1969 FORD MUSTANG wheel alignment

03-01-01

PART
3-1
PAGE

Suspension,
Steering, Wheels and

Tires,
General Service 03-01-01

PART
3-2

Suspension 03-02-01

PART
3-3

Automatic
Air
Leveling System ....03-03-01

PART
3-4

Automatic
Air
Leveling System

Lincoln Continental 03-04-01

PART
3-5

Steering Columns and Linkage ... 03-05-01

PART
3-6

Manual Steering 03-06-01

PART
3-7

Ford Design Non-Integral Power

Steering System
03-07-01
PART
3-8
PAGE

Ford Design Integral Power

Steering Gear 03-08-01

PART
3-9

Saginaw Design Integral Power

Steering Gear 03-09-01

PART
3-10

Ford-Thompson Power Steering

Pump 03-10-01

PART
3-11

Eaton Power Steering Pump 03-1
1-01

PART 3-12

Wheels and Tires 03-1 2-01

PART
3-13

Specifications
03-13-01

PART
3-1
Suspension,Steering, Wheels
and

Tires—General Service

COMPONENT INDEX

CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTMENTS

FRONT
END
INSPECTION

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECKS

LUBRICANT CHECKING PROCEDURE

POWER STEERING GEAR CLEANING

AND INSPECTION

POWER STEERING PRELIMINARY TESTS

POWER STEERING PUMP

Cleaning
and
Inspection

Flow
and
Pressure Tests

POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHING

SHOCK ABSORBER CHECKS

STEERING WHEEL SPOKE POSITION

Adjustment

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT

WHEEL BALANCING
MODEL APPLICATION
All
Models

01-08

01-03

01-07

01-09

01-02

01-11

01-07

01-07

01-07
Ford
01-05

01-09

01-02

01-09
Mercury
01-05

01-09

01-02

01-09
Meteor
01-05

01-09

01-02

01-09
Cougar
01-06

01-09

01-02

01-09
Fairlane
01-06

01-09

01-02

01-09
Falcon
01-06

01-09

01-02

01-09
Montego
01-06

01-09

01-02

Gl-09
Mustang
01-06

01-09

01-02

01-09
Lincoln-
Continental
01-06

01-09

01-03

N/A
Thunderbird
01-05

01-09

01-02

01-09
Continental-
Mark
III
01-05

01-10

01-03

N/A

A page number indicates that
the
item
is for the
vehicle listed
at the
head
of the
column.

N/A indicates that
the
item
is not
applicable
to the
vehicle listed.
procarmanuals.com

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

03-01-03

4.
Connect a tachometer, start the

engine and operate it at idle speed

until the reservoir fluid temperature

reaches 165 to 175. This temperature

must be maintained throughout the

test. Valve B may be partially closed

to create a back pressure up to 350

psi to hasten the temperature rise. The

reservoir fluid must be at the proper

level.

5.
With the engine operating at rec-

ommended idle rpm and fluid temper-

ature noted in Step 4, close the manu-

al valve B. The minimum acceptable

pressure reading is 620 psi.

6. If the pressure gauge reading is

below the minimum specification, the

pump is at fault and should be re-

paired with necessary parts.

7.
If the reading is at or above the

minimum specification, the pump flow

is normal. Open manual valve B and

proceed to the Pump Fluid Pressure

Test.

PUMP FLUID

PRESSURE TEST

1.
Keep the lines and tools con-

nected as in the Pump Flow Test.

2.
With manual valves A and B

opened fully, operate the engine at

recommended idle speed (Fig. 2).

Close manual valve A, then manual

valve B. Do not keep both valves

closed for more than 5 seconds as this

would abnormally increase the fluid

temperature and cause undue pump

and/or gear wear.

3.
With the valves fully closed, the

pressure gauge should read 1000 psi

minimum for Ford, Mercury, Meteor

or Thunderbird and 750 psi minimum

for Cougar, Fairlane, Falcon, Monte-

go or Mustang.

