1974 FORD CAPRI suspension

Chapter 10 Suspension and steering 161
fig. 10.11 Drivebelt [ldjustlllent pulley holts on 3.0 litre models -arrowed (Sec 2)
2 Routine maintenance
At the "*',vals spec ,f,ed III the Routine MainhHlance $()(;t,on in the front of til() manunl c,lIIy out the 101l0wlIl\j p,o(;cdures.
Check lyres for illflalioll, wear and conditioll 1 Check [lnd If necessary adjust the tyre pressures .
2 Check [III t yres for WC[lr and condition with referenc e to Section 21
Check power steering pump drive belt tensiof) 3 Check thm the deflection of the drivebelt m,dway ulon!) its lonyest nlll between upper pulleys is approxirn 1110tler;lle th"'''h pressure . 1 If "dl"~t"'e"l ,s necuss;uy. loosen the ,dler pulley bracket bolt~. re'posll'o" tlH~ IIIilcket then rc·t'Uhten the bolts On 30 htre llIodels the III[lck"t t"u~t he pivott:!! .1tound the end holt. whmeas on 2.8 litre ,,'odds the b';'eket mllst I", ,"oved wllh"l Ihe elonu"t<:d bolt holes
(photo).
Clwck puwer steering fluid levef (lnd hydraulic huses II pOSStble the level should be checked w,th the Buid [It nOll1lal
uper,\!mg tClIll)Cr[lture . 6 On c;lrly modcls unscrcw the wing nut nnd relnove Ihe rese,voir cover ilild uaskel. The flu,d should be up 10 Ihe MAX level mark on the
reservo". 7 On later models, wrn tht! hiler C lll.Jrk on the d'pstick.Js applicable (photo).
Fig. 10. 5 Topping·up the power steering reservoir on early models (Sec 2)
8 Whele nec.ess.1'y ~dd Ihe ~pccilled lIU1d to bring Ihe level up to the
correct ,nilrk. 9 ChC(;k the hydr[luhc hoses for comJit,on and security.
Check steerinfj ,-md suspension components 10 n,ll$O tilt) front ilno reM 01 the Cill or position over an inspeclion pn. 11 Check the SleetinlJ wck and t'e 'rods for d[lm3ge und weM. Also check the wek HJbber bellows and track rod end rubber bOOIS for spfilS
ilnd leilk[lge. 12 Chec k the front ,md reilr suspension components lor d"m.Jge [lnd wear. In particuf;lr check the front suspension tr.Jck control Mm ilrod stahiliwr r"bber mounling bushes. Usc a lever to check that there is no excessive we[lr III the Iron I slispenSlon lower IJ[ll lJoints which Me
"'\()\JIill wnh the track conlrol ilflllS . 13 Check the operat,on of the I,ont ;IIHt rear shock absorbers This is
be st ilchievcd with thO} Cilr on the \lfOlind by depressing euch corner of the ca' 1111\I1. On 'ele[lsil\ljthe C()"H~r helllU checked Ihe body should ,,~c thell s"llie IIlIl11ed,mely on ,t~ way down. II there nrc sever.J1 ()sclll;ot'ons the sho(;k absorber IS weilk nnd should be renewed.
3 Front hub _ removal. refitliny and bearing adjustillent
Apply the h[llldhr[lke then Jilek tip the front 01 the cm ilnd support
on axlt! standS Remove til(! rOildwhecl 2 Rernove the front ul;lke CJllper With ,elerence 10 Ch.Jpter 9. Whele the flex,ble br[lke host! is connecte(t dueclly to the cililper ther e IS no need 10 disconnect the hose i1S thO} caliper can be suspcnded by wire
aWily from the diSC. 3 By calelul 1 centre of the huu (phOIO).
" :<>,:,~,.
Adjusting the power Sleering pump drivebelt tension on the 2.8 litre engine
2.7 Powcr steeling filler c.Jp/d,pstlck for the 2.8 hIre engine
3.3 Removing the dUSI cap from the front
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162 Chapte r 10 S uspension and steering
)
Fin· 10.6 Front
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, 5
Y 6
hub cOnll)oncnts (Sec 3)
12
1 0,1 seal 7 Diller be,?li/!{J Iwck 2 IIIlIcr bcaring wee 8 GUiN Iwmitlfl filct' 3 Inner bemiJlg /I,?ck 9 ThlllS! wilslwf 4 Screw 10 NIII 5 Disc 11 Sf"il (lin 6 H", 12 01151 C.1jJ
4 Remove the split pin frorn the nul rC\;linCf and undo the adluS\ing nul from the stub a xle. 5 Wilhd,nw the thr ust washer and the outer tapered he,..ing. 6 Pull off the complete hub ;111(1 disc ilsscrnbly ffOIl11hc s tuh tlXlc. 7 To refit locale the huh tlSscmb ly on the stub il~lc <'Ind slide on the outer hc"rinu nnd II11 II) while IIngurs ~"d Ihun1l),
1 0 Rei" the nut ret;)u)Cr SO th~t the spill pUl holes ~re ~lIg"ed. Fit a
v split pin 4 Front hub be 1 Remove Ihe Iront hub as described in Section 3.
2 Cmelully prise out the gre.lse senl Irom the b~ck 01 the hub 4
Scoop out the grease 110m inside the huh imd wash clea". S Drive the new bearing tr 5 Working the
glease well into th e beiu ings. lully p 5
Front Suspension strut _ renl0v

Chapter 10 S uspension and steering 163
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Fig. 10.7 Coil spri n g compressor lOo ls (Sec 6 )
\.
FiU. 1 0 .8 C o rn pressi nu the frOllt Goil spring ( S ec 6)
~ " / ron t stobiliser bar clamp mountrng
2 Mount the strut firmly i n ~ vice .
3 Fit t he spring compressor tool(s) to the coil spring and compress the spring until it is juSt clear of the upper mounting. Milke sure tho t the
1001 is f ully engilged with the spring.
4 Prise off Ihe plastic cap then unscrew Ihe pis ton nut ~nd remove
t he cranked
retoiner .
F ig . 10 .9 CU\·
ilWilY view o f th e front coil spring nnd strut mountin g compo nents (Sec 6)
A Shack absorbfN pis/ull B 51,,11
5 Remove Ihe upper 1110unling lollowed by Ihe corl spring. rebOllnd
rubber and lowe r sprrnU seal. G The coil springs are colour· coded ,1nd II a new sprong 's being I,!led
il muSI hilve the same colour code.
7 Ref itting is a reve,sal 01 removal. but il Will be neceSS nlll _ using locking fluid on its thre nul until Ihe weighl of Ihe car is on the suspension and. when l ightening il. posilion the cranked retainer wIth ilS twO ears al 90' to
lhe centre.line of Ihe CM. Where the p iSlon rod incorpor crrmp the nut
II~nge into the 5101
7 F ront stabiliser bar -removal Apply t
he hand brake then Jack up the front of the car and supporl
on axle stands. Remove Ihe fronl roadwheels.
2 Working under Ihe CM at the Irani. knock back the loc king tabS on the four baits securing tile two f,ont ct~mps Iha t hold the swb,hser ba r
t o the frame and then undo t he four bol tS and remove lhe clampS rubber insulJtors (phOIO). 3 Remove the split pins 110m the cJstellated nu ts rewin in g the stabiliser bar to the Irack control arms, then undo Ihe nu ts and pull off
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Chapter 10 Suspension and steering
~ l"Nfl> BUS"'''G
~ TRACK CONT~O~ AIIM
Fig. 10. 10 FrOllt st 7.3
Front Slilblliser bJr iltlilchmCIll to tr tile l 1 Pull the stilbiliser bilr lorw,lrd uut of the two tr;rck control MillS ilnd remove from the cm
5 With the stilbiliscr bilr out of tire Cilr. rernovtl the sltltlve Jlld lilrge wnsher from each end 01 the bar. d,ser bar l11u5tnol be fully tiuluened down unulthe cm is resting on its wheels.
7 Once the car is on its wheels. the c(lsteli,lted nUlS on Ihe ends olthe st,)bifiser bar should be tl\[htened down to the specIfIed torqlJe .. nd new spill pinS filled The four cl(lmp bOilS on the IranI mountinu poinlS must he tluhtened 10 the specliled torque and tile lockIng whs knocked up.
P
Front truck conlro l ;lrm -removal alld refitting .
Apply the h'lIldl.>r 8.4 Tr(lck COIIIIOI ,lim inner pivot bolt
on a~le swnds. Remove the roadwheel. 2 Working ullde! the C(lr. remove the spirt pin (lnd unscrew Ihe cilslellmed 11111 Ih"t secures the trilck coniroi 4 Remoye Ihe self lock nut ilnd tiM wJsher from the bilek of the track control nUll P,yot bolt (photo) Release the inner end of the tr[lck control Mm.
5 WithdrJw the split pin [lnd Ullscrew the nut securing the trilck control Jflll battlOIl1 10 the base 01 the suspension unit. SCpar[lte the joint. using n ball,oinl Sepnr[llo,. or wed(Jcs 6 To ret, I thc lI"ck conlrol arm . fllsl JsscOlble the track conlrol [lrm bJIl stud to Ih(~ bilse of the suspenSIon !m't 7 Reflllhe nu! ilnd tighten to the speCIfIed torque. Secure with a new spirt pin.
S Place the track control (lrill so IhJt il conectly locates over the sliIbiliser hJr nltd then secure the iIlller end.
9 Slide Ihe pivot bolt into pOSItion "0111 the "onl and sccure w ith Ihe flat washer Dud il new scll.lock,no nut. The nut must be to the rear . Trghten the nUl to Ihe specified torque. when thu car is on the ground. to Fit the dished washer to the end of the stabll iscr bDr. making sure it is the cOllect way round and secure wit h the cas tellated nut This must
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,6 Chapter 10 Suspension and steering
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FiU · 10.11 Fl(Wr stniJiliscr b;H flnd piece positioning (Sec 11)
A IJ 2620 I J!J 111111 (/03 101m) 100111111 (0·1 mJ
1"'5 ;",(1 ,0.:1'1 tile t;1\{1 sHoec When l ilted. the wHip'cec should he 1'''~'ll'''H,,1 .15 shown III FlO 1011 DIIIlCIlS'Oll A should he betweell ?!.i 59 nlld 2Gtl 5 ""ll (102 ami 104 JI') :lnd Ih" (h(fmcncc IWlwr!f!1l IllI! two s"I"5 IIll1S! nOI he \l'catc, th.1rl 2 5 nUll (0 1 m)
(l II Ihe IJl,~hcs "' II", (,11(1 11".:';'$ "''1''''<) """,wi,I, II 'llaV I", found "'O'e COI1V"Il C"'IIJ(.' 01 till: axle tulle ilnd the sprlllO .em eye ,lie Oil the sarll e
h",,/.ul1,11 h.'vel (the wUIOht ",qlllred IS dpp'ox,m 17 Steering ge Ll..,tore st;IItlnl) set the f,ol,t wheels In the s[ro1lght ·ahead pOSlt rOll
J.!Ck lip the front 0 1 thn C,lr and place s1 IHlill .hOfllonwl posltioll, Apply the han(lhlilke 1111(1 remove the f,ont ro,l(lwheels.
2 Remove tile nul ~lId holt from the elnmp at the front of tile fleXIble COllpll ll(1 on the steerm!j colllllln, Tills cl,IInp hOlds the couplln(J to the pillion splines.
3 Working on the front crossmemlier, knock hilek the lockmg wbs orl the two bolts on each IJck houslllg U ·C lillllp. undo the bolt ~nd remove tbe locking tabs ~nd clamps
4 Remove Ihe split pillS G Check that the steCflng \jeilr IS also III the sJraiuh t'ilheild POsl\ion.
Th iS cnn be done by ensuflng that the d,swnces hetween Ihp. ends oj bOlh trllek rods 1111(1 the Stec1inu geilr hOllslng on both sides ~re the same .
