FORD MUSTANG 1969 Volume One Chassis

03-02-15

Suspension

03-02-15

BUSHING

BUSHING

WASHER

BOLT
K5s»

LOCKWASHER

STRUT

NUT
;Y'0lT-£ii *

' N
WASHER
>*V ©"*

LOCKWASHER #

NUT
SHER/
©^—
SLOWER
ARM
ASSY.

«
^PLUG

INSULATOR

WASHER

NUT

NUT

F1221-B

FIG. 22—Front Suspension Componentsprocarmanuals.com

03-02-16
Suspension

03-02-16

2.
Place a jack under the outer end

of the arm.

3.
Tape the upper and lower spring

insulators to the spring.

4.
Compress the coil spring with

Tool 5310-A (Fig. 23) and place the

spring and insulators in position. Be

sure both ends of the spring are prop-

erly seated, and raise the arm. Guide

the spindle boss over the ball joint

stud.

5.
Install the ball joint stud retain-

ing nut and torque it to specification.

Continue tightening the nut to line up

the cotter pin hole. Install a new cot-

ter pin.

6. Connect the stabilizer bar to the

lower arm. Torque the nut to specifi-

cation.

7.
Connect the drag strut to the

lower arm. Torque the nuts to specifi-

cation.

8. Install the shock absorber.

9. Tighten the splash shield attach-

ing bolts to specifications.

10.
Install the hub and rotor on the

spindle and adjust the wheel bearings.

11.
Install the caliper to the spindle

and tighten the attaching bolts to

specifications. Check for the correct

flexible hose routing (Part 2-2).

12.
Install the wheel and tire on the

hub.
Torque the wheel lug nuts to

specifications and remove the support

stands.

13.
With the front end weight of

the car on the wheels, torque the

lower arm-to-crossmember bolt at-

taching nut to specification.

FRONT SUSPENSION

LOWER ARM

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

position safety stands under both sides

of the frame just back of the lower

arms.

2.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover.

3.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—Remove the wheel and tire

and brake drum as an assembly. Re-

move the brake backing plate attach-

ing bolts and remove the backing

plate from the spindle. Wire the back-

ing plate to the underbody to prevent

damage to the brake hose.

4.
If equipped with disc brakes-

—Remove the wheel and tire from the
•Tool—5310-A

F 1491-A

FIG. 23—Coil Spring Compressed

for Installation

F1437-A

FIG. 24—Removing Front Spring

—Lower Arm Replacement

hub.
Remove 2 bolts and washers that

attach the caliper and brake hose to

the spindle. Remove the caliper from

the rotor and wire it to the underbody

to prevent damage to the brake hose.

Then, remove the hub and rotor from

the spindle.

5.
Disconnect the lower end of the

shock absorber, and push it up to the

retracted position.

6. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link

from the lower arm.

7.
Remove the cotter pins from the

upper and lower ball joint stud nuts.

8. Remove 2 bolts and nuts attach-

ing the strut to the lower arm.

9. Loosen the lower ball joint stud

nut one or two turns. Do not remove

the nut from the stud at this time.

10.
Install Tool T57P-3OO6-A bet-

ween the upper and lower ball joint

studs (Fig. 7). The tool should be

seated firmly against the ends of both

studs and not against the stud nuts.

11.
With a wrench, turn the adapter

screw until the tool places the stud

under tension. Tap the spindle near

the lower stud with a hammer to loos-
en the stud in the spindle. Do not

loosen the stud from the spindle with

tool pressure only.

12.
Position a floor jack under the

lower arm (Fig. 24) and remove the

lower ball joint stud nut.

13.
Lower the floor jack and re-

move the sprina and insulator (Fie.

25).

14.
Remove one nut and bolt at-

taching the lower control arm to the

No.
2 crossmember and remove the

lower arm (Fig. 24).

Installation

1.
Position the lower arm to the

No.
2 crossmember and loosely install

the attaching bolt and nut (Fig. 1).

2.
Position the spring and insulator

to the upper spring pad and lower

arm. Using a floor jack, compress the

spring and guide the lower ball joint

stud into the spindle hole.

3.
Install the ball joint stud attach-

ing nut and torque to specification.

Continue to tighten the nut until the

cotter pin hole is in line with the nut

slots.
Install a cotter pin in the upper

and lower ball joint studs.

4.
Pull the shock absorber down

and connect it to the lower arm.

5.
Position the strut and bumper to

the lower arm. Install the attaching

bolts and nuts and torque to specifica-

tion.

6. Torque the lower arm to No. 2

crossmember attaching bolt and nut to

specifications.

7.
Position the stabilizer bar link to

the lower arm and install the attach-

ing nuts.

