the front cross-

member. Tighten the nut and install

the cotter pin.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust if necessary.

LOWER ARM STRUT AND/OR

BUSHING REPLACEMENT

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Position the support as shown in

Figs.
8 and 9 under the upper arm.
2.
Raise the vehicle, position safety

stands, and remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the cotter pin, castelated

nut and the adjustment nut from the

front of the strut.

4.
With two pry bars approximately

18 inches long, one at each side and at

the rear of the front washer, pry it

forward to separate the inner sleeve

from the outer sleeve. Remove the

front insulator from the strut (Fig.

26).

5.
Install the new rear washer

(large ID), outer sleeve and insulator

bushing on the forward end of the

strut rod.

6. Position the strut into the

crossmember and to the lower suspen-

sion arm. Install the strut-to-arm at-

taching bolts and nuts, and torque

them to specification.

7.
Install the forward insulator

washer (small ID), inner sleeve and

adjustment nut on the forward end of

the strut. The inner sleeve need not be

crimped to the outer sleeve.

8. Install the wheel and tire, re-

move the safety stands and lower the

vehicle. Remove the tool supporting

the upper arm.

9. Adjust the caster and camber to

specification.

10.
Install the castellated nut and

cotter pin.

DRIVE SHAFT PINION

ANGLE ADJUSTMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

The pinion-drive shaft working

angle must be checked and adjusted to

ADJUSTING

SCREW

F1432- A
F1503-A

FIG. 14—Alignment Spacer

Installation
FIG. 75—Positioning Tool On

U-Jointprocarmanuals.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

03-02-17
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