4.
If the pressure gauge reading is

below the minimum specification, the

pump is at fault and should be re-

paired with necessary parts.

5.
If the pressure gauge reading is

at or above the minimum specifica-

tions,
the pump is normal and the

power steering gear or power assist

control valve is at fault.

FLUID PRESSURE TEST-

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

The pressure testing gauge set, tool

T56L-33610-D, requires modification

to make it adaptable for installation

in the power steering hydraulic sys-

tem. The parts required and the modi-

fication procedure are as follows:
OWER STEERING

PRESSURE LINE

INVERTED FLARE

CONNECTOR

%* TUBE x VA" PIPE

FLARED FEMALE COUPW

%' TUBE x VA" PIPE

G1544.A

FIG. 3—Modified Pressure Gauge

Assembly

a. Power Steering Pressure Line

(refer to the appropriate Parts Catal-

og).

b.
Inverted Flare Connector (3/8

inch OD Tube x 1/4 inch Pipe

Thread).

c. Inverted Flare Connector (5/16

inch OD Tube x 1/4 inch Pipe

Thread).

d. Flared Tube Female Coupling

(3/8 inch OD Tube x 1/4 inch Pipe

Thread).

The connectors and the coupling are

standard-type fittings and can be pur-

chased locally.

e. To modify tool T56L-33610-D,

remove the hose from the hand shut-

off valve block. Install the 3/8 inch x

1/4 inch inverted flare connector in

the valve block, and assemble the

pressure line to the connector (Fig. 3).

Assemble the 3/8 x 1/4 inch coupling

and the 5/16-inch connector to the

free end of the hose leading to the.

pressure gauge.

1.
To check the pump pressure, dis-

connect the front and rear sections of

the pressure line over the number 6

cylinder. Connect the modified pres-

sure-testing gauge assembly, tool

T56L-3361O-D, between the two sec-

tions.

2.
Make sure the hand-valve at the

gauge is fully opened. Start the engine

and cycle the steering gear from stop

to stop to warm up the fluid. Check

the fluid level in the reservoir and add

fluid, if necessary.

3.
Turn the steering wheel to the

full right and full left turn positions

and observe the gauge readings.

Hold the wheels in this position

only long enough to obtain an accu-

rate reading. Do not exceed 5 seconds.

The gauge should read between

1120 and 1250 psi. If the pressure is
less than 1120 psi, close the valve at

the gauge and note the pump pressure.

If it is low with the valve closed, it in-

dicates that the pump is not operating

properly. If the pressure goes up with

the valve closed, it indicates that the

low pressure in the system must be

due to internal leakage in the power

unit, providing all connections are

tight.

4.
Remove the pressure testing

gauge set, and connect the pressure

line at the steering gear. Fill and bleed

the system.

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

CHECKS

Do not attempt to check and adjust

front wheel alignment without first

making a preliminary inspection of

the front-end parts. Refer to Section

3.

Check all the factors of front wheel

alignment except the turning angle

before making any adjustments. The

turning angle should be checked only

after caster, camber, and toe-in have

been adjusted to specifications.

The front wheel alignment specifica-

tions given in Part 3-13, are correct

only when the vehicle is at curb load.

Before checking or adjusting the

alignment factors, the suspension

alignment spacers must be installed to

obtain the curb Height.

EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION

Equipment used for front wheel

alignment inspection must be accu-

rate.
Whenever possible, front wheel

alignment checks should be performed

on stationary wheel aligning equip-

Too/
- T65P3000-A or S

FIG. 4—Typical Front Alignment

Spacer Installation—Cougar,

Fairlane, Falcon,
Montego,
Mustangprocarmanuals.com

03-01-04

Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-04

Tool
- T 65 P -
3000
B or C

1266-B

FIG. 5—Typical Rear Alignment

Spacer Installation—Cougar,

Fairlane, Falcon, Montego,

Mustang

ment. In the absence of such equip-

ment, portable equipment may be

used and the work may be performed

on a level floor. The floor area should

be level within 1/4 inch from front to

rear of the vehicle and within 1/8 inch

from side to side. Alignment height

spacers (Figs. 4, 8 and 9) are used to

check caster and camber. The spacers

should be omitted when checking toe-

in.

