wheels FORD MUSTANG 1969 Volume One Chassis

03-02-11
Suspension

03-02-11

nuts to specification. Make sure that

the joint is completely filled with the

specified lubricant.

9. Guide the ball joint stud into the

spindle. Install the stud nut and tor-

que it to specification. Continue to

tighten the nut to line up the cotter

pin hole. Install the cotter pin.

10.
Install the wheel and tire. Tor-

que the wheel nuts to specification.

STABILIZER REPAIR

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

To replace the end bushings on each

stabilizer link, use the following pro-

cedure.

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2.
Remove the nut, washer and in-

sulator from the lower end of the sta-

bilizer bar attaching bolt.

3.
Remove the bolt and the remain-

ing washers(3) insulators (3) and the

spacer.

4.
Assemble a flat washer and a

new insulator on the bolt.

5.
Insert the bolt through the stabi-

lizer bar then install a new insulator

and a flat washer on it.

6. Install the spacer, flat washer

and another new insulator on the bolt

(Fig. 1).

7.
Insert the bolt through the lower

arm and install a new insulator and a

flat washer. Install and torque the at-

taching nut to specification.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Raise the vehicle high enough to

provide working space, and place sup-

ports under both front wheels.

2.
Disconnect the stabilizer from

each link. Disconnect both stabilizer

attaching brackets, and remove the

stabilizer.

3.
Coat the necessary parts of the

stabilizer with RUGLYDE or a com-

parable lubricant, and slide new insu-

lators onto the stabilizer.

4.
Secure each end of the stabilizer

bar to the lower arm making sure that

the bolt head is at the top (Fig. 2) to

eliminate interference with the brake

hose.

5.
Remove the supports and lower

the vehicle.
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER

ARM STRUT AND/OR

BUSHING

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Remove the cotter pin from the

lower arm strut at the frame front

crossmember and remove the nut,

washer, and bushing from the strut.

2.
Remove nuts, washers, and bolts

attaching the strut and rubber bumper

to the lower arm (Fig. 1).

3.
Pull the strut from the frame

crossmember.

4.
Remove the crossmember rear

side bushing and washer from the

strut.

5.
Place the crossmember rear side

washer and bushing on the strut and

position the strut to the frame and

lower arm.

6. Position the rubber bumper on

the strut and install the bolts, washer,

and nuts attaching the strut to the

lower arm. Torque the nuts and bolts

to specification.

7.
Install the bushing, washer, and

nut on the strut at the front cross-

member. Tighten the nut and install

the cotter pin.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust if necessary.

LOWER ARM STRUT AND/OR

BUSHING REPLACEMENT

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Position the support as shown in

Figs.
8 and 9 under the upper arm.
2.
Raise the vehicle, position safety

stands, and remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the cotter pin, castelated

nut and the adjustment nut from the

front of the strut.

4.
With two pry bars approximately

18 inches long, one at each side and at

the rear of the front washer, pry it

forward to separate the inner sleeve

from the outer sleeve. Remove the

front insulator from the strut (Fig.

26).

5.
Install the new rear washer

(large ID), outer sleeve and insulator

bushing on the forward end of the

strut rod.

6. Position the strut into the

crossmember and to the lower suspen-

sion arm. Install the strut-to-arm at-

taching bolts and nuts, and torque

them to specification.

7.
Install the forward insulator

washer (small ID), inner sleeve and

adjustment nut on the forward end of

the strut. The inner sleeve need not be

crimped to the outer sleeve.

8. Install the wheel and tire, re-

move the safety stands and lower the

vehicle. Remove the tool supporting

the upper arm.

9. Adjust the caster and camber to

specification.

10.
Install the castellated nut and

cotter pin.

DRIVE SHAFT PINION

ANGLE ADJUSTMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

The pinion-drive shaft working

angle must be checked and adjusted to

ADJUSTING

SCREW

F1432- A
F1503-A

FIG. 14—Alignment Spacer

Installation
FIG. 75—Positioning Tool On

U-Jointprocarmanuals.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

03-02-19

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

03-02-28
Suspension

03-02-28

used, these components should
be re-

placed
on the
bench.

Do not wash the ball joint with sol-

vent.
The
solvent
may
attack parts

within the joint.

BUSHING AND INNER

SHAFT REPLACEMENT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Always replace both upper
arm

bushings,
if
either bushing
is
worn
or

damaged. Install only
new
bushings

when replacing
the
inner shaft. Refer

to Section
3 for
the upper arm remov-

al procedure.

1.
Remove
the
bolts, lock washers,

and flat washers from the ends
of
the

upper arm shaft.

2.
Assemble
the
remover, tool

3044-LA,
to the
shaft
at the
front

bushing. Press
the
bushing
out of the

arm using
the
support cup, tool 6069-

H,
and the
remover tool 3044-AB3

(Fig. 40).

