1969 FORD MUSTANG ECU

02-02-41
Brake System

02-02-41

bolt and G-ring in the bottom of the

master cylinder.

8. Install the bleed screw (if so

equipped). Install the gasket (dia-

phragm) in the master cylinder filler

cover. Position the gasket as shown in

Figs.
40 and 41. Make sure the gasket

is securely seated.

9. Install the cover and gasket on

the master cylinder and secure the

cover into position with the retainer.

DISC BRAKE CALIPER

ALL MODELS EXCEPT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Disassembly

1.
Remove the caliper assembly

from the vehicle as outlined in Section

2.

2.
Remove the caliper locating pins

from the caliper assembly and lift the

anchor plate from the caliper.

3.
Slide the two outer shoe retain-

ing clips off the retaining pins (Fig.

43).

4.
Remove the two retaining pins,

then remove the outer brake shoe

from the caliper.

5.
Slide the inner brake shoe out-

ward until it is free of the hold-down

springs, then remove the brake shoe.

6. Apply air pressure to the fluid

port in the caliper with a rubber

tipped nozzle (Tool 7000-DD) as

shown in Fig. 44 to remove the piston.

Place a cloth over the piston before

applying air pressure to prevent dam-

age to the piston. If the piston is

seized and cannot be forced from the

FIBER

BLOCK

CALIPER

PISTON

H 1574-B

FIG. 44 —Removing Piston From

Caliper —
All
Models Except

Lincoln Continental
caliper, tap lightly around the piston

while applying air pressure. Care

should be taken because the piston

can develop considerable force due to

pressure build-up.

7.
Remove the dust boot from the

caliper assembly.

8. Remove the rubber piston seal

from the cylinder and discard it.

Cleaning and Inspection

Clean all metal parts with isopropyl

alcohol or a suitable solvent. Use

clean, dry, compressed air to clean out

and dry the grooves and passage ways.

Be sure that the caliper bore and com-

ponent parts are completely free of

any foreign material.

Check the cylinder bore and piston

for damage or excessive wear. Replace

the piston if it is pitted, scored, or the

chrome plating is worn off.

Assembly

1.
Apply a film of clean brake fluid

to the new caliper piston seal and in-

stall it in the cylinder bore. Be sure

the seal does not become twisted and

that it is seated fully in the groove.

2.
Install a new dust boot by setting

the flange squarely in the outer groove

of the caliper bore.

3.
Coat the piston with the speci-

fied fluid and install the piston in the

cylinder bore. Spread the dust boot

over the piston as it is installed. Seat

the dust boot in the piston groove.

4.
Position the inner brake shoe so

that the ears of the shoe rests on the

top of the anchor plate bosses and be-

neath the hold-down springs.

5.
Install new caliper locating pin

insulators in the anchor plate.

6. Position the caliper on the an-

chor plate.

7.
Apply water or isopropyl alcohol

to the caliper locating pins and install

them loosely in the anchor plate. Be

sure the guide pins are free of oil,

grease or dirt.

8. Install the caliper on the spindle

as outlined under Disc Brake Caliper

Assembly.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Disassembly

Do not remove the bridge bolts that

hold the two halves of the caliper to-

gether. The two caliper housings are

shown separated in Fig. 46 for illus-

tration purposes only.
1.
Remove the caliper assembly

from the car as outlined in Section 2.

2.
Remove the two attaching bolts

and the caliper splash shield (Fig. 46).

3.
Remove the two shoe and lining

assemblies.

4.
Remove the flexible brake hose

from the caliper.

5.
Remove the external transfer

tube.

6. Remove the four dust boots from

the caliper housings and piston

grooves.

7.
Clamp the caliper in a vise and

secure it by the mounting flanges on

the inboard housing (Fig. 45).

8. Remove the four pistons from

the cylinder bores with the special tool

shown in Fig. 45. To prevent cocking

with consequent damage to the piston

or bore, rotate the piston with the tool

while pulling it outward at the same

time.
Be careful to avoid scratching or

damaging the outside diameter surface

or dust boot retaining groove of the

piston. Such damage causes poor seal-

ing.

If a piston is so completely seized in

the cylinder bore that it can not be re-

moved with the special tool, the cali-

per housing must be replaced, by posi-

tioning two screwdrivers in the piston

dust boot retaining groove and prying

outward. To prevent cocking, tap the

end of the piston lightly around the

circumference with a hammer, while

the prying force is being applied. Be

careful to avoid damaging the dust

boot retainer in the caliper housing

(Fig. 46). If this method of removal is

used, the pistons must be replaced.

If the caliper dust boot retainer or

retaining groove is damaged or

scratched, pry the retainer out of the

caliper housing with screwdrivers.

Too/-T65P-2
J
18- A

H 1652-A

FIG. 45—Removing or Installing

Pistons —
Lincoln
Continentalprocarmanuals.com

02-02-42
Brake System

02-02-42

CALIPER
ABUTMENTS

OUTBOARD
CALIPER HOUSING

DUST
BOOT RETAINING GROOVE

DUST
BOOT (4)
PISTON
SEAL (4)

EXTERNAL

TRANSFER
TUBE

SCREW

INBOARD
CALIPER HOUSING

FLEXIBLE
HOSE-^
H1367-C

FIG. 46—Caliper Assembly — Disassembled—Lincoln Continental

9. Remove the rubber piston seals

from the grooves in the cylinder bores

by carefully inserting the point of a

small knife or other pointed instru-

ment under the seal and raising the

seal up far enough to be pulled out

with the fingers.