1.
Check the runout of each front

wheel and tire using a dial indicator

against the rim outer band. If the ru-

nout exceeds 1/8 inch, correction may

be made by rotating the wheel on the

drum. When the minimum runout has

been obtained, mark the point of

greatest runout so the wheels can be

positioned as shown in Fig. 10 when

checking the front end alignment.

Hold a piece of chalk against the

wheel rim or the tire sidewall while

spinning the wheels. The chalk will

mark the rim or tire at the point of

greatest runout.

2.
Drive the vehicle in a straight

line far enough to establish the

straight ahead position of the front

wheels, and then mark the steering

wheel hub and the steering column

collar (Fig. ll).Do not adjust the

steering wheel spoke position at this

time. If the front wheels are turned at

any time during the inspection, align

the marks to bring the wheels back to

the straight-ahead position.

3.
With the vehicle in position for

the front end alignment inspection and

adjustment, install the suspension

alignment spacers as follows to esta-

blish the curb height.
F1432-A

FIG. 6—Alignment Spacer

Installation—Rear—Ford,

Mercury, Meteor, Thunderbird,

Continental Mark III

|F1258-Af

FIG. 7— Alignment Spacer

Installation — Rear Lincoln Continental

Tool-T65P-3000-B or -C

F1431-A

FIG. 8—Alignment Spacer

Installation—Front—Ford,

Mercury, Meteor, Thunderbird,

Continental Mark III
F 1499-A

FIG. 9—Alignment Spacer

Installation—Front—Lincoln

Continental

CHALK MARK IN THIS POSITION

WHEN CHECKING TOE-IN AND TOE-OUT

ON TURNS

CHALK MARK IN THIS POSITION

WHEN CHECKING CASTER AND CAMBER

LOCATION OF POINT OF GREATEST

LATERAL RUN-OUT ON FRONT

WHEaS WHEN CHECKING

ALIGNMENT FACTORS

F1215-A

FIG. 70—Front Wheel Position

For Checking Alignment

Lift the front of the vehicle and

position the alignment spacers be-

tween the suspension lower arm and

the frame spring pocket as shown in

Figs.
4, 8 and 9. Be sure the spacer

pin is placed in the correct hole for

the vehicle being checked. The lower

end of the alignment spacers should

be placed over the head of the strut

front attaching bolt. Remove the

bumpers from the right and left rear

side rails. Position the rear alignment

spacers between the rear axle and the

rear side rails as shown in Figs. 5, 6

and 7.

4.
Install the wheel alignment

equipment on the vehicle. Whicheverprocarmanuals.com

03-01-05
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-05

type of equipment is used, follow the

installation and inspection instructions

provided by the equipment manufactu-

rer.

CASTER

Check the caster angle at each front

wheel.

The caster is the forward or rear-

ward tilt of the top of the wheel

spindle (Fig. 12). If the spindle tilts to

the rear, caster is positive. If the

spindle tilts to the front, caster is neg-

ative. The correct caster angle, or tilt,

is specified in Part 3-13.

On Mustang, Cougar, Fairlane,

Falcon and Montego vehicles, the

maximum caster difference for check-

ing purposes must not exceed one de-

gree.
If setting is necessary, then the

maximum difference must not exceed

1/2 degree. On all other vehicles, the

maximum caster difference must never

exceed 1/2 degree.

CAMBER

Check the camber angle at each

front wheel.

Camber is the amount the front

wheels are tilted at the top (Fig. 12).

If a wheel tilts outward, camber is

positive. If a wheel tilts inward, cam-

ber is negative. The correct camber

angle, or outward (positive) tilt is

specified in Part 3-13.