8. If equipped with drum type

brakes—Position the brake backing

plate to the spindle and install the at-

taching bolts. Torque the bolts to spe-

cification. Adjust the brakes as out-

lined in Group 2. Install the wheel,

tire,
and drum to the spindle and ad-

just the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12.

If equipped with disc brakes-Install

the hub and rotor on the spindle.

Position the caliper over the rotor and

install the attaching bolts. Torque the

bolts to specification. Install the

wheel and tire on the wheel hub and

adjust the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12.

9. Install the hub cap or wheel

cover.

10.
Remove the safety stands and'

lower the vehicle.

11.
Check the caster, camber, and

toe-in and adjust as required (Section

2,
Part 3-1).procarmanuals.com

03-02-17
Suspension

03-02-17

BOLT

REAR
ADJUSTMENT
5A486

NUT

BUSHING
OUTER
SLEEVE

3A187 3B282

CASTELLATED
FRONT
ADJUSTMENT

NUT
NUT
LOWER BALL JOINT

3042

F
1152-
E

FIG.
25—
Front
Suspension Assembly

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Position a support between the

upper arm and side rail as shown in

Figs.
8 and 9).

2.
Raise the vehicle, position safety

stands,
and remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the stabilizer bar and

link attaching nut. Disconnect the bar

from the link, and remove the link

bolt

4.
Remove the strut to lower arm

attaching nuts and bolts.

5.
Remove the cotter pin from the

nut on the lower ball joint stud, and

loosen the nut one or two turns. Do

not
remove the nut from the stud at

this
time.

6.
Straighten the cotter pin on the

upper ball joint stud nut. Position the

ball joint remover tool between the

upper and lower ball joint studs in the

reverse position from that shown in

Fig.
10. The tool should seat firmly

against the ends of both studs and not

against the stud nuts.

7.
Turn the tool with a wrench until

the tool places the studs under consid-

erable tension, and hit the spindle
near the lower stud smartly with a

hammer to break the stud loose in the

spindle. Do not loosen the stud in the

spindle with tool pressure only. If

both arms are being removed, loosen

the upper stud in the same manner as

the lower stud.

8. Remove the nut from the lower

ball joint stud, and lower the arm.

9. Remove the lower arm to under-

body pivot bolt, nut and washer. Re-

move the lower arm.

Installation

1.
Position the lower arm to the

underbody bracket and install the

pivot bolt, washer, and nut loosely.

2.
Raise the lower arm, guide the

lower ball joint stud into the spindle

bore,
and install the stud attaching

nut loosely.

3.
Install the stabilizer link bolt,

washers,
bushings and spacer. Connect

the stabilizer bar to the link. Install

the attaching nut and torque to speci-

fications (Fig. 25).

4.
Position the strut to the lower

arm. Install the attaching bolts and

nuts,
and torque to specification.

5.
Torque the lower ball joint stud

nut to specification, continue to tight-

en the nut until the cotter pin hole

and slots are aligned, and install a

new cotter pin.
6. Torque the lower arm- to

underbody pivot bolt and nut to speci-

fication.

7.
Remove the safety stands and

lower the vehicle.

8. Remove the support from be-

tween the upper arm and frame.

9.
Check and, if necessary, adjust

caster, camber, and toe-in.

FRONT
SUSPENSION

UPPER
ARM

FORD,
MERCURY,

METEOR,
THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL
MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

position safety stands under both sides

of the frame just back of the lower

arm.

2.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover.

3.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—remove the wheel and tire

and brake drum as an assembly (Part

3-12).

4.
If equipped with disc brakes—re-

move the wheel and tire from the hub.procarmanuals.com

03-02-18
Suspension

03-02-18

5.
Remove the cotter pin from the

upper ball joint stud nut.

6. Loosen the upper ball joint stud

nut one or two turns. Do not remove

the nut from the stud at this time.

7.
Install tool T57P-3006-A be-

tween the upper and lower ball joint

studs with the adapter screw on top

(Fig. 13). The tool should be seated

firmly against the ends of both studs

and not against the nuts or lower stud

cotter pin.

8. With a wrench, turn the adapter

screw until the tool places the stua

under tension. Tap the spindle near

the upper stud with a hammer to loos-

en the stud in the spindle. Do not

loosen the stud from the spindle with

tool pressure only.

9. Remove the tool from between

the ball joint studs and place a floor

jack under the lower arm.

10.
Raise the floor jack to relieve

the pressure from the upper ball joint

stud nut and remove the nut.

11.
Remove the upper arm inner

shaft attaching bolts. Remove the

upper arm and inner shaft as an as-

sembly (Fig. 1).

