FORD MUSTANG 2003 Workshop Manual

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Safety Precautions
WARNING: Never run the engine with one wheel off the ground, for example, when
changing a tire. The wheel(s) resting on the ground could cause the vehicle to move.
WARNING: The tire and wheel must always be correctly matched. It is very important to
determine the size of each component before any assembly operations commence. Failure to
adhere to these instructions can result in an explosive separation and cause serious bodily
injury or death.
WARNING: Aftermarket aerosol tire sealants are extremely flammable. Always question
the customer to make sure these products have not been used.
WARNING: Aftermarket wheel assemblies may not be compatible with the vehicle. Use of
incompatible wheel assemblies can result in equipment failure and possible injury. Use only
approved wheel assemblies.
WARNING: Use only wheels and wheel nuts that have been designed for current model
year Ford trucks. Aftermarket wheels or wheel nuts may not fit or function correctly, and can
cause personal injury or damage the vehicle.
WARNING: Always wear safety goggles or a face shield when performing any work with
tire and wheel assemblies.
CAUTION: Do not clean aluminum wheels with steel wool, abrasive- type cleaners or
strong detergents. Use Custom Bright Metal Cleaner 8A-19522- A or equivalent meeting Ford
specifications ESR- M5B194-B.
CAUTION: Reduce the air pressure as much as possible by pushing the valve core
plunger in prior to removing the valve core. Avoid working in a position in which the face or
body is directly over a tire in which there is pressure.
When performing any inspection or repair procedures on wheels (1007/1015) and tires, follow the
preceding safety precautions. SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
22003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

Klj . 2 ba
22003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Wheels And Tires
WARNING: Do not mix different types of tires, such as radial, bias, or bias- belted, on the
same vehicle except in emergencies. Vehicle handling can be seriously affected and can result
in loss of control.
Factory-installed tires and wheels are designed to operate satisfactorily with loads up to and including
full- rated load capacity when inflated to recommended inflation pressures.
Tire and Wheel Runout
Excessive radial and lateral runout of a wheel and tire assembly can cause roughness, vibration,
wheel tramp, tire wear, and steering wheel tremor.
Before checking runout, and to avoid false readings caused by temporary flat spots in the tires, check
runout only after the vehicle has been driven far enough to warm the tires. For additional information,
refer to Section 100 - 04 .
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
12003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Wheels And Tires
Inspection and Verification
WARNING: A vehicle equipped with a Traction- Lok® differential will always have both
wheels driving. If, while the vehicle is being serviced, only one wheel is raised off the ground
and the rear axle is driven by the engine, the wheel on the ground could drive the vehicle off
the stand or jack. Be sure both rear wheels are off the ground.
WARNING: Never run the engine with one wheel off the ground, for example, when
changing a tire. The wheel(s) resting on the ground could cause the vehicle to move.
WARNING: Do not balance the wheels and tires while they are mounted on the vehicle.
Possible tire disintegration or differential failure could result, causing personal injury and
extensive component damage. Use off- vehicle wheel and tire balancer only.
Be sure to follow the warnings when carrying out inspection and verification.
Road Test
Verify the customer concern by carrying out a road test on a smooth road. If any vibrations are
apparent, refer to Section 100 - 04 .
To maximize tire performance, inspect for signs of incorrect inflation and uneven wear, which may
indicate a need for balancing, rotation, or front suspension alignment.
Correct tire pressure and driving techniques have an important influence on tire life. Heavy cornering,
excessively rapid acceleration and unnecessary sharp braking increases tire wear.
Replacement tires must follow the recommended:
ztire sizes.
z speed rating.
z load range.
z tire construction type.
Use of any other tire size or type can seriously affect:
zride.
z handling.
z speedometer/odometer calibration.
z vehicle ground clearance.
z tire clearance between the body and chassis.
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
42003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

z
wheel bearing life.
z brake cooling.
New wheels need to be installed when vehicle's wheels:
zare bent.
z are cracked.
z are dented.
z are heavily corroded.
z are leaking.
z have elongated wheel hub bolt holes.
z have excessive lateral or radial runout.
Wheel and tire assemblies are attached by six wheel nuts.
It is mandatory to use only the tire sizes recommended on the tire chart attached to the vehicle. Larger
or smaller tires can damage the vehicle, affect durability, and require changing the speedometer
calibration. Make sure wheel size and offsets match those recommended for the tire in use. 1. Inspect for signs of uneven wear that may indicate a need for balancing, rotation, front suspension alignment, damaged tie- rod, or steering components.
2. Check tires for: zcuts.
z stone bruises.
z abrasions
z blisters.
z embedded objects.
3. Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. Install a new tire when the indicator bands become visible.
Symptom Chart Symptom Chart Condition
Possible Sources Action
z Tires show
excess wear on
edge of tread z
Underinflated tires. zADJUST air pressure
in tires.
z Vehicle overloaded. zRETURN vehicle.
NOTIFY customer of
overload condition.
z High- speed cornering. zRETURN vehicle.
NOTIFY customer of
cause of condition.
z Incorrect ride height. zSET ride height.
z Incorrect wheel alignment. zSET alignment to
specification. REFER Klj . 2 ba
42003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