On Mustang, Cougar, Fairlane,

Falcon and Montego vehicles, the

maximum camber difference for

checking purposes must not exceed

one degree. If setting is necessary,
then the maximum difference must

not exceed 1/2 degree. On all other

vehicles, the maximum camber differ-

ence must never exceed 1/2 degree.

TOE-IN

Alignment height spacers should not

be used to check and adjust toe-in.

Toe-in should only be checked and ad-

justed after the caster and camber

have been adjusted to specifications.

Check the toe-in with the front

wheels in the straight-ahead position.

Run the engine so that the power

steering control valve will be in the

center (neutral) position (if so

equipped). Measure the distance be-

tween the extreme front and also be-

tween the extreme rear of both front

wheels. The difference between these

two distances is the toe-in or toe-out.

Correct toe-in, or inward pointing

of both front wheels at the front is

specified in Part 3-13.

FRONT WHEEL

TURNING ANGLE

When the inside wheel is turned 20

degrees, the turning angle of the out-

side wheel should be as specified in

Part 3-13. The turning angle cannot

be adjusted directly, because it is a re-

sult of the combination of caster,

camber, and toe-in adjustments and

should, therefore, be measured only

after these adjustments have been

made. If the turning angle does not

measure to specifications, check the

spindle or other suspension parts for a

bent condition.
ALIGNMENT
MARKS

G-1496-A

FIG. I?—Straight Ahead Position

Marks—Typical

POSITIVE

CAMBER

• •
NEGATIVE-*!
| ^*—

CASTER

ICL
OF TIRE
POSITIVE

CASTER

5r\

CA&U

ANGlE
F1216-A

FIG. 72—Caster and Camber

Angles

COMMON ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS

After front wheel alignment factors

have been checked, make the neces-

sary adjustments. Do not attempt to

adjust front wheel alignment by bend-

ing the suspension or steering parts.

CASTER AND CAMBER

ADJUSTMENTS

FORD, MERCURY, METEOR,

THUNDERBIRDAND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Caster and camber is adjusted by

loosening the bolts that attach the

upper suspension arm inner shaft to

the frame side rail, and moving the

inner shaft in or out in the elongated

bolt holes with the tool shown in Fig.
13.
The tool should be installed with

the tool pins in the frame holes and

the hooks over the upper arm inner

shaft. Then, tighten the tool hook nuts

snug before loosening the upper arm

inner shaft attaching bolts.

Caster

To adjust the caster angle, tighten

the tool front hook nut or loosen the

rear hook nut (Fig. 14) as required to

increase caster to the desired angle.

To decrease caster, tighten the tool

rear hook nut or loosen the front

hook nut as required (Fig. 14). The

caster angle can be checked without

tightening the inner shaft attaching

bolts.
Check the camber adjustment to

be sure it did not change during the

caster adjustment and adjust if neces-
FIG. 73—Camber and Caster

Adjusting Toolprocarmanuals.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

03-01-07
Suspension — Steering, Wheels And Tires — General Service

03-01-07

upper arm shaft to the frame member

(Fig. 3, Part 3-2).

2.
Loosen the arm shaft attaching

bolts,
raise the front end of the vehicle

and lower it again. This will break the

arm shaft loose from the frame mem-

ber.

3.
With a pry bar, move the arm

shaft back into alignment with the

chalk marks made in Step 1, and

tighten the shaft attaching bolts. The

bolts should be tightened just enough

to hold the shaft in position without

preventing its being moved with the

pry bar.

Caster

1.
With the aid of a pry bar, move

the shaft in or out, as required, to

meet specifications. A movement of

approximately 3 /32 inch at either the

front or rear bolt location will change

the caster 1/2 degree. Inboard move-

ment of the front bolt, or outboard

movement of the rear bolt, will change

caster in the negative direction. Out-

board movement of the front bolt, or

inboard movement of the rear bolt,

will change caster in the positive di-

rection.

2.
When the caster is correct, tor-

que the shaft attaching bolts to speci-

fication and recheck the caster and

camber to insure that the readings

have not changed.

