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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Upper Arm —
Cobra
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. Remove both wheel and tire assemblies. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 04 .
4. Remove the rear brake disc. For additional information, refer to Section 206 - 04 .
5. Remove the rear springs (5560). For additional information, refer to Spring — Cobra in this
section.
6. Raise the subframe into position and remove the front bolts.
7. Lower the subframe from the vehicle.
8. Mark the cam bolt position relative to the upper suspension arm and bushing (5500).
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Wheel Knuckle —
Cobra
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. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 04 .
4. Remove and discard the rear hub retainer (4B477).
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Front Hub Remover
205-
D070 (D93P-1175- B) or
Equivalent Steering Arm Remover
211-
003 (T64P-9171- A) Klj . 1 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Toe Link —
Cobra
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 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 rear brake disc. For additional information, refer to Section 206 - 04 .
4. Support the lower suspension arm and bushing (5A649) with a jack stand.
5. Remove the nut and bolt and disconnect the shock absorber (18125) from the lower suspension arm and bushing. Discard the nut and bolt.
6. Remove and discard the cotter pin and nut.
SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Steering Arm Remover
211-
003 (T64P-9171- A) Klj . 1 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Spring —
Cobra
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 on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Section 100 - 02 .
2. Support the No. 1 crossmember with a jack stand.
3. Remove both wheel and tire assemblies. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 04 .
4. Remove both mufflers. For additional information, refer to Section 309 - 00 .
5. Remove the driveshaft. For additional information, refer to Section 205 - 01 .
6. Disconnect the parking brake cable and conduits from the parking brake levers.
7. Remove the clip and disconnect the parking brake cable and conduits from the rear brake calipers. SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Rotunda Powertrain Lift
014-00765 or Equivalent Klj . 1 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Damper
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. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204 - 04 .
3. Disconnect the damper from the axle. 1. Remove the bolt.
2. Disconnect the damper.
4. Remove the damper. 1. Remove the nut.
2. Remove the outer washer.
3. Remove the damper.
Installation 1. Make sure the inner washer is positioned on the stud. SECTION 204-
02: Rear Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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SPECIFICATIONS
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual General Specifications
Item Specification
Lubricants
Silicone Dielectric Compound D7AZ-
19A331-
A ESE-
M1C171- A Cleaners
Liquid Soap ESR-
M99B135- A Professional Choke and Linkage Cleaner
E8AZ-
19A501- AA ESR-
M14P10- A Custom Bright Metal Cleaner
8A-19522-
A ESR-
M5B194- B Aluminum Wheel Repair Compound E7AZ-
19554-
A ESA-
M4G280- A Tire Balance Weight
Max tire balance weight 140g (5 oz) per wheel
70g (2.5 oz) per flange Tire inflation
Tires See safety certification sticker located inside glove
compartment door
Torque Specifications Description Nm lb-
ft Wheel nuts 129 95 Klj . 1 ba
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2.
NOTE: Measure the end play with a Dial Indicator with Bracketry and not by feel.
Knock is also caused by excessive end play in the axle shafts. Up to 0.762 mm (0.030 inch) is
allowed in semi- float axles. The frequency of the knock will be less because the axle shaft
speed is slower than the driveshaft.
Clunk
Clunk is a metallic noise heard when the automatic transmission is engaged in REVERSE or DRIVE.
The noise may also occur when throttle is applied or released. It is caused by backlash somewhere in
the driveline or loose suspension components; it is felt or heard in the axle. Refer to Total Backlash
Check in this section.
Additionally, clunk may be heard upon initial drive- away. This occurs as engine torque shifts vehicle
weight, forcing changes in driveline angles, preventing the driveshaft slip- yoke from sliding on the
output shaft. To correct for this condition, lubricate the slip- yoke splines.
Total Backlash Check 1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Section 100 - 02 .
2. Remove the driveshaft. Refer to Section 205 - 01 .
3. Install the special tool. zClamp a rigid bar or pipe to the tool. Clamp the other end of the bar or pipe to the frame
or a body member in order to prevent movement of the rear axle pinion flange.
4. Lower the vehicle so that one rear wheel is resting on a wheel chock to prevent it from turning. The other rear wheel will be used to measure total rear axle backlash.
5. Rotate the free wheel slowly, by hand, until the feeling of driving the rear axle is encountered. Place a mark on the side of the tire, 305 mm (12 inches) from the center of the wheel, with a Klj . 9 ba
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off the floor.
With the engine off, raise only one rear wheel. Install the special tool on the wheel nuts.
Use a torque wrench with a capacity of at least 271 Nm (200 lb-
ft) to rotate the axle shaft. Be sure that
the transmission is in NEUTRAL, and that one rear wheel is on the floor while the other rear wheel is
raised off the floor. The breakaway torque required to start rotation must be at least 27 Nm (20 lb- ft).
The initial breakaway torque may be higher than the continuous turning torque.
The axle shaft must turn with even pressure throughout the check without slipping or binding. If the
torque reading is less than specified, check the differential case. Refer to Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B .
Traction- Lok® Differential Check Road Test
1. Place one wheel on a dry surface and the other wheel on ice, mud or snow.
2. Gradually open the throttle to obtain maximum traction prior to break away. The ability to move the vehicle demonstrates correct operation of a Traction- Lok® rear axle assembly.
3. When starting with one wheel on an excessively slippery surface, a slight application of the parking brake may be necessary to help energize the Traction- Lok® feature of the differential.
Release the brake when traction is established. Use light throttle on starting to provide
maximum traction.
4. If, with unequal traction, both wheels slip, the limited slip rear axle has done all it can possibly do.
5. In extreme cases of differences in traction, the wheel with the least traction may spin after the Traction-Lok® has transferred as much torque as possible to the non- slipping wheel. Klj . 15 ba
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