to
Section 204 - 00 .
z Incorrect tire rotation
intervals. z
ADVISE customer of
condition. ROTATE
tires.
z Tires show
excess wear in
center of tread z
Tires overinflated. zADJUST air pressure.
z Other excessive
tire wear
problems z
Incorrect tire rotation
intervals. z
ADVISE customer of
condition. ROTATE
tires.
z Incorrect tire pressure. zADJUST pressure.
z Loose or leaking shock
absorbers. z
TIGHTEN or INSTALL
new shock absorbers
as necessary.
z Incorrect wheel alignment. zSET alignment to
specification. REFER
to Section 204 - 00 .
z Loose, worn or damaged
suspension components. z
REFER to Section 204 - 00 .
z Wheel and tire assembly
out of balance. z
BALANCE wheel and
tire assembly.
z Excessive lateral or radial
runout of wheel. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 .
z Wobble or
shimmy z
Damaged wheel bearings. zREFER to Section 204 - 00 .
z Loose or damaged
suspension components. z
REFER to Section 204 - 00 .
z Bent wheel. zINSTALL a new wheel
as necessary.
z Damaged tire. zINSTALL a new tire as
necessary.
z Loose wheel nuts. zTIGHTEN to
specification.
z High- speed
shake z
Wheel hub face/pilot/bolt
circle runout.
z Tires/wheels.
z Wheel bearings.
z Suspension/steering
linkage.
z Engine.
z Transmission.
z Brake discs/imbalance. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 .
z Vehicle vibration zDriveline — engine.
z Tires. z
REFER to Section 100 - 04 . Klj . 3 ba
42003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

Klj . 4 ba
42003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

GENERAL PROCEDURES
Wheel Leaks
WARNING: Wheel repairs that use welding or peening are not approved. An inner tube is
not an acceptable repair for leaking wheels or tires.
If the air pressure in a tire mounted on an aluminum wheel is found to be low, perform the
following procedure before considering installation of a new wheel.
1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly, and inspect the wheel for structural damage. If none exists, go to Step 2. If the wheel is damaged, install a new wheel.
2. With the tire mounted on the wheel, locate the air leak using a water bath or equivalent method, and mark the location. Check the complete wheel for possible additional leaks. When leaks are
marked, dismount the tire marking valve location on the tire for correct indexing.
3. On the tire side of the wheel, thoroughly clean the leaking area with an appropriate choke cleaner or use sandpaper of approximately 80- grit to remove all contamination. Using the
sandpaper, score the surface of the leaking area to improve adhesion of the sealer. If the valve
stem is close to the area, remove it.
4. Use a clean cloth to remove all cleaner or sanding dust.
5. NOTE: Do not use a torch containing oxyacetylene.
Heat the prepared area with a Heat Gun or a propane torch until aluminum wheel repair
compound flows. Apply the hot melt material over the prepared area using a liberal flow and
wiping action. Repair is most effective when heat is applied to the brake side of the rim, and the
sealer is melted by heat in the metal.
6. Apply only enough heat to melt the sealer, then remove the heat source. After repairing the leak, allow the wheel to cool until it can be handled safety.
7. CAUTION: Use caution when mounting the tire so as not to damage the sealer.
Index and assemble the tire and wheel. Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure as
indicated on the tire pressure decal.
8. Repeat Step 2 to verify repair.
9. When the repair is completed, balance the assembly and install it on the vehicle.
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Material
Item Specification
Professional Choke and
Linkage Cleaner
F8AZ-
19520- AB WSS-
M14P10-
B Aluminum Wheel Repair
Compound ESA-
M4G280-
A Klj . 1 ba
22003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

Klj . 2 ba
22003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Wheel And Tire
Removal
1. CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized wheel nut (1012). Heat can damage
the wheel and wheel bearings.
NOTE: To avoid damage or scratching to the center cap, place facing up when removed.
Loosen the wheel nuts. 1. NOTE: To avoid wheel damage, do not twist wrench when removing center cap.
Remove the center cap, if equipped.
2. Loosen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts.
2. CAUTION: Never use the differential housing as a lifting point.
Raise the vehicle until the tire clears the ground. For additional information, refer to Section 100 - 02 .
3. CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized wheel because heat can shorten the
life of the wheel and damage the wheel bearings. If the wheel cannot be removed by
hand, use a wheel puller to remove the seized wheel.
Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
zRemove the wheel nuts.
z Remove the wheel and tire.
SECTION 204-
04: Wheels and Tires 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Klj . 1 ba
32003 Mustang Workshop Manual
17. 11. 2011file:///C:/Ford/2000 - 2004/tsocache/SHEF_4464/S3B~us~en~ ...