Camber
TURN DOWNWARD TO

INCREASE ROD LENGTH

TURN UPWARD

TO DECREASE

ROD LENGTH
TURN

DOWNWARD

TO DECREASE

ROD LENGTH
TURN UPWARD TO

INCREASE ROD LENGTH

LEFT-HAND SLEEVE
RIGHT-HAND SLEEVE

FIG. 16—Spindle Connecting Rod Adjustment

WHEN TOE-IN IS CORRECT

TURN BOTH CONNECTING ROD

SLEEVES UPWARD TO ADJUST

SPOKE POSITION
F1433-A

i URN BOTH CONNECTING ROD

SLEEVES DOWNWARD TO

ADJUST SPOKE POSITION

WHEN TOE-IN IS

NOT CORRECT

LENGTHEN LEFT ROD TO

INCREASE TOE-IN

SHORTEN RIGHT ROD

TO DECREASE TOE-IN
SHORTEN LEFT ROD

TO DECREASE TOE-IN

LENGHTEN RIGHT ROD

TO INCREASE TOE-IN

ADJUST BOTH RODS EQUALLY TO MAINTAIN NORMAL SPOKE POSITION

1.
With the aid of a pry bar, move

the shaft in or out, as required, to

meet specifications. A movement of

approximately 3/64 inch of the entire

shaft will change the camber 1/4 de-

gree.
Inboard movement will change

the camber in the negative direction.

Outboard movement will change the

camber in the positive direction.

2.
When the camber is correct, tor-

que the shaft attaching bolts to speci-

fication and recheck the camber and

caster to insure that the readings have

not changed. Remove all alignment

equipment and alignment spacers and

install the right and left side rail

bumpers.

TOE-IN AND STEERING

WHEEL SPOKE

POSITION ADJUSTMENTS

Check the steering wheel spoke po-

sition when the front wheels are in the

straight-ahead position. If the spokes

are not in their normal position, they

can be properly adjusted while toe-in

is being adjusted.
F1434-
A

f/G.77—Toe-in and Steering Wheel Spoke Alignment Adjustment—Typical

1.
Loosen the two ciamp bolts or

each spindle connecting rod sleeve

(Fig. 16).

2.
Adjust toe-in. If the steering

wheel spokes are in their normal posi-

tion, lengthen or shorten both rods

equally to obtain correct toe-in (Fig.

16).
If the steering wheel spokes are

not in their normal position, make the

necessary rod adjustments to obtain

correct toe-in and steering wheel

spoke alignment (Fig. 17).

3.
Recheck toe-in and the steering

wheel spoke position. If toe-in is cor-

rect and the steering wheel spokes are

still not in their normal position, turn

both connecting rod sleeves upward or

downward same number of turns to

move the steering wheel spokes (Fig.

16).

4.
When toe-in and the steering

wheel spoke position are both correct,

torque the clamp bolts on both con-

necting rod sleeves to specification
(Part 3-13). Lubricate clamp, bolts

and nuts prior to torquing to specifi-

cation. The sleeve position should not

be changed when the clamp bolts are

tightened.

WHEEL BALANCING

See the instructions provided with

the Rotunda Wheel Balancer.

Make certain that the brakes are

not dragging before attempting to spin

the wheels. Push the brake shoes into

the caliper to free the rotor.

LUBRICANT CHECKING

PROCEDURE

MANUAL STEERING GEAR

1.
Center the steering wheel.

2.
Remove the steering gear hous-

ing filler plug.procarmanuals.com

03-01-08
Suspension
—
Steering,
Wheels
And
Tires
—
General Service

03-01-08

3.
Remove the lower (upper on

Mustang and Cougar) cover- to-

housing attaching bolt.