12.
Remove the bumpei from the

upper arm.

Installation

1.
Position the bumper to the upper

arm and install the nut and washer.

Torque the nut to specifications.

2.
Position the upper arm inner

shaft to the frame side rail and install

the 2 attaching bolts and washers

snug.

3.
Connect the upper ball joint stud

to the spindle and install the attaching

nut. Torque the nut to specification

and continue to tighten the nut until

the cotter pin hole in the stud is in

line with the nut slots. Then, install

the cotter pin.

4.
If equipped with drum type bra-

kes—Adjust the brakes as outlined in

Part 2-2. Install the wheel, tire, and

drum to the spindle and adjust the

wheel bearings as outlined in Part

3-12.

5.
If equipped with disc brak-

es—Install the wheel and tire on the

hub and adjust the wheel bearings as

outlined in Part 3-12.

6. Install the hub cap or wheel

cover.

7.
Remove the safety stands and

lower the front of the vehicle.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust as required (Section 2, Part

3-D.
COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle,

position safety stands under the

frame, and lower the vehicle slightly.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the shock absorber

lower attaching nuts and washers.

4.
Remove the shock absorber

upper mounting bracket attaching

nuts,
and remove the shock absorber

and bracket as an assembly (Fig. 26).

On all 8-cylinder vehicles, remove

the air cleaner to obtain access for

tool installation.

5.
Install the spring compressor

tool and compress the spring (Figs.

19,
20 and 21).

6. Position a safety stand under the

lower arm.

7.
Remove the cotter pin from the

nut on the upper ball joint stud, and

loosen the nut one or two turns. Do

not remove the nut from the stud at

this time.

8. Position the ball joint remover

tool between the upper and lower ball

joint studs as shown in Fig. 10. The

tool should seat firmly against the

ends of both studs and not against the

stud nuts.

9. Turn the tool with a wrench until

the tool places the studs under consid-

erable tension; then, hit the spindle

smartly near the upper stud with a

hammer to break the stud loose in the

spindle. Do not loosen the stud in the

spindle with tool pressure only. If

both arms are being removed, loosen

the lower stud in the same manner as

the upper stud.

10.
Remove the nut from the upper

stud and lift the stud out of the

spindle.

11.
Remove the upper arm inner

shaft attaching nuts from the engine

compartment, and remove the upper

arm.

12.
Wipe off all loose dirt from the

upper arm parts. Do not wash the ball

joint with a solvent.

Installation

1.
Position the upper arm on the

underbody mounting bracket, and in-

stall the nuts and lock washers on the

two inner shaft attaching bolts. The

specified keystone-type lock washers

must be used. Torque the nuts to

soecification.
2.
Position the upper ball joint stud

in the top of the wheel spindle, and in-

stall the stud nut. Torque the nut to

specification, and continue to tighten

it until the cotter pin hole and slots

line up. Install a new cotter pin.

3.
Release the coil spring, remove

the tool, and install the front shock

absorber and the wheel and tire.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Place a jack under the outer end

of the suspension lower arm and raise

the arm. Refer to Fig. 22.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the cotter pin from the

upper ball joint stud. Loosen the nut

one or two turns.

4.
Place a box wrench over the

lower end of the ball joint remover

tool, and position the tool as in Fig.

13.
The tool should seat firmly against

the ends of both studs, and not

against the upper stud nut.

5.
Turn the wrench until both studs

are under tension, and then, tap the

spindle with a hammer near the upper

stud to loosen it from the spindle. Do

not loosen the stud with tool pressure

alone. Remove the nut.

UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET

LOWER RETAINING BOLTS F 1490-A

FIG. 26—Removing or Installing

Front Shock Absorber—Typicalprocarmanuals.com

03-02-19

Suspension

03-02-19

6. Raise the upper arm to free the

ball joint stud from the spindle. Wire

the upper end of the spindle to the un-

derbody to prevent damage to the

brake hose.

7.
Mark the position of the upper

arm shaft on the underbody member

to facilitate making caster and camber

adjustments after installation of the

upper arm.

8. Remove the suspension upper

arm-to-underbody attaching bolts,

lock washers, and attaching nuts.

Then, remove the upper arm.

Installation

1.
Position the upper arm shaft on

the underbody member. Line up the

shaft with the marks made before re-

moval of the arm.

2.
Install the attaching bolts and

lock washers. FABRICATE A

TOOL, AS SHOWN IN Fig. 27, to

hold the nut in place while starting the

attaching bolt into the nut. Remove

the tool; then, tighten the attaching

bolts to specification.

3.
Guide the ball joint stud into the

spindle. Install the attaching nut and

torque it to specification. Continue

tightening the nut to line up the cotter

pin hole. Install a new cotter pin.

4.
Install the wheel and tire, and

torque the wheel lug nuts to specifica-

tion.

5.
With the front end weight of the

car on the wheels, torque the bolts at

the ends of the upper arm shaft to

specification if the bushings were re-

placed.

6. Check the front wheel alignment.

FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle until the front

wheel clears the floor, and place a

support under the frame.

2.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover.

3.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—remove the wheel and tire

and brake drum as an assembly (Part

3-12). Remove the brake backing

plate attaching bolts and remove the

backing plate from the spindle. Wire

the backing plate to the underbody to

prevent damage to the brake hose.
1/16" GAUGE
-*.

STEEL (REFERENCE)

—3/16'
3/8'

1/2" DIAMETER PLUG WELD

F 1501-A

FIG. 27 -Upper Arm Shaft Installing Tool

4.
If equipped with disc brakes—re-

move the wheel and tire from the hub.

Remove 2 bolts and washers retaining

the caliper and brake hose to the

spindle. Remove the caliper from the

rotor and wire it to the underbody to

prevent damage to the brake hose.

Then, remove the hub and rotor from

the spindle (Part 3-12). Remove 3

bolts attaching the splash shield to the

spindle and remove the splash shield.

5.
Remove the steering connecting

rod from the spindle arm with tool

OTC462.

6. Remove the cotter pins from

both ball joint stud nuts, and loosen

the nuts one or two turns. Do not re-

move the nuts from the studs at this

time.

7.
Install the ball joint remover tool

between the upper and lower ball joint

studs (Fig. 7). The tool sho.uld seat

firmly against the ends of both studs

and not against the stud nuts.

8. Turn the tool nut with a wrench

until the tool places the studs under

tension, and, with a hammer, tap the

spindle near the stud to loosen them

in the spindle. Do not loosen the studs

in the spindle with tool pressure only.

9. Position a floor jack under the

lower control arm.

10.
Remove the ball joint stud nuts

and lower the lower arm enough to re-

move the spring and the spindle.
Installation

1.
Position the spindle to the lower

ball joint stud and install the attaching

nut. Torque the nut to specification.

Continue to tighten the nut until the

cotter pin hole is in line with the slots

in the nut. Then, install the cotter pin.

2.
Position the spring and raise the

lower arm and guide and upper ball

joint stud into the spindle hole and in-

stall the attaching nut. Torque the nut

to specification and install the cotter

pin as outlined in the preceeding step.

3.
Remove the floor jack from

under the lower arm.

4.
Attach the steering connecting

rod to the spindle and install the nut.

Torque the nut to specification. Con-

tinue to tighten the nut until the cotter

pin hole is in line with the slots in the

nut. Then, install the cotter pin.

5.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—Position the brake backing

plate to the spindle and install the at-

taching bolts. Torque the bolts to spe-

cification. Adjust the brakes as out-

lined in Part 2-2. Install the wheel,

tire,
and drum to the spindle and ad-

just the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12).

6. If equipped with disc brak-

es—Install the splash shield on the

spindle and torque the attaching bolts

to specification (Part 3-13). Install theprocarmanuals.com

03-02-20
Suspension

03-02-20

hub and rotor on the spindle. Position

the caliper over the rotor and install

the attaching bolts. Torque the bolts

to specification (Part 3-13). Install the

wheel and tire on the hub and adjust

the wheel bearings as outlined in Part

3-12 .

7.
Install the hub cap or wheel

cover. Then, remove the support stand

and lower the vehicle.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

(Part 3-1) and adjust as necessary.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Drum Brakes

Removal

1.
Position a support between the

upper arm and frame as shown in

Figs.
8 and 9; then, raise the vehicle

and position safety stands.

2.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover.

3.
Remove the grease cap from the

hub;
then, remove the adjusting nut,

washer, and outer bearing cone and

roller assembly.

4.
Pull the wheel, hub, and drum

assembly off the wheel spindle.

5.
Remove the brake backing plate

from the spindle. Support the plate to

prevent damage to the brake hose.

6. Disconnect the spindle connect-

ing rod end from the spindle arm

using Tool 3290-C.

7.
Remove the cotter pins from

both ball joint stud nuts, and loosen

the nuts one or two turns. Do not re-

move the nuts from the studs at this

time.

8. Position the ball joint remover

tool between the upper and lower ball

joint studs (Fig. 10). The tool should

seat firmly against the ends of both

studs and not against the stud nuts.