PRESS RAM

FIG.
40
—Removing Upper
Arm

Front Bushing

3.
Remove
the
shaft.

4.
Remove
the
upper
arm
rear

bushing using
the
support
cup,
tool

3069-H, and
the
remover, tool 3069-L

(Fig. 41).

5.
Both upper
arm
bushings
are

pressed into the arm from the outside

toward the inside
of
the arm. To facil-

itate installation, use silicone
or
liquid

oap
as a
lubricant.
See
Fig.
41 for
PRESS RAM

Tool-3069-H

F 1480-A

FIG. 41—Removing Upper
Arm

Rear Bushing

proper assembly
of the
shaft
and

bushings.

6. Press the upper arm rear bushing

into
the arm
using
the
support cup,

tool 3069-H,
and the
replacer, tool

3068 (Fig. 43). Press
the
bushing
in

until
the
shoulder stop
is
reached.

7.
Insert
the end of the
shaft into

the rear bushing. Press the front bush-

ing onto
the
shaft
and
into
the arm

using the replacer, tool 3068 (Fig. 44).

REAR BUSHING
FRONT BUSHING

F 1479-A

FIG. 42— Upper Arm, Shaft,
and

Bushing Assembly

PRESS RAM

Tool— 3068

JF 1478-A
Bottom the bushing flange against the

flange
in the
arm.

8. Install
the
flat washers, lock-

washers,
and
bolts
at
the ends
of
the

upper
arm
shaft.
Do not
tighten
the

bolts
at
this time. These must
be

tightened after
the
arm assembly
has

been installed, and when the front end

weight
of
the vehicle
is
on the wheels.

These bolts
are
made
of a
special

material. Use only the specified bolt
if

replacement
is
necessary.

PRESS
RAM

FIG. 43—Installing Upper
Arm

Rear Bushing
FIG. 44—Installing Upper
Arm

Front Bushing

REAR SPRING OVERHAUL-

SPRING REMOVED

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Front Hanger Assembly

If
the
front hanger
or
bushings
are

to
be
replaced, proceed
as
follows:

1.
Remove
the
nuts and lock wash-

ers from
the
spring front mounting

bolt (Fig.
6).

2.
Tap the
spring mounting stud

out
of the
bushing
and
hanger, then

separate
the
hanger from
the
spring.

3.
Remove
the
front bushing from

the spring with tool T64N-5781-A.

4.
Install
the
bushing
in the
spring

with tool T64N-5781-A.

5.
Assemble the front hanger
to
the

spring
eye and
install
the
spring

mounting stud through
the
hanger,

bushings,
and
spring eye
as
shown
in

Fig.
6.

6. Install the lock washers and nuts

on
the
mounting stud
and
tighten
the

outboard
nut to
specification. Tighten

the inboard
nut to
specification with

the vehicle
at
curb riding height.procarmanuals.com

03-04-02
Automatic Air Leveling System — Lincoln Continental

03-04-02

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

COMPRESSOR

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the front of the vehicle and

place jack stands under frame side

rails.

2.
Turn the front wheels all the way

to the right. Working from the und-

erside of the left front fender, remove
the three shield attaching screws (Fig.

2).

3.
Disconnect the one vacuum line,

clean air intake line and the two pres-

sure lines from the compressor.

4.
Remove the two compressor

mounting bracket attaching bolts. Re-

move the bracket and compressor as

an assembly.

5.
Remove the three compressor to

bracket attaching nuts. Separate the

compressor from the bracket.
INSTALLATION

1.
Assemble the compressor and in-

sulators to the mounting bracket. In-

stall and torque the three nuts to spec-

ification.

2.
Position the compressor mount-

ing bracket and compressor and se-

cure with the two attaching nuts. Tor-

que the nuts to specification.

3.
Connect the vacuum line (coded

with a red stripe), clean air intake line

BRACKET
AND
COMPRESSOR
MUST
BE

ASSEMBLED
TOGETHER
PRIOR
TO

INSTALLATION
IN
VEHICLE
BOLT MUST
BE IN
PLACE

PRIOR
TO
INSTALLATION

OF
SUPPORT
INTO
VEHICLE

FIG. 2—Compressor Installation

CROSSMEMBER

EXHAUST
VALVE PORT

OVER
TRAVEL
LEVER

REAR AXLE
HOUSING

F1400-A

3—Height Control Valve
F1420-A

and the two pressure lines (Fig. 2) to

the compressor.

4.
Install the shield and three at-

taching screws.

5.
Remove the jack stands and

lower the vehicle.

HEIGHT CONTROL VALVE

REMOVAL

1.
Exhaust all air from system.

2.
Raise the rear of the vehicle and

support it with jack stands.

