2003 FORD MUSTANG differential

z
Is the runout within specifications? persists,GO to
K8 .
No
INSTALL a new wheel.
CHECK the runout on the
new wheel. If the new
wheel is within limits,
LOCATE and MARK the
low spot. INSTALL the
tire, matching the high
spot on the tire with the
low spot on the wheel.
BALANCE the assembly.
TEST the system for
normal operation. If the
condition persists, GO to
K8 .
K8 CHECK FOR VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE
VEHICLE WARNING: If only one drive wheel is allowed to
rotate, speed must be limited to 55 km/h (34 mph) using
the speedometer reading, since actual wheel speed will
be twice that indicated on the speedometer. Exceeding a
speed of 55 km/h (34 mph) or allowing the drive wheel to
hang unsupported can result in tire disintegration or
differential failure, which can cause serious personal
injury and extensive vehicle damage.
z Spin the front wheel and tire assemblies with a wheel
balancer while the vehicle is raised on a hoist. Feel for
vibration in the front fender or while seated in the vehicle.
z Is the vibration present? Yes
SUBSTITUTE known
good wheel and tire
assemblies as necessary.
TEST the system for
normal operation.
No
GO to
K9 .
K9 CHECK FOR VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE
VEHICLE WARNING: If only one drive wheel is allowed to
rotate, speed must be limited to 55 km/h (34 mph) using
the speedometer reading, since actual wheel speed will
be twice that indicated on the speedometer. Exceeding a
speed of 55 km/h (34 mph) or allowing the drive wheel to
hang unsupported can result in tire disintegration or
differential failure, which can cause serious personal
injury and extensive vehicle damage.
z Chock the front wheels.
z Raise and support the rear end of the vehicle so that the rear
wheel and tire assemblies can spin.
z Engage the drivetrain and carefully accelerate the drive
wheels while checking for vibration.
z Is the vibration present? Yes
GO to
K10 .
No
TEST the system for
normal operation. K10 CHECK THE DRIVETRAIN
WARNING: If only one drive wheel is allowed to
rotate, speed must be limited to 55 km/h (34 mph) using
the speedometer reading, since actual wheel speed will
be twice that indicated on the speedometer. Exceeding a
speed of 55 km/h (34 mph) or allowing the drive wheel to
hang unsupported can result in tire disintegration or
differential failure, which can cause serious personal
injury and extensive vehicle damage.
z Remove the rear wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to the Yes
CHECK/TEST the
drivetrain and driveline
components. TEST the
system for normal
operation.
No
SUBSTITUTE known
good wheel and tire Klj . 60 ba
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5. In the following steps, the movement of the contact pattern along the length is indicated as
toward the" heel" or "toe" of the differential ring gear.
6. Apply a marking compound to a third of the gear teeth on the differential ring gear. Rotate the differential ring gear several complete turns in both directions until a good, clear tooth pattern is
obtained. Inspect the contact patterns on the ring gear teeth.
7. A good contact pattern should be centered on the tooth. It can also be slightly toward the toe. There should always be some clearance between the contact pattern and the top of the tooth.
z Tooth contact pattern shown on the drive side of the gear teeth. 8. A high, thick contact pattern that is worn more toward the toe. Item Description
1 Heel
2 Toe Klj . 65 ba
702003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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z
Tooth contact pattern shown on the drive side of the gear teeth.
z The high contact pattern indicates that the drive pinion is not installed deep enough into the
carrier.
z The differential ring gear backlash is correct, a thinner drive pinion shim is needed. A decrease
will move the drive pinion toward the differential ring gear.
9. A high, thin contact pattern that is worn toward the toe. z Tooth contact pattern shown on the drive side of the gear teeth.
z The drive pinion depth is correct. Increase the differential ring gear backlash.
10. A contact pattern that is worn in the center of the differential ring gear tooth toward the heel. z Tooth contact pattern shown on the drive side of the gear teeth.
z The low contact pattern indicates that the drive pinion is installed too deep into the carrier.
z The differential ring gear backlash is correct. A thicker drive pinion shim is needed.