9. Turn the tool with a wrench until

the tool places the studs under consid-

erable tension, and, with a hammer,

hit the spindle smartly near the studs

to break them loose in the spindle. Do

not loosen the studs in the spindle

with tool pressure alone.

10.
Remove the stud nuts and re-

move the spindle from both studs.

Installation

1.
Position the spindle on the lower

ball joint stud and install the stud nut

(Fig. 25).
2.
Raise the lower suspension arm

and guide the upper ball joint stud

into the spindle. Install the stud nut.

3.
Torque the upper stud nut and

then the lower stud nut to specifica-

tion. Continue to tighten both nuts

until the cotter pin holes and slots line

up.
Install new cotter pins.

4.
Connect the spindle connecting

rod end to the spindle arm.

5.
Install the brake backing plate

on the spindle, and torque the bolts to

specification.

6. Install the wntel and drum and

adjust the wheel bearing (Part 3-12).

7.
Remove the safety stands, and

lower the vehicle.

8. Remove the support from be-

tween the upper arm and frame.

9. Check and, if necessary, adjust

caster, camber, and toe-in.

Disc Brakes

Removal

1.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover, and remove the wheel and tire

from the hub.

2.
Remove two bolts attaching the

caliper to the spindle. Remove the cal-

iper from the rotor and wire it to the

underbody to prevent damage to the

brake hose.

3.
Remove the grease cap from the

hub,
then, remove the adjusting nut,

washer, and outer bearing cone and

roller assembly.

4.
Pull the hub and rotor assembly

off the wheel spindle.

5.
Remove the three caliper shield

attaching bolts and remove the shield.

6. Disconnect the spindle connect-

ing rod end from the spindle arm

using Tool-3290-C.

7.
Remove the cotter pins from

both ball joint stud nuts, and loosen

the nuts one or two turns. Do not re-

move the nuts from the studs at this

time.

8. Position the ball joint remover

tool between the upper and lower ball

joint studs (Fig. 10). The tool should

seat firmly against the ends of both

studs and not against the stud nuts.

9. Turn the tool with a wrench until

the tool places the studs under consid-

erable tension, and, with a hammer,

hit the spindle smartly near the studs

to break them loose in the spindle. Do

not loosen the studs in the spindle

with tool pressure alone.

10.
Position a floor jack under the

lower suspension arm.
11.
Remove the upper and lower

ball joint stud nuts; lower the jack

and remove the spindle.

Installation

1.
Position the spindle on the lower

ball joint stud and install the stud nut

(Fig. 25). Torque the nut to specifica-

tion and install the cotter pin.

2.
Raise the lower suspension arm,

and guide the upper ball joint stud

into the spindle. Install the stud nut.

3.
Torque the nut to specifications

and install the cotter pin. Then, re-

move the floor jack.

4.
Connect the spindle connecting

rod end to the spindle arm and install

the attaching nut. Torque the nut to

specification and install the cotter pin.

5.
Position the caliper splash shield

to the spindle and install the attaching

bolts and nuts. Torque the nuts and

bolts to specification.

6. Install the hub and rotor on the

spindle.

7.
Position the caliper to the rotor

and spindle and install the attaching

bolts.
Torque the bolts to specification

and install the safety wire.

8. Install the wheel and tire on the

hub and adjust the wheel bearing

(Part 3-12).

9. Install the hub cap or wheel

cover.

10.
Before driving the vehicle,

pump the brake pedal several times to

obtain normal brake lining-to-rotor

clearance and restore normal brake

pedal travel.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle. Place a sup-

port under each side rail to the rear of

the lower arm in the lifting pad area.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire from

the hub.

3.
Remove 2 bolts and washers that

attach the caliper to the spindle. Re-

move the caliper from the rotor and

wire it to the underbody to prevent

damage to the brake hose.

4.
Remove the hub and rotor from

the spindle.

5.
Remove the splash shield and

gasket from the spindle.

6. Disconnect the spindle arm con-

necting rod from the spindle arm with

Tool 3290-C. See Fig. 23.

7.
Remove the cotter pins from

both ball joint stud nuts. Loosen the

nuts one to two turns.procarmanuals.com

03-02-21
Suspension

03-02-21

8. Place a box wrench over the

lower end of the ball joint remover

tool, and position the tool as in Fig.

13.
The tool should seat firmly against

the ends of both studs, and not

against the stud nuts.

9. Turn the wrench until both studs

are under tension, and then, tap the

spindle with a hammer near the studs

to loosen them from the spindle. Do

not loosen
the
studs with tool pressure

alone.

10.
Place a jack under the outer

end of the lower arm, and raise the

arm several inches. Remove both ball

stud nuts, and remove t^e spindle.

