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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Shock Absorber
Removal
WARNING: All vehicles are equipped with gas pressurized shock absorbers which will
extend unassisted. Do not apply heat or flame to the shock absorbers during removal or
component servicing. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal injury.
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 or an equivalent part must be installed, if installation is necessary. Do
not use a part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified
during reassembly to ensure proper retention of these parts.
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Section 100 - 02 .
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 04 .
3. Remove the front brake disc. For additional information, refer to Section 206 - 03 .
4. Remove the bolt and the ABS sensor.
5. Unclip the ABS sensor wire from the bracket.
6. Remove the nut and the ABS sensor wire bracket.
SECTION 204-
01: Front Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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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
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Stabilizer Bar
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. Raise the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100 - 02 .
2. Disconnect the anti- lock brake sensor wires from the brackets.
3. Remove the parking brake cable brackets. 1. Remove and discard the bolts.
2. Remove the parking brake cable brackets.
4. Remove the bolts and the stabilizer bar (5A772). Discard the bolts.
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Spring —
Coil
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.
All vehicles
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. For additional information, refer to Section 100 - 02 .
3. Disconnect the anti- lock sensor wire.
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Hi-
Lift Jack
014- 00942 or Equivalent Klj . 1 ba
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11. Connect the anti-
lock sensor wire.
12. Lower the vehicle. Klj . 5 ba
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8. Disconnect the parking brake cable and conduits from the knuckles (5A968/5A969).
9. Remove the bolts and the parking brake cable brackets.
10. Remove the bolts and the rear brake lines.
11. Remove the bolts and the ABS sensors. Klj . 2 ba
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12. Unclip the ABS sensor wires from the subframe.
13. Support the lower suspension arm and bushings (5A649) with jack stands.
14. Remove the nuts, bolts and disconnect the shock absorbers (18125) from the lower suspension
arm and bushings. Discard the bolts and nuts.
15. Lower the lower suspension arm and bushings and remove the jack stands.
16. Support the rear subframe using the special tool 014- 00765.
17. Remove and discard the nuts from the subframe front bolts. Klj . 3 ba
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6. Remove the special tool 014-
00765.
7. Support the lower suspension arm and bushings with jack stands.
8. CAUTION: Make sure the hardened washer is installed between the lower
suspension arm and bushing and the shock absorber. Failure to do so can result in
damage and failure of the lower suspension arm and bushing.
Connect the shock absorbers to the lower suspension arm and bushing and install new bolts
and nuts.
9. Clip the ABS sensor wires to the subframe.
10. Install the ABS sensors and the bolts. Klj . 6 ba
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