4.
With a clean punch or like in-

strument, clean out or push inward

the loose lubricant in the filler plug

hole and cover to housing attaching

bolt hole.
5.
Slowly turn the steering wheel to

the left stop, lubricant should rise

within the lower cover bolt hole; then

slowly turn the steering wheel to the

right stop, lubricant should rise within

the filler plug hole. If lubricant does

not rise in both the cover bolt hole
and the filler plug hole, add lubricant

until it comes out both holes during

this check.

6. Install the lower (upper on

Mustang and Cougar) cover- to-

housing attaching bolt and the filler

plug.

CLEANING
AND
INSPECTION

FRONT
END
GENERAL

INSPECTION

Do not check and adjust front

wheel alignment without first making

the following inspection for front-end

damage, or wear.

1.
Check for specified air pressures

in all four tires.

2.
Raise the front of the vehicle off

the floor. Shake each front wheel

grasping the upper and lower surfaces

of the tire. Check the front suspension

ball joints and mountings for loose-

ness,
wear, and damage. Check the

brake backing plate mountings. Tor-

que all loose nuts and bolts to specifi-

cation. Replace all worn parts as out-

lined in Part 3-2.

3.
Check the steering gear mount-

ings and all steering linkage connec-

tions for looseness. Torque all mount-

ings to specifications. If any of the

linkage is worn or bent, replace the

parts as outlined in Part 3-5.

4.
Check the front wheel bearings.

If any in-and-out free play is noticed,

adjust the bearings to specifications.

Replace worn or damaged bearings as

outlined in Part 3-12.

5.
Spin each front wheel with a

wheel spinner, and check and balance

each wheel as required.

6. Check the action of the shock

absorbers. If the shock absorbers are

not in good condition, the vehicle may

not settle in a normal, level position,

and front wheel alignment may be af-

fected.

WHEEL INSPECTION

Wheel hub nuts should be inspected

and tightened to specification at pre-

delivery. Loose wheel hub nuts may

cause shimmy and vibration. Elongat-

ed stud holes in the wheels may also

result from loose hub nuts.

Keep the wheels and hubs clean.

Stones wedged between the wheel and

drum and lumps of mud or grease can

unbalance a wheel and tire.
Check for damage that would affect

the runout of the wheels. Wobble or

shimmy caused by a damaged wheel

will eventually damage the wheel bear-

ings.
Inspect the wheel rims for dents

that could permit air to leak from the

tires.

UPPER BALL JOINT

INSPECTION

Ford,
Mercury,
Meteor,

Thunderbird,

Lincoln Continental
and

Continental Mark
III

1.
Raise the vehicle and place floor

jacks beneath the lower arms.

2.
Ask an assistant to grasp the

lower edge of the tire and move the

wheel in and out.

3.
As the wheel is being moved in

and out, observe the upper end of the

spindle and the upper arm.

4.
Any movement between the

upper end of the spindle and the upper

arm indicates ball joint wear and loss

of preload. If any such movement is

observed, replace the upper ball joint.

During
the
foregoing
check,
the

lower ball joint will
be
unloaded
and

may
move.
Disregard
all
such
move-

ment
of the
lower ball
joint.
Also,
do

not mistake loose wheel bearings
for a

worn ball
joint.

Cougar,
Fairlane,
Falcon,

Montego
and
Mustang

1.
Raise the vehicle on a frame

contact hoist or by floor jacks placed

beneath the underbody until the wheel

falls to the full down position as

shown in Fig. 18. This will unload the

upper ball joint.

2.
Adjust the wheel bearings as de-

scribed in Part 3-12.

3.
Attach a dial indicator to the

upper arm and position the indicator
so that the plunger rests against the

inner side of the wheel rim adjacent to

the upper arm ball joint.

4.
Grasp the tire at the top and

bottom, and slowly move the tire in

and out (Fig. 18). Note the reading

(radial play) on the dial indicator. If

MAXIMUM TOLERANCE

F
1500-A

FIG.
T8—Measuring Upper Ball

Joint Radial Play

MAXIMUM TOLERANCE

F14
35-A

FIG.
79—Measuring Lower Ball

Joint Radial Playprocarmanuals.com

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