Installation

1.
Position the new spindle onto the

upper and lower ball joint studs, in-

stall the stud nuts and tighten the nuts

to specifications. Continue to tighten

both nuts until the cotter pin holes

line up with the slots, then install new

cotter pines.

2.
Connect the spindle connecting

rod to the spindle arm. Install the re-

taining nut and tighten the nut to

specification. Continue to tighten the

nut until the cotter pin hole lines up

with the slot, then install a new cotter

pin.

3.
Install the gasket and splash

shield on the spindle. Tighten the at-

taching bolts to specifications.

4.
Install the hub and rotor on the

spindle.

5.
Install the caliper to the spindle

and tighten the attaching bolts to spe-

cifications. Check for the correct flex-

ible hose routing (Part 2-2).

6. Install the wheel and tire and ad-

just the wheel bearings (Part 3-12).

7.
Lubricate the steering stop on

the lower arm and the mating flat on

the spindle with the specified lubri-

cant.

8. Remove the safety stands, lower

the car and check camber, caster and

toe-in.

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER

REPLACEMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Remove the nut, washer, and

bushing from the shock absorber

upper end.

2.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

install safety stands.
3.
Remove 2 bolts attaching the

shock absorber to the lower arm and

remove the shock absorber.

4.
Place a washer and bushing on

the shock absorber top stud and posi-

tion the shock absorber inside the

front spring. Install the 2 lower at-

taching bolts and torque them to spe-

cifications.

5.
Remove the safety stands and

lower the vehicle.

6. Place a bushing and washer on

the shock absorber top stud and in-

stall the attaching nut. Torque it to

specification.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1. Raise the hood and remove 3

shock absorber upper mounting

bracket-to-spring tower attaching

nuts.

2.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

place safety stands under the lower

arms.

3.
Remove 2 shock absorber lower

attaching nuts and washers.

4.
Lift the shock absorber and

upper bracket from the spring tower

(Fig. 26) and remove the bracket from

the shock absorber.

Installation

1. Install the upper mounting

bracket on the shock absorber and

torque to specification.

2.
Position the shock absorber and

upper mounting bracket in the spring

tower, making sure the shock absor-

ber lower studs are in the pivot plate

holes.

3.
Install the 2 washers and attach-

ing nuts on the shock absorber lower

studs and torque to specification.

4.
Install the 3 shock absorber

upper mounting bracket-to-spring

tower attaching nuts and torque to

specification. Then, remove the safety

stands and lower the vehicle.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Remove the stud nut at the

upper eye of the shock absorber. Re-

move the upper eye stud bracket to

crossmember attaching bolt and re-

move the stud bracket. Refer to Fig.

22.
2.
Remove the bolts which attach

the shock absorber to the suspension

lower arm. Lower, and remove the

shock absorber.

3.
Examine the shock absorber unit

and rubber bushings. Replace parts

that are defective, deteriorated, or

worn.

Installation

1. Fully extend the shock absorber

and position it inside the coil spring.

Connect the lower end of the shock

absorber to the suspension lower arm.

Torque the attaching nuts to specifica-

tion.

2.
Insert the upper bracket stud

through the bushing in the shock ab-

sorber upper eye. Install the stud

bracket to crossmember attaching

bolt. Do not tighten the bolt: at this

time.

3.
Install the upper eye bracket

stud nut. Torque the nut to specifica-

tion.

4.
Torque the stud bracket- to-

crossmember attaching bolt to specifi-

cation.
The
shock absorber upper
eye

stud
nut
must
be
tightened
to com-

press
the
rubber bushing before
the

stud bracket
is
bolted
to the

crossmember;
otherwise,
the
upper
at-

tachment could
be
loose
and
noisy.

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

REPLACEMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK 1(11

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2.
Remove the shock absorber at-

taching nut, washer and insulator

from the upper stud at the upper side

of the spring upper seat. Compress the

shock absorber to clear the hole in the

spring seat, and remove the inner in-

sulator and washer from the upper at-

taching stud.

3.
Remove the self-locking attach-

ing nut, and disconnect the shock ab-

sorber lower stud from the mounting

bracket on the rear axle housing (Fig.

4).

4.
Expel all air by performing step

3 On Vehicle Tests in Part 3-1.

5.
Place the inner washer and insu-

lator on the upper attaching stud, and

position the shock absorber so that

the upper attaching stud enters the

hole in the spring upper seat. While

holding the shock absorber in this po-

sition, install the outer insulator andprocarmanuals.com

03-02-22
Suspension

03-02-22

washer and the nut on the upper stud

from the upper side of the spring

upper seat. Torque the nut to specifi-

cations.