Cleaning and Inspection

Clean all metal parts with isopropyl

alcohol or a suitable solvent (Fig. 46).

Use clean, dry, compressed air to

clean out and dry the grooves and

passage ways. Be sure that the caliper
bore and component parts are com-

pletely free of any foreign material.

Check the cylinder bores and pis-

tons for damage or excessive wear.

Replace the piston if it is pitted,

scored, or the chrome plating is worn

off. Check the caliper dust boot re-

tainer for wear or damage.

Assembly

1.
Clamp the caliper in a vise and

secure it by the mounting flange on

the inboard housing.

2.
Apply a film of clean brake fluid
to new caliper piston seals and install

them in the grooves of the cylinder

bore.
The seal should be positioned at

one area in the groove and gently

worked around. Do not use the origi-

nal seals.

3.
Install the new dust boots by set-

ting the flanges squarely in the outer

grooves of the caliper bores.

4.
Coat the pistons with the speci-

fied fluid and install the pistons inPthe

cylinder bores. Spread the dust boots

over the pistons as they are installed.

Seat the dust boots in the piston

grooves.

5.
Coat the outside diameter of the

pistons with brake fluid and install

them in the cylinder bores so that the

open end of the piston and ihe boot

retaining groove face out of the bore.

To avoid cocking, locate the piston

squarely in the bore and apply a slow

steady pressure. If a piston will not

easily go all the way into the bore, re-

move it and thoroughly inspect the

cylinder bore, the piston seal and the

installation of the seal. If the piston

still will not go in with bore in good

condition and the piston seal properly

installed, use the tool shown in Fig.

45.
Rotate the piston with the tool

while pushing it inward at the same

time.

6. Carefully install four new dust

boots on the caliper housings and pis-

tons.
Be sure that each boot is fully

seated in the groove of its respective

caliper housing and piston (Fig. 46).

Do not use the original dust boots.

7.
Install the external transfer tube.

8. Install the flexible brake hose to

the caliper.

9. Install the caliper assembly on

the spindle, and install the shoe and

lining assemblies and the splash shield

as outlined in Section 2. Check the

caliper for fluid leaks under maximum

pedal pressures. Do not move the car

until a firm brake pedal is obtained.procarmanuals.com

03-01-06
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-06

SUSPENSION UPPER

ARM MOVEMENT

Front Bolt Outboard

Rear Bolt Outboard

Front Bolt Inboard

Rear Bolt Inboard
CASTER CHANGE

Tilt Backward

Increase Positive Caster

or

Decrease Negative Caster

Tilt Forward

Decrease Positive Caster

or

Increase Negative Caster

Tilt Forward

Decrease Positive Caster

or

Increase Negative Caster

Tilt Backward

Increase Positive Caster

or

Decrease Negative Caster
CAMBER CHANGE

Tilt Outward

Increase Positive Camber

or

Decrease Negative Camber

Tilt Inward

Decrease Positive Camber

or

Increase Negative Camber

FIG. 14—Caster and Camber Adjustments

sary. Then, tighten the upper arm

inner shaft attaching bolts to specifi-

cation. Remove the adjusting bar

(Tool T65P-3OOO-D) and the align-

ment spacers (Tool T65P-3O00-E or

F).

Camber

To adjust the camber angle, install

the tool as outlined above (Fig. 13).

Loosen both inner shaft attaching

bolts and tighten or loosen the hook

nuts to move the inner shaft inboard

or outboard as necessary with Tool

T65P-3OOO-D to increase or decrease

camber (Fig. 13). The camber angle

can be checked without tightening the

inner shaft attaching bolts.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE, FALCON,

MONTEGO, MUSTANG

Be sure all the equipment listed in

Equipment Installation is installed be-

fore adjusting the caster and camber.

Caster is controlled by the front

suspension strut (Fig. 15). To obtain

positive caster, loosen the strut rear

nut and tighten the strut front nut

against the bushing. To obtain nega-

tive caster, loosen the strut front nut

and tighten the strut rear nut against

the bushing.

Camber is controlled by the eccen-

tric cam located at the lower arm at-

tachment to the side rail (Fig. 13).

To adjust the camber, loosen the

camber adjustment bolt nut at the

rear of the body bracket. Spread the

body bracket at the camber adjust-
TER ADJUSTMENT NUTS

EAR INSULATOR

WASHER
FRONT ADJUSTMENT NUT

INNER SLEEVE

TURN NUTS

REARWARD

TO OBTAIN

POSITIVE

CASTER
OUTER SLEEVE

RONT INSULATOR

WASHER

CASTELLATED

NUT

TURN NUTS

FORWARD

TO OBTAIN

NEGATIVE

CASTER

NEGATIVE

CAMBER

SPREAD THIS MEMBER AT

LOWER ARM PIVOT

BUSHING

PRY AT THESE POINTS'

F1371-A

FIG. J5—Caster and Camber Adjustments

ment bolt area just enough to permit

lateral travel of the arm when the ad-

justment bolt is turned. Rotate the

bolt and eccentric clockwise from the

high position to increase camber or

counterclockwise to decrease camber.

After the caster and camber has

been adjusted to specification, torque

the lower arm eccentric bolt nut and

the strut front nut to specification.
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Preliminary Steps

1.
With the car properly positioned

and wheel alignment measuring equip-

ment properly installed, raise the hood

and scribe chalk marks around the

bolts and lock washers that secure theprocarmanuals.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

03-02-11
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

03-02-22
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

03-02-25
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