11. A contact pattern that is worn at the top of the differential ring gear tooth toward the heel. Klj . 66 ba
702003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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z
Tooth contact pattern shown on the drive side of the gear teeth.
z The pinion gear depth is correct. Decrease the differential ring gear backlash.
Tire Wear Patterns and frequency calculations Tire Wear Chart Klj . 67 ba
702003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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SPECIFICATIONS
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Torque Specifications
Description Nm lb-
ft lb-
in Mustang
Rear shock absorber (upper attachment) 40 30 —
Rear shock absorber (lower attachment) 80 59 —
Shock absorber clevis bracket-to-
axle nut 108 80 —
Upper arm-
to-frame bolt 97 72 —
Upper arm-
to-axle bolt 111 82 —
Lower arm-
to-body attachment bolt 150 111 —
Lower arm-
to-axle bolt 150 111 —
Stabilizer bar-
to-lower arm bolt 55 41 —
Parking brake cable bracket 55 41 —
Axle damper front bolt 90 66 —
Axle damper rear nut 90 66 —
Axle damper bracket-
to-frame bolt 80 59 —
Pinion bumper mount-
to-body bolts 14 10 —
Bracket assembly-
to-differential housing bolt 48 35 —
Wheel nuts 129 95 —
Cobra
Subframe-to-
body bolts 103 76 —
Subframe-to-
rear bracket bolts 103 76 —
Subframe rear bracket-
to-body bolts 80 59 —
Shock absorber-
to-lower arm and bushing bolts 133 98 —
Shock absorber-
to-body nuts 40 30 —
Upper arm and bushing-
to-subframe nuts 90 66 —
Upper arm and bushing-
to-knuckle nut 90 66 —
Lower arm and bushing-
to-subframe bolts 250 184 —
Lower arm and bushing-
to-knuckle nut 115 85 —
Toe link-
to-subframe nut 48 35 —
Toe link-
to-knuckle nut 48 35 —
Stabilizer bar bracket bolt 55 41 —
Stabilizer bar link nuts 48 35 —
Rear axle differential rear insulator-
to-axle housing bolts 103 76 —
Rear brake disc dust shield-
to-knuckle bolts 10 — 89
Brake line-
to-rear brake caliper bolt 40 30 —
Parking brake cable bracket-
to-lower arm and bushing bolt 15 11 —
ABS sensor bolt 23 17 — Klj . 1 ba
22003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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Item Part
Number Description
1 18125 Rear shock absorber
2 — Rear axle driveline vibration damper
3 5A649 Rear lower suspension arm and bushing (common
LH and RH)
4 5560 Rear spring
5 4731 Rear axle bumper bracket
6 4905 Rear axle differential carrier bumper and bracket
7 5A772 Rear stabilizer bar
8 5500 Rear upper suspension arm and bushing
(common LH and RH) Klj . 2 ba
22003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Upper Arm
Removal
CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital
components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with
the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. If substitution is
necessary, the part must be of the same finish and property class. Torque values must be used
as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
1. Mark the rear shock absorber (18125) relative to the protective sleeve with the vehicle in a static, level ground position (curb height).
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Section 100 - 02 .
3. Support the differential housing with a jack stand.
4. Disconnect the upper arm and bushing (5500) from the axle. 1. Remove and discard the nut and bolt.
2. Disconnect the arm and bushing from the axle.
5. Remove the upper arm and bushing from the mounting bracket. 1. Remove and discard the nut and bolt.
2. Remove the arm and bushing.
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
42003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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4. Remove the bolt and the parking brake cable bracket. Discard the bolt.
Vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 2V engine 5. Remove the stabilizer bar (5A772). For additional information, refer to Stabilizer Bar in this
section.
All vehicles 6. Support the differential housing with a jack stand.
7. Position the special tool 014- 00942 under the rear lower suspension arm and bushing- to-axle
pivot bolt.
8. Remove and discard the pivot bolt and nut.
9. Remove the spring (5560). 1. Slowly lower the arm with the special tool 014- 00942.
2. Remove the rear spring and the rear spring insulators (5536). Installation Klj . 2 ba
52003 Mustang Workshop Manual
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