6. Extend the shock absorber and

locate the lower stud in the hole in

mounting bracket on the rear axle

housing. Install a new self-locking at-

taching nut and torque to specifica-

tion.

MUSTANG AND COUGAR

Removal

1.
Disconnect the shock absorber

from the spring clip plate (Fig. 30).

2.
Remove the shock absorber ac-

cess cover from the luggage compart-

ment (Fig. 28).-(On convertible mod-

els,
remove the rear seat and seat

back to reach the access cover.)

SHOCK ABSORBER ACCESS COVER
SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER ATTACHING NUT

LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT

FLOOR PANEL

F 1489-A

FIG. 28—Rear Shock Absorber

Access Cover

3.
Remove the shock absorber

upper attaching nut.

4.
Compress the shock absorber

and remove it from the vehicle. Re-

move the bushings and washers from

the shock absorber studs.

Installation

1.
Place the bushing and inner

washer on the shock absorber stud.

2.
Connect the upper stud to the

mounting, and install the bushing,
ACCESS COVER

F 1488-A

FIG. 29—Rear Shock Absorber

Upper Mounting

outer washer, and new nut on the

stud. Torque the nut to specification,

and install the cover.

3.
Connect the lower stud to the

spring clip plate, and install the bush-

ing, outer washer, and new nut on the

stud. Be sure that spring clip plate is

free of burrs. Tighten the nut to speci-

fication.

MONTEGO, FALCON, AND

FAIRLANE (EXCEPT

CONVERTIBLE)

Removal

1.
Open the luggage compartment

door, and remove the spare wheel and

tire.

On the Ranchero, remove the at-

taching screws, and lift the forward

half of the floor panel from the body;

then, remove the access cover from

the opening in the floor pan over the

shock absorber.

On station wagons, remove the ac-

cess cover from the opening in the

seat riser over the shock absorber.

2.
Fold back the floor mat and re-

move the shock absorber access cover

from the floor pan. Remove the nut,

outer washer, and rubber bushing that

attach the shock absorber to the upper

mounting in the floor pan (Fig. 29).

3.
Raise the vehicle and remove the

attaching nut, outer washer and bush-

ing from the shock absorber at the

spring clip plate (Fig. 30). Compress

the shock absorber and remove it

from the vehicle.

4.
If the shock absorber is service-

able and requires new bushings, remove

the inner bushings and washers from

the shock absorber studs.

Installation

1.
Place the inner washer and bush-

ing on each shock absorber stud.
2.
Expand the shock absorber and

position it to the spring clip plate and

to the mounting in the floor pan.

3.
Connect the lower stud to the

spring clip plate, and install the bush-

ing, outer washer, and new nut on the

stud (Fig. 30). Be sure the spring clip

plate is free of burrs.

On the Ranchero, after tightening

the nut to specification, install the for-

ward half of the floor panel.

4.
From the luggage compartment,

install the bushing outer washer and

new attaching nut to the upper mount-

ing stud (Fig. 29). Torque to specifica-

tion. On a station wagon, replace the

floor bed panel (14 screws).

5.
Place the spare wheel and tire in

the luggage compartment, and secure

it in the storage position.

MONTEGO AND FAIRLANE

CONVERTIBLE

Removal

1.
Remove the rear seat cushion

and seat back.

2.
Partially raise the vehicle on a

hoist. With an assistant under the ve-

hicle holding the shock absorber, re-

move the nut from the top of the

shock absorber.

3.
Remove the lower shock absor-

ber attaching nut and remove the

shock absorber.

Installation

1.
Position the washers and bush-

ings on the shock absorber and posi-

tion the shock absorber to the lower

attachment. Install the bushing, outer

washer, and new attaching nut and

torque the nut to specification (Part

3-13).

2.
Lower the vehicle and install the

bushing, outer washer, and new at-

taching nut on the top of the shock

absorber. Torque the nut to specifica-

tion.

3.
Install the rear seat back and

seat cushion.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Lift the vehicle and place support

stands under the axle housing. Posi-

tion the vehicle with a hoist to relieve

tension on the shock absorbers.

2.
Remove the screws that attach

the shock absorber mounting plate to

the crossmember (Fig. 31).procarmanuals.com

03-02-23
Suspension

03-02-23

SEDAN MODELS ONLY-

SPRING CLIPS
5705
,^-::^^^^SSSS^

^CS^.-''' .--'""-.'.'""'"* D D
A
f~
V
C
T

BRACKET

(STATION WAGON-

AND RANCHERO

ONLY) 5610

INSULATOR RETAINER

5736

INBOARD

SHACKLE

BUSHING

5791

... ».IA-

vae.