3.
Disconnect the link from the

height control valve arm.

4.
Disconnect the air inlet and the

outlet line from the valve.

5.
Remove the two control valve

mounting bracket attaching bolts (Fig.

3) and remove the valve.

INSTALLATION

1.
Position the height control valve

and install the two attaching bolts.

Torque the bolts to specification.

2.
Connect the air inlet and theprocarmanuals.com

03-05-02
Steering Columns
And
Linkage

03-05-02

which also will shear away during
im-

pact.

TILT STEERING COLUMNS

The steering column
is of the col-

lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility

of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle

should
he
become involved
in an
acci-

dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering

column tube
at the
bellows area will

collapse approximately
six
inches

upon
a
hard impact.

The shift tube
and the
steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels
and

will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse

in proportion
to the
outer tube upon

impact.

Once
the
steering column
has
been

collapsed,
a
complete
new
column
must
be
installed.

The tilt column features nine driv-

ing positions (four
up and
four down

from
a
center position).
The
.column

also features
a
turn signal switch with

a lane-changer position turn indicating

position
and
emergency warning flash-

er control.

TILT-AWAY STEERING COLUMNS

The tilt-away steering column
fea-

tures nine driving positions (four
up

and four down from
a
center position)

and
a
tilt-away position that
is
auto-

matically accomplished
on
Mustang

and Cougar models when
the
ignition

key
is
turned
to the
OFF
position
and

the left door
is
opened.
On
Thunder-

bird models,
the
tilt-away occurs when
the shift lever
is
placed
in
PARK
and

the driverns door
is
opened.

The steering column
is of the col-

lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility

of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle

should
he
become involved
in an
acci-

dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering

column tube
at the
bellows area will

collapse approximately
six
inches

upon
a
hard impact.

The shift tube
and the
steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels
and

will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse

in proportion
to the
outer tube upon

impact.

Once
the
steering column
has
been

collapsed,
a
complete
new
column

must
be
installed along with mounting

brackets which will also shear away

during impact.

IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS
AND
REPAIRS

STEERING WHEEL SPOKE

POSITION ADJUSTMENT

When
the
steering gear
is on the

high point,
the
front wheels should
be

in
the
straight-ahead position
and the

steering wheel spokes should
be in

their normal position with
the
Pitman

arm pointing directly forward.
If the

spokes
are not in
their normal posi-

tion, they
can be
adjusted without
dis-

turbing
the
toe-in adjustment (Part

3-1).

STEERING WHEEL

REPLACEMENT

1.
Disconnect
the
negative cable

from
the
battery.

2.
Working from
the
underside
of

the steering wheel spoke, remove
the

crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift
the

crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On
Conti-

nental Mark
III
models,
pry out the

crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the two

screws that secure
the
crash
pad. Re-

move
the
crash
pad. On
models

equipped with steering wheel mounted

speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for

removal instructions). Remove
the

horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning

it counterclockwise.

3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
nut,

and then remove
the
steering wheel

with tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig. 1). Do

not
use a
knock-off type steering

wheel puller
or
strike
the end of the

steering shaft with
a
hammer. Striking

the puller
or
shaft will damage
the

bearing
or the
collapsible column.

4.
Transfer
all
serviceable parts
to

the
new
steering wheel.

5.
Position
the
steering wheel
on

the shaft
so
that
the
alignment mark
on
the hub of the
wheel
is
adjacent
to

the
one on the
shaft. Install
a new

locknut
and
torque
it to
specifications.

6. Install
the
horn ring
(if so

equipped)
and
crash
pad.

STEERING COLUMN UPPER

BEARING REPLACEMENT

STATIONARY COLUMNS

Removal

1. Disconnect
the
horn wire
and the

turn indicator wires
at the
connector.

2.
Working from
the
underside
of

the steering wheel spoke, remove
the

two crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift

the crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On

Continental Mark
III
models,
pry out

the crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the

two screws that secure
the
crash
pad.

Remove
the
crash
pad. On
models

equipped with steering wheel mounted

speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for

7oo/-T67L-3600-A
removal instructions). Remove
the

horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning

it counterclockwise.

3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
at-

taching
nut.
Remove
the
steering

wheel using tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig.

1).
Do not use a
knock-off type steer-

ing wheel puller
or
strike
the end of

the steering shaft with
a
hammer.

Striking
the
puller
or
shaft will
dam-

age
the
bearing
or the
collapsible
col-

umn.

4.
Remove
the
turn indicator lever.

5.
Remove
the
turn signal switch

attaching screws. Lift
the
switch over

the
end of the
steering shaft
and
place

it
to one
side.

