1969 FORD MUSTANG torque

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

03-02-27

Suspension

03-02-27

MAJOR
REPAIR OPERATIONS

FRONT
SUSPENSION UPPER

ARM
BUSHINGS—ARM

REMOVED

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Remove the nuts and washers

from both ends of the upper arm inner

shaft.

2.
Install Tool T65P-3044-A1 on

the inner shaft and place Tool T65P-

3044-A3 inside the upper arm around

the inner shaft (Fig. 36).

F1440-A

FIG.
36—Removing Upper Arm

Bushings

3.
Position the upper arm in an

arbor press on Tool T65P-3044-A4

(Fig. 36), and press the lower bushing

out of the upper arm.

4.
Remove the bushing from the

inner shaft; turn the assembly over

and remove the bushing from the

other side of the arm. It may be nec-

essary to remove Tool T65P-3044-A1

from the inner shaft and remove the

shaft from the arm to remove the

bushing from the shaft. Then, install

the tool on the shaft and remove the

other bushing.

5. Position the shaft and bushings

to the upper arm and install the bush-
ings and inner shaft in the upper arm

as shown in Fig. 37.

6. Install a washer and new nut on

each end of the inner shaft.
PRESS
RAM

Tool—3069-AA

Tool
- T65P

3044
- A3
Tool
- T65P

3044
- A2

F1441-A

FIG.
37—Installing Upper Arm

Shaft
Bushings

LOWER
ARM OVERHAUL-

ARM
REMOVED

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Inspect the lower arm, bushings and

pivot bolt for cracks, bends, wear or

other damage. Replace the arm if nec-

essary.

1. If the ball joint requires replace-

ment, remove the rivet heads with a

chisel. Punch the remaining portion of

the rivets from the holes.

Do not wash the ball joint with sol-

vent. The solvent may attack parts

within the joint.

2.
If the bushing requires replace-

ment, press it out of the arm with

Tool 3069—details H, AA, and AA2

(Fig. 38).

3.
Apply silicone or liquid soap to

the shell of the new bushing. Place the

bushing in the arm with the flange end

(large end) of the bushing at the front

of the arm.

4.
Press the bushing into the arm

until the shoulder on the bushing shell

seats against the arm. Use tool

3069—details H, AA2, and M5 (Fig.

39).
F
1483-A

FIG.
38—Removing Lower Arm

Bushing

PRESS

RAM

1482-A

FIG.
39—Installing Lower Arm

Bushing

5.
If the ball joint was removed, in-

stall the new joint using the parts sup-

plied in the ball joint kit. Torque the

nuts to specification. Make sure the

joint is completely filled with the spec-

ified lubricant.

UPPER
ARM OVERHAUL-

ARM
REMOVED

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Inspect the upper arm and the inner

shaft for cracks, bends or other dam-

age.
Replace the parts as required.

Replacement arms come with the

bushings, inner shaft, and ball joint

installed. If the original arm is to beprocarmanuals.com

03-03-02

Automatic Air Leveling System

03-03-02

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

AIR COMPRESSOR

REMOVAL

1.
Slip the vacuum line off the in-

take fitting on the side of the com-

pressor (Fig. 2).

2.
Disconnect the output line from

the rear of compressor.

3.
Remove the three compressor at-

taching nuts from the bracket. Lift the

compressor from the mounting brack-

et.

INSTALLATION

1.
Place the star washer on each in-

sulator. Position the compressor on

the mounting bracket and install and

torque the three attaching nuts to

specifications.

2.
Connect the vacuum line to the

intake fitting at the side of the com-

pression.

3.
Start the engine and check the

compressor output.

4.
Connect the output line to the

nylon fitting at the rear of the com-

pressor (Fig. 2).

HEIGHT CONTROL VALVE

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist. It
may be more convenient to support

the rear of the frame with two jack

stands and lower the, axle to provide

greater accessability to the valve.

2.
Disconnect the compressor line

from the intake port of the height

control valve (Fig. 3).

3.
Disconnect the air cylinder line

from the rear of the height control

valve.

4.
Disconnect the link from the

height control valve lever.

5.
Remove the two control valve-

to-mounting bracket attaching screws

and remove the valve.

INSTALLATION

1.
Position the height control valve

to the mounting bracket and install

the two attaching screws. Torque the

screws to specification.

2.
Connect the link to the height

control valve lever.

3.
Connect the compressor line to

the height control valve.

4.
Connect the air cylinder line to

the height control valve.

5.
Set the height control valve lever

as required to obtain the correct trim

height.

6. After obtaining the correct trim
height, check the operation of the air

leveling system.

AIR CYLINDER

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist with

the hoist under the rear axle housing.

Place jack stands under the frame side

rails.

2.
Disconnect the air cylinder line

from the fitting on the lower end of

the cylinder (Fig. 4).

3.
Lower the hoist and axle housing

until the rear shock is fully extended.

4.
Squeeze all air from the bag and

install the valve cap.

5.
Remove the air cylinder from the

rear spring.

INSTALLATION

1.
Make sure all the air is out of

the bag and the valve cap is on.

2.
Position the air cylinder in the

spring with the inlet at the lower end.

3.
Remove the valve cap and con-

nect the air cylinder line to the cylin-

der.

4.
Remove the jack stands and

lower the vehicle.

