01-01-02
Vehicle Identification
01-01-02
VEHICLE WARRANTY NUMBER
The vehicle warranty number is the first line of numbers and
letters appearing on the Warranty Plates (Fig. 1). The Warranty
Plate is riveted to the left front door lock face panel. The first
number indicates the model year. The letter following the model
year number indicates the manufacturing assembly plant. The next
two numbers designate the Body Serial Code followed by a letter
expressing the Engine Code. The group of six digits remaining on
the first line indicate the Consecutive Unit Number.
VEHICLE DATA
The vehicle data appears on the second or lower line on the
Warranty Plate. The first two numbers and a letter identify the
Body Style. A letter or a number appears next indicating the
Exterior Paint Color followed by a number-letter combination
designating the Interior Trim. To the right of this code appears the
Date Code indicating the date the car was manufactured. A two-
digit number next designates the district in which the car was
ordered and may appear in conjunction with a Domestic Special
Order or Foreign Special Order number when applicable. The final
two spaces indicate the Rear Axle Ratio (numbers for regular axles,
letters for locking-types) and the Transmission type (numbers for
manual,
letters for automatic).
OFFICIAL VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The official Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for title and
registration purposes is stamped on an aluminum tab that is riveted
to the instrument panel close to the windshield on the driver's side
of the car and is visible from outside (Fig. 2).
MODEL YEAR CODE
The number 9 designates 1969.
ASSEMBLY PLANT CODES
COUGAR
Code
Letter
Code
Letter
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
Atlanta
L
Oakville (Canada)
N
Ontario Truck
P
Dallas
R
.,
Mahwah
S
Dearborn
T
Chicago
U
Lorain
W
Los Angeles
X
Kansas City
Y
Z
Michigan Truck
Norfolk
Twin Cities
San Jose
.
(Pilot). ...Allen Park
Metuchen
Louisville
Wayne
St. Thomas
Wixom
St. Louis
BODY SERIAL AND STYLE CODES
The two-digit numeral which follows the assembly plant code
identifies the body series. This two-digit number is used in con-
junction with the Body Style Code, in the Vehicle Data, which
consists of a two-digit number with a letter suffix. The following
chart lists the Body Serial Codes, Body Style Codes and the model.
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
Body Body
Serial Style
Code Code Body Type
82
53A
4-Door Sedan
80
65A
2-Door
Hardtop
CONTINENTAL MARK
III
Body Body
Serial Style
Code Code Body Type
89
65A
2-Door
Hardtop
Body
Serial
Code
91
92
93
94
91
Body
Style
Code
65A
76A
65B
76B
65C
® Bench Seat
MERCURY
Body
Serial
Code
44
46
48
45
40
41
42
54
56
58
63
66
68
65
63
66
68
60
61
72
72
74
74
76
76
Body
Style
Code
54A
65A
57A
76A
53M
65M
57M
54C
65B
57B
53F
65F
57 F
76F
53C
65C
57C
63G
63H
71B
71C
71F
71G
71E
71A
©Bench Seat
Body
Type
2-Door
Hardtop©
Convertible©
2-Door
Hardtop©
Convertible®
2-Door
Hardtop®
Model
Standard
XR-7 Luxury
Standard
©Split Bench ©Bucket Seats
Body Type
4-Door Sedan©
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®
4-Door Hardtop®
Convertible®
CANADA ONLY
4-Door Hardtop Sedan®
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®
4-Door Hardtop®
4-Door Sedan®
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®
4-Door Hardtop®
4-Door Hardtop Sedan®©
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®©
4-Door Hardtop®®
Convertible®®
4-Door Hardtop Sedan©
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal©
4-Door Hardtop©
Model
Monterey
Marquis
Monterey-Custom
Marquis
Brougham (Option)
2-Door
Hardtop (Tunnel Roof)®© Marauder
2-Door
Hardtop (Tunnel Roof)®®©
4-Door 2 Seat®
4-Door 3 Seat (Side Facing)®
4-Door
2
Seat®
4-Door 3 Seat (Side Facing)®
4-Door 2 Seat®©
4-Door 3 Seat (Side Facing)®©
Monterey Wagoi
Monterey-Custom Wagon
Marquis Colony Park
©Split Bench ©Bucket Seats
METEOR (CANADA)
Body
Serial
Code
20
21
23
Body
Style
Code
54A
54B
65B
Body Type
4-Door Sedan®
4-Door Sedan®
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®
Model
Rideau
Rideau 500
30
54C
4-Door Sedan®
35
65C
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®
35
65E
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal{5-33)®®
33
57C
4-Door Hardtop®
34
76C
Convertible®
34
76E
Convertible (S-33)®®
Montcalm
24
65F
2-Door
Hardtop-Formal®©
27
57F
4-Door Hardtop®®
LeMoyne
28
71B
Rideau 500-6 Passenger®
29
71C
Rideau 500-Dual Face Rear®
38
71E
Mo ntcalm-6 Passenger®
39
71A
Montcalm-Dual Face Rear®
Station Wagons.