7 Place the stee"ng Uear in it s 10c --
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Fig. 10,12 COfrect position o f stnhiliser bar ruhher bush {Sec11 )
T'!jht(:n the holts to Ihe speclf,(:{! to"lne, 9 Relit the I.,lck rod ends into the stO)(:IIn!) illluS. refIt (he I:a';[ellolted nllts and II!Jhten them to the slleclfl{)d tOlque Use new spill pillS to '!:t.nn the nuts
10 T'!lhten tho I:I,II"P bolt (HI the steeru'!J COItIllHI lIex'hle couphllU to 1f1n spec""~d torque. h,)vIlI!) fll~t rnil(\e SlJlOl tholt tlul pin lOll is cOlfecily 10(;"101(1 III t he S"III1CS 1 1 Lower the cm to tho urOllnd. thcn check nrld If neceSSo1ly ildJlIst the front whlwl ;III(J 'Hncnr 015 descrd)ed in Sec lion 20.
13 Stcerinu geM (Illanual) -overhaul <111(1 adjustment
Remove tlllltr ilc k rod nnds (Section 14) then .elllove 1)nd discard the Wile retalnlllg cliPS. remove the hellows and drall1 the I"hricant 2 Mount the stee"ng Ijear in 3 It IS now Ilecess,l'y to unSClew the housmgs from the IlnilIOUl1s. so IhJt the tr~ck rods. hOIlSUlgS , locknuts. hall se C,IIl he removed. Idenlt y tJIIS rcqUlles the USIJ of spec;al 1001s which should he aVaIlable IrOlll ol Fo.d De;1ler. hu t II implovised grips or wrenches ;lie used. lilke care thnt no p,IIts Me dalllalled (If pa rtS ille darllaUed. "ew Items must be oblall1ed). 4 Remove the rilck slrpper cover pl~le, slliln pnck. (Jasket and shpper. 5 Remove Ihe pUlIon i>enring Ilrelo~d cover pl;1W, slum pack. g 1)nd lower beilJlnU {; USlIlg a serewdllver. or sinlllill tool, pnse out the pUllon oil seal 7 Clean all d'll 12 FI t the pinion. ensuJlng thm. after fItting. the lI~t is towa.ds the Jlght·hand side of the vehicle ( " respeCtIve 01 right or le/1·hand drive vehicles). 13 Fit Ihe pinion lower be,lling cover plate. 14 Assemble the rack shppel. SpIIIlg. uasket. shim pack nnd cover plaHl,
15 LubrientIJ the ball Seilts. balls and housings. with the specified gear 011 Screw the locknuts OntO the ends of the steeling (1)ck. 1 G Assemble t he sprlllgs. waShers. bJIl seJts. track rOd ends and housing. Tighten the hOllsmgs. to obwin a rowtionnltorque of 7 N m (5 Ibf It). then lock them w ith the locknuts. Recheck the torque alter tiuhtening the locknut 17 Drill new holes (even If the o ld holes Jre in aliunment). 4 mm {O, 16
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Chapter 10 Suspension and steering 171
19 4C Removinu the top steering column Shroud 19 G lunitlon SWitch ,1nd wirlllU (A). also COllll'lII upper mOlUllnl!J holt (0) 19.7 Removing the steering column uppcr mounlul(J holt (arrowed)
'5 Secure Ihe SIt:(;(1I1(1 lock 10 Ihe colulIlIl ,lIal ~heil' the h eads I,om ,he m:w holt~ 11) U~e the stecrin\J lock to locate the shaft in Ihe column. then III Ihe )ct,on mdlGltor OICIlJalinn GUll alld Stecrmn wheel. CtlCC~ that Ihe ruadwheels afC st,lIln the 5trai\jht·ahead P05,110l1. 17 Install the Stce!Ul(J column orommet Oil the lowm en(t. 18 LOCille the column assembly ami sr:c",e It wrth the Iwo mOllrlllng bolts. 19 The ((,milliuler of the rellllUI\J proccrl",e ,~ th" reverSI! of lhe removill procedure,
20 F ront wheel alignment and steering ilngles
Accurate front whcel alignment IS essential lor good stoer"'g and lyre WOiJr. Scion) cons,dering the steering angle. check Ihat Ihe tyres