VACUUM INTAKE LINE

INSULATORS

NYLON FITTING

MOUNTING BRACKET

FIG. 2—Compressor Installed
STAR WASHERS

COMPRESSOR
F 1364-Aprocarmanuals.com

03-04-02
Automatic Air Leveling System — Lincoln Continental

03-04-02

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

COMPRESSOR

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

place jack stands under frame side

rails.

2.
Turn the front wheels all the way

to the right. Working from the und-

erside of the left front fender, remove
the three shield attaching screws (Fig.

2).

3.
Disconnect the one vacuum line,

clean air intake line and the two pres-

sure lines from the compressor.

4.
Remove the two compressor

mounting bracket attaching bolts. Re-

move the bracket and compressor as

an assembly.

5.
Remove the three compressor to

bracket attaching nuts. Separate the

compressor from the bracket.
INSTALLATION

1.
Assemble the compressor and in-

sulators to the mounting bracket. In-

stall and torque the three nuts to spec-

ification.

2.
Position the compressor mount-

ing bracket and compressor and se-

cure with the two attaching nuts. Tor-

que the nuts to specification.

3.
Connect the vacuum line (coded

with a red stripe), clean air intake line

BRACKET
AND
COMPRESSOR
MUST
BE

ASSEMBLED
TOGETHER
PRIOR
TO

INSTALLATION
IN
VEHICLE
BOLT MUST
BE IN
PLACE

PRIOR
TO
INSTALLATION

OF
SUPPORT
INTO
VEHICLE

FIG. 2—Compressor Installation

CROSSMEMBER

EXHAUST
VALVE PORT

OVER
TRAVEL
LEVER

REAR AXLE
HOUSING

F1400-A

3—Height Control Valve
F1420-A

and the two pressure lines (Fig. 2) to

the compressor.

4.
Install the shield and three at-

taching screws.

5.
Remove the jack stands and

lower the vehicle.

HEIGHT CONTROL VALVE

REMOVAL

1.
Exhaust all air from system.

2.
Raise the rear of the vehicle and

support it with jack stands.

3.
Disconnect the link from the

height control valve arm.

4.
Disconnect the air inlet and the

outlet line from the valve.

5.
Remove the two control valve

mounting bracket attaching bolts (Fig.

3) and remove the valve.

INSTALLATION

1.
Position the height control valve

and install the two attaching bolts.

Torque the bolts to specification.

2.
Connect the air inlet and theprocarmanuals.com

03-04-03
Automatic Air Leveling System — Lincoln Continental

03-04-03

outlet lines to their respective parts.

3.
Adjust the trim height as de-

tailed in Section 4.

4.
Connect the link to the arm.

5.
Remove the jack stands and

lower the vehicle.

SUPER LIFT SHOCK ABSORBER

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle and place jack

stands under the axle to compress the

super lift.

2.
Loosen the air line or lines (right

super lift) slowly to release the air
from the system. Then, disconnect the

line or lines.

3.
Remove the three mounting plate

attaching screws from the upper end

of the super lift.

4.
Remove the attaching nut and

washer from the lower end of the

super lift and remove it from the vehi-

cle.

5.
Remove the nut, outer washer

and the insulator that attach the super

lift to the mounting plate. Remove the

plate, remaining insulator and washer.

INSTALLATION

1.
Position a washer, insulator,

mounting plate, insulator, washer and
nut on the stud at the upper end of

the super lift. Torque the nut to speci-

fication.

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 to specifica-

tions.

4.
Connect the lower end of the

super lift to the mounting stud with

the washers and attaching nut. Torque

the nut to specification.

5.
Connect the air line or lines

(right super lift) to the super lift.

6. Start the engine and check for

leaks.

3 IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS

REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT HEIGHT CONTROL VALVE

The regulator may be adjusted if

the regulator pressure is under 100 psi

with the reservoir pressure at a mini-

mum of 140 psi. If the regulated pres-

sure exceeds 130 psi, the regulator

must be replaced.

To adjust the regulator, remove the

boot and reposition the sleeve and re-

tainer deeper into the body of the re-

gulator, using a deep well socket (Fig.

4).
If the regulator pressure remains

under 100 psi, replace regulator.
SILICONE FLUID

REPLACEMENT

If the height control valve time

delay does not fall within specifica-

tion, the silicone fluid must be re-

placed. Then repeat the time delay

test. If delay is still not within specifi-

cations, replace the height control

valve.

1.
Remove control valve and clean
the exterior of the valve thoroughly.

2.
Position the valve with delay

plug on top. Remove delay plug and

drain silicone fluid from the chamber.

Remove the O-ring from the chamber

(Fig. 5), and discard the O-ring.

3.
Remove the cover plate retaining

ring, using snap ring pliers. Remove

the delay cover from the valve body.

Remove the O-ring from the chamber,

and discard the O-ring.

4.
Place a new O-ring over the

delay plug and install the plug. Tor-

que the plug to 20-30 in-lbs. .

5.
Pour silicone fluid into the delay

piston chamber until fluid level is 5/16

inch below the top edge of the body.

Add or remove fluid with an eye drop-

per until the proper fluid level is

reached.

6. Hold the control valve body in a

vise with the delay chamber elevated

slightly. Carefully operate the lever to

purge trapped air from the fluid.

7.
Place a new O-ring in the groove

around the delay piston bore. Install

5/16" TO

FLUID LEVEL

F 1405 A

FIG. 4—Adjusting Regulator
F1406 A

FIG. 5—Replacing Silicone Fluidprocarmanuals.com