2003 FORD MUSTANG steering

REFER to
Section 204 - 04 .
z Strut(s). zINSTALL new strut(s) as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 .
z Shock absorber(s). zINSTALL new shock absorber
(s) as necessary.
z Loose front
stabilizer bar (5482)
or rear stabilizer
bar (5A772). z
TIGHTEN to specification.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Worn stabilizer
assembly bushing
(s). z
INSTALL new bushing(s) as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Front coil spring(s)
or rear spring(s). z
INSTALL new front coil
springs or rear springs as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Vehicle leans to
one side z
Unevenly loaded or
overloaded vehicle. z
NOTIFY the customer of
incorrect vehicle loading.
z Front or rear
suspension
components. z
INSPECT the front and rear
suspension system. REPAIR
or INSTALL new suspension
components as necessary.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Front coil springs or
rear springs. z
INSTALL new front coil
springs or rear springs as
necessary. REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Incorrect ride
height. Lateral tilt
out of specification. z
CHECK ride height. INSTALL
new front coil springs or rear
springs as necessary. REFER
to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Vibration/noise zTire or wheel
runout.
z Tire flatspotting.
z Wheel bearings.
z Wheel hubs.
z Brake components.
z Suspension
components.
z Steering
components. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 .
z Wander zUnevenly loaded or
overloaded vehicle. z
NOTIFY the customer of
incorrect vehicle loading.
z Ball joint(s). zGO to the Ball Joint Inspection
component test in this section.
z Front wheel bearing
(s). z
REFER to Wheel Bearing Inspection in this section.
z Loose, worn or
damaged
suspension
components(s). z
INSTALL new suspension
components as necessary.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 .
z Loose suspension
fasteners. z
TIGHTEN to specification.
REFER to Section 204 - 01 or
Section 204 - 02 . Klj . 4 ba
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Component Tests
Ball Joint Inspection
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Section 100 - 02 .
2. Prior to performing any inspection of the ball joints, inspect the wheel bearings.
3. Position a safety stand beneath the front suspension lower arm (3079) to be tested.
4. While an assistant pulls and pushes the bottom of the tire, observe the relative movement between the lower spindle arm and the front suspension lower arm ball joint. Any movement at
or exceeding the specification indicates a worn or damaged lower ball joint. Install a new front
suspension lower arm. Refer to Section 204 - 01 . z
Steering
components. z
REFER to Section 211 - 00 .
z Wheel alignment. zCHECK wheel alignment.
ADJUST as necessary
(excessive total front toe out). Klj . 5 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Toe Adjustment —
Front
1. Start the engine and center the steering wheel.
2. Turn the engine off, and hold the steering wheel in the straight forward position by attaching a rigid link from the steering wheel to the seat.
3. Check the toe settings. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Remove the clamps.
5. Loosen the nuts. zClean and lubricate the nut(s) and front wheel spindle tie- rod threads.
6. NOTE: Do not allow the steering gear bellows to twist when the front wheel spindle tie- rod
(3280) is rotated.
Rotate the front wheel spindle tie- rods.
SECTION 204-
00: Suspension System — General Information 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
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SPECIFICATIONS
SECTION 204-
01: Front Suspension 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Torque Specifications
Description Nm lb-
ft lb-
in Front shock absorber upper nut 100 74 —
Front shock absorber-
to-spindle nuts 200 148 —
Shock absorber upper mount-
to-body nuts 40 30 —
Shock absorber upper mount-
to-body bolt 40 30 —
Wheel hub and bearing retainer nut 350 258 —
Stabilizer bar bracket nuts 70 52 —
Stabilizer bar link nuts 19 14 —
Anti-
lock brake sensor bolt 6 — 53
Anti-
lock brake sensor wire bracket nut 28 21 —
Ball joint-
to-front wheel spindle nut 175 129 —
Front suspension lower arm-
to-body nuts 200 148 —
Tie-
rod- to-spindle nuts 55 41 —
Steering gear-
to-crossmember nuts 70 52 —
Wheel nuts 129 95 — Klj . 1 ba
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8.
CAUTION: Correctly support the power rack and pinion steering gear to avoid
damaging the gear and hoses.
Position the power rack and steering gear out of the way. 1. Remove the nuts and bolts.
2. Position the steering gear so the front suspension lower arm front bolt can be removed.
9. Support the front suspension lower arm with a jack stand inboard of the spring seat.
10. NOTE: Note position of the front coil spring (5310) in the lower arm spring seat. It must be
installed in the same position.
Using the special tool, compress the spring until it is loose in the spring insulator (5415). 11. Remove the front suspension lower arm pivot nuts and bolts. Klj . 3 ba
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6. Move the jack stand under the front suspension lower arm ball joint and raise the suspension
until the shock absorber is compressed to the previously established alignment mark (curb
height).
7. Tighten the nuts.
8. Remove the jack stand.
9. Install the power rack and pinion steering gear. Klj . 6 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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