©Bench Seat ©Splite Bench ©Bucket Seatsprocarmanuals.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
03-05-02
Steering Columns
And
Linkage
03-05-02
which also will shear away during
im-
pact.
TILT STEERING COLUMNS
The steering column
is of the col-
lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility
of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle
should
he
become involved
in an
acci-
dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering
column tube
at the
bellows area will
collapse approximately
six
inches
upon
a
hard impact.
The shift tube
and the
steering shaft
are provided with plastic dowels
and
will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse
in proportion
to the
outer tube upon
impact.
Once
the
steering column
has
been
collapsed,
a
complete
new
column
must
be
installed.
The tilt column features nine driv-
ing positions (four
up and
four down
from
a
center position).
The
.column
also features
a
turn signal switch with
a lane-changer position turn indicating
position
and
emergency warning flash-
er control.
TILT-AWAY STEERING COLUMNS
The tilt-away steering column
fea-
tures nine driving positions (four
up
and four down from
a
center position)
and
a
tilt-away position that
is
auto-
matically accomplished
on
Mustang
and Cougar models when
the
ignition
key
is
turned
to the
OFF
position
and
the left door
is
opened.
On
Thunder-
bird models,
the
tilt-away occurs when
the shift lever
is
placed
in
PARK
and
the driverns door
is
opened.
The steering column
is of the col-
lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility
of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle
should
he
become involved
in an
acci-
dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering
column tube
at the
bellows area will
collapse approximately
six
inches
upon
a
hard impact.
The shift tube
and the
steering shaft
are provided with plastic dowels
and
will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse
in proportion
to the
outer tube upon
impact.
Once
the
steering column
has
been
collapsed,
a
complete
new
column
must
be
installed along with mounting
brackets which will also shear away
during impact.
IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS
AND
REPAIRS
STEERING WHEEL SPOKE
POSITION ADJUSTMENT
When
the
steering gear
is on the
high point,
the
front wheels should
be
in
the
straight-ahead position
and the
steering wheel spokes should
be in
their normal position with
the
Pitman
arm pointing directly forward.
If the
spokes
are not in
their normal posi-
tion, they
can be
adjusted without
dis-
turbing
the
toe-in adjustment (Part
3-1).
STEERING WHEEL
REPLACEMENT
1.
Disconnect
the
negative cable
from
the
battery.
2.
Working from
the
underside
of
the steering wheel spoke, remove
the
crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift
the
crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On
Conti-
nental Mark
III
models,
pry out the
crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the two
screws that secure
the
crash
pad. Re-
move
the
crash
pad. On
models
equipped with steering wheel mounted
speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for
removal instructions). Remove
the
horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning
it counterclockwise.
3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
nut,
and then remove
the
steering wheel
with tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig. 1). Do
not
use a
knock-off type steering
wheel puller
or
strike
the end of the
steering shaft with
a
hammer. Striking
the puller
or
shaft will damage
the
bearing
or the
collapsible column.
4.
Transfer
all
serviceable parts
to
the
new
steering wheel.
5.
Position
the
steering wheel
on
the shaft
so
that
the
alignment mark
on
the hub of the
wheel
is
adjacent
to
the
one on the
shaft. Install
a new
locknut
and
torque
it to
specifications.
6. Install
the
horn ring
(if so
equipped)
and
crash
pad.
STEERING COLUMN UPPER
BEARING REPLACEMENT
STATIONARY COLUMNS
Removal
1. Disconnect
the
horn wire
and the
turn indicator wires
at the
connector.
2.
Working from
the
underside
of
the steering wheel spoke, remove
the
two crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift
the crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On
Continental Mark
III
models,
pry out
the crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the
two screws that secure
the
crash
pad.
Remove
the
crash
pad. On
models
equipped with steering wheel mounted
speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for
7oo/-T67L-3600-A
removal instructions). Remove
the
horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning
it counterclockwise.
3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
at-
taching
nut.
Remove
the
steering
wheel using tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig.
1).
Do not use a
knock-off type steer-
ing wheel puller
or
strike
the end of
the steering shaft with
a
hammer.
Striking
the
puller
or
shaft will
dam-
age
the
bearing
or the
collapsible
col-
umn.
4.
Remove
the
turn indicator lever.
5.
Remove
the
turn signal switch
attaching screws. Lift
the
switch over
the
end of the
steering shaft
and
place
it
to one
side.
6. Remove
the
snap ring from
the
top
of the
steering shaft.
7.
Loosen
the two
flange-to-steering
column tube attaching bolts
to
disen-
gage them from
the
tube.
8. Raise
the
flange upward while
BEARING
AND
INSULATOR
Spacer
G 1502 -B
FIG.
1—Removing
Steering Wheel
G 1497-A
FIG. 2—Installing Upper Bearingprocarmanuals.com