are correctly inflated. tllnt the front wheel s arc nOI IJlJckled. the hub hea"nns arc not worn o r mcorrectly adjusted und thilt the sleflr"'g IlIlkaUfl is in IJood order. wllhout slackness or we,ll at thu Jo,nls
2 WIH;f; 1 "I'!JIununt co"s'st~ 01 loUl I"ctors, C;"lliJcr_ IS the ""Ule "t wilich the front whet:ls ,lie sci from Ihe
verllcal when v'ewud 100'" the IrOnt 01 the c"r 1'0sIt,ve camber 's Ihe .. mount (111 de\J'ee~) th"t til() whucls ,ue toited outwards at the lOp 100'"
thu vert,c;,1
Castor. ,~tho i"'~Jlu between the SIl,erlIlU ,,~,s OIrld.1 v..,'I,e.11 lone len viewud IrOIll p,lch ~,dfl 01 the C,lI 1'0~;llIve castor 's when the ~tcermu ",x,s 'S ",cloned rUiHw,,,ds ill the top jStcerinu ilxis inclin,,{ion 's lhe illl\Jle. when VIewed frOI11 the .It 01 the Cilr. bel ween the verltcal and "n 1Il'''U>I1.1ry hne drawn betwCl)n the upper ilnd lower suspensIon strut p,vots, Toe-i n IS the ilmoUl,t by wh,ch tlte dl5li"'Ce helween the frOrlt
IIlsuJu ed\Je~ 01 the rOildwhecls ('He,lsu1ed m huh heiuht) ,s less thiln lhe d'sWrlCI) ",e 5 PI"ce the Cilr on level ground WIth the wheels 111 the sualghl·uheild pos' lion,
6
Oht"in or m"ke ne:w components have heen I'lted. set the ro"dwheels ,n the stral\jht·ilheil(f p05otrOn and also cent",lrse the steering wheel. AdJ"st the len\Jths of the track rods hy lllll1ing tltem so th,,! the track rod end IJ,litJoinl studs w,11 drop eils,ly onlO the eyes of the steer inu ilrlllS Measllfe the dislilllces between the centres of the hilllfOllllS illld the grooves on Ihe inner ends of the track rods and ildjust. ,r neceSSilry. so Ihiltthey me equ,ll Thl~ is all lII,t,,,1 sellinlJ only and prec,se ildillstmellt mu~t he carried oul as descrrhed earheL
21 Wheels and lyres -uonNal care and milintenl1nce
Wheels ilild tyre~ shOuld give no reill problems in usc provided thm ,1 close eye IS kept on Ihe", with re\janlto excessive weilr or dilmilge To llns end. the following pOllltS should he noted Ensure thm lyre pressures ",e checked re\Jularly ami ma,ntallled correctly. Checklllg should be c,Hried out woth the tyres cold alld nOI IIlHlledialely alter the vehicle hilS heen "I usc. II the pressures are checked w'th the tyres hOI. iln ap(l,Hently hi\jh readmlJ w,1l be ohw'lled OWlnH to heilt expJnsron. Under n<) Cllcumst"Iucs.
eSpecii\lIy 111 the s,dewalls Remove any na,ls or stones ell\bedded 111 the tread hefore they penetr"te lhe tyre 10 cnuse dcfliltlon If remov,,1 {)i dilll1i1ged by ·kerbing· wh,lst par king. and simililrly stee l wheels may hecome denIed or buckled, Renewnl of the wheel rs very ohenthe only course of rellled'ill ilct,on poss,ble, The balance 01 each wheel Jnd tyre ilssembly should be mainta,ned to ilvoid excess,ve weilr, not only 10 the tyres but illso to the s teering and suspension components. Wheel imbillilnce 's normilily S'\ln, f,ed by v,i)rilllOn through the veillcle·s bodyshell. illthouUh III many c~ses it IS piullcularly nOliceahle Ihrouoh the steenng whuel. Conversely. it ~hould bc noted thilt weilr o r dilnlaUc 111 suspellS IOll or steer ing components may '.:ause e~ceSSlve tyre wear. Out·of·round or out-of· t!Ue lyres, damaged wheels and wheel !leafing weilf/ nlilladJustntent also lilll into th ,.
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