FRONT HANGER

INBOARD BUSHING

FRONT HANGER

OUTBOARD BUSHING
REAR

SHACKLE

ASSEMBLY

5776

OUTBOARD SHACKLE

BUSHING

5791

LOWER INSULATOR 5732

INSULATOR PLATES

(H.D.
STATION WAGON

AND RANCHERO) 5A584

SPRING CLIP PLATE

(STATION WAGON

AND RANCHERO

ONLY) 5798-99

SPRING HANGER

MOUNTING BOLT

HANGER

FIG. 30—Rear Spring and Shock Absorber—Typical

3.
Remove the attaching nut and

washers from the lower end of the

shock absorber.

4.
Remove the shock absorber.

5.
Remove the nut, outer washer,

and insulator that attach the shock

absorber to the mounting plate; then

remove the plate.

6. Inspect the shock absorber for

damage or leaks. If the bushing must

be replaced, the operation may be per-

formed without the use of special

tools.
Wet the rubber bushing with a

soap solution and press it into the

shock absorber eye by hand. Repla-

cethe insulators if they appear worn or

damaged.

Installation

1.
Place the inner washer and insu-

lator on the upper (stud) end of the

shock absorber (Fig. 31).
2.
Install the mounting plate, outer

insulator, washer and nut on the stud.

Torque the nut to specification.

3.
Attach the mounting plate and

shock absorber to the crossmember

with the attaching screws and washers.

Torque the screws to specifications.

4.
Connect the lower end of the

shock absorber to the mounting stud

with the washers and attaching nut.

Torque the nut to specification.

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

LOWER MOUNTING STUD

REPLACEMENT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

If the shock absorber mounting stud

is damaged, replace the stud as fol-

lows:
F 1487-A

1.
Cut off the old stud as close to

the bracket as possible.

2.
Grind off the weld at both ends

of the stud and bracket face.

3.
Drive out the balance of the stud

with a brass drift. Do not enlarge the

hole in the bracket.

4.
Remove any weld remaining on

the sides of the bracket.

5.
Attach the service stud to the

axle housing bracket with a nut. Tor-

que the nut to specification.

6. Stake the nut to prevent loos-

ening.

REAR SPRING

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist with

the hoist under the rear axle housing.procarmanuals.com

03-02-24

Suspension

03-02-24

LOCK NUT

INSULATOR

NG

NUT

MOUNTING STUD

WASHER

LOCK WASHER

FIG. 31—Rear Shock Absorber Mounting
F1486-A

TRACK BAR

MOUNTING

STUD AXLE

VENT
SHOCK

ABSORBER

MOUNTING

BRACKET
SHOCK

ABSORBER

MOUNTING

BRACKET

V-V.

FIG. 32—Removing or Installing Rear Spring—Typical
COIL SPRING

F1438-A

Place jack stands under the frame side

rails.

2.
Disconnect the lower studs of the

two rear shock absorbers from the

mounting brackets on axle housing.
3.
Lower the hoist and axle housing

until the coil springs are released (Fig.

32).

4.
Remove the springs and the insu-

lators from the vehicle.
Installation

1.
Position the spring in the upper

and lower seats with an insulator be-

tween each seat and the spring.

2.
Raise the hoist and axle housing

with the spring in position and con-

nect the lower studs of the rear shock

absorbers to the mounting brackets on

the axle housing. Install the attaching

nuts,
and torque to specifications.

3.
Remove the jack stands and

lower the vehicle.

REAR SUSPENSION

LOWER ARM

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

place jack stands under the frame side

rails.

2.
Remove the attaching nut and

bolt from the frame track bar mount-

ing bracket and disconnect the bar

from the stud (Fig. 4).

3.
Lower the axle enough to relieve

spring pressure.

4.
Support axle under differential

pinion nose as well as under axle.

5.
Remove the lower arm pivot bolt

and nut from the axle bracket. Then,

disengage the lower arm from the

bracket.

6. Remove the pivot bolt and nut

from the frame bracket and remove

the lower arm from the vehicle.

Installation

The rear suspension lower arms are

not interchangeable. The lower arm

for the left side can be identified by

notches in the bushing flange (Fig. 4).

The right arm does not have the

notches.

1.
Position the lower arm in the

bracket on the frame side rail. Install

a new pivot bolt and new nut (Fig.

33).
Do not tighten the nut at this

time.

2.
Position the lower arm to the

axle bracket and install a new bolt

and new nut (Fig. 33). Do not tighten

the nut at this time.

3.
Raise the axle.

4.
Install alignment spacers be-

tween the rear axle and frame (Fig. 3,

Part 3-1). Then, torque the lower armprocarmanuals.com