6. Remove
the
snap ring from
the

top
of the
steering shaft.

7.
Loosen
the two
flange-to-steering

column tube attaching bolts
to
disen-

gage them from
the
tube.

8. Raise
the
flange upward while

BEARING
AND

INSULATOR

Spacer

G 1502 -B

FIG.
1—Removing
Steering Wheel
G 1497-A

FIG. 2—Installing Upper Bearingprocarmanuals.com

03-05-03
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-03

tapping the steering shaft lightly with

a plastic hammer to free the bearing

and flange from the shaft.

9. Remove the bearing and insula-

tor from the flange.

Installation

1.
Install flange bolts (square head)

in flange if they were removed. Turn

the nuts onto the bolts one complete

turn only.

2.
Position the flange onto the

steering column tube.

3.
Engage the two flange bolt heads

with the square holes in the column

tube,
then tighten the two attaching

nuts to specification.

4.
Position the bearing and insula-

tor on the shaft. Work it down onto

the shaft as far as possible, then place

a piece of 3/4 ID x 2 1/8 inch pipe

over the end of the shaft and install

the steering wheel attaching nut (Fig.

2).

5.
Tighten the nut until the bearing

is seated in the flange, then remove

the nut and pipe from the shaft.

6. Position the turn signal switch

on the flange and install the three at-

taching screws.

7.
Make certain that the wheels are

in the straight ahead position. Place

the steering wheel on the steering

shaft with the spokes in the horizontal
position. Install and torque the attach-

ing nut to specification.

8. Secure the crash pad to the

steering wheel with the two attaching

screws.

9. Connect the horn and turn signal

wires.

10.
Install the turn signal lever.

TILT WHEEL COLUMNS

Removal

1.
Disconnect the negative cable

from the battery.

2.
Remove the steering wheel with

tool T67L-3600-A (Fig. 1). Install the

spring, shipping spacer (3/4 x 1 1/8-

inch pipe) and a steering wheel attach-

ing nut on the shaft. Do not use a

knock-off type steering wheel puller or

strike the end of the steering shaft

with a hammer. Striking the puller or

shaft will damage the bearing or the

collapsible column.

3.
Remove the turn indicator lever

(Fig. 3).

4.
Remove the three screws that at-

tach the upper cover to the column

and remove the cover. It may be nec-

essary to rotate the cover approxi-

mately
1/4—1/2
inch to engage the

cover lip in the slot of turn signal

switch to permit clearance.
5.
Loosen the screw on the bottom

side and slide the lower cover down-

ward on the column (on Ford and

Mercury models, remove the shroud.)

6. Remove the screw that secures

the turn signal wire retaining clip to

the column and remove the clip.

7.
Remove the two screws that at-

tach the turn signal switch to the

steering column. Move the switch

wires upward enough to permit lifting

the switch over the end of the steering

shaft and lay the switch to one side.

Be careful not to lose the turn signal

lever pivot from the switch.

8. Compress the steering column

locking clamp with vise grip pliers

(Fig. 4) and move the steering shaft to

the full up position.

9. Hold the column position spring

rod with vise grip pliers to prevent flo-

tation then compress the spring and

remove the retainer. Remove the plas-

tic cover and spring.

10.
Install tool T67P-3D739-B as

shown in Fig. 4. Thread the bolt in-

ward finger tight until it bottoms, then

back it out one full turn. Make sure

that the handle is centered over the

pivot pin to prevent bolt breakage.

Hold the 3/8 inch bolt head station-

ary, then tighten the nut to extract the

pin. Repeat this operation on the op-

posite pin.

11.
Remove the nut, shipping spa-

UPPER

COVER

J

G 1498-B

FIG. 3—Typical Steering Column—Disassembledprocarmanuals.com

03-05-09

Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-09

FAIRLANE, FALCON

AND MONTEGO

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

siwtch (with automatic transmission)

and back-up light switch wires from

the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear (Fig.

12).
6. Remove the nuts and bolts that

secure the column retainer and seal at

the toe plate.

7.
Disconnect the nuts that secure

the column upper and lower brackets

to the brake pedal support bracket

and the dash panel.

8. Lift the column from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Make sure that the wheels

are in the straight ahead position and

that the steering wheel spokes are in a

horizontal position when the flex cou-

pling engages the input shaft splines.

2.
Install but do not tighten the

nuts that secure the column upper and

lower brackets to the brake pedal sup-
port bracket and the dash panel.

Make certain the column is properly

positioned relative to the flex coupling

inpui shaft connection.

3.
Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling-to-steering gear attaching bolt.

4.
Tighten the nuts at the brake

pedal support bracket and the dash

panel.

5.
Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate.

6. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

7.
Connect the neutral start switch

(if so equipped) and back-up light

switch to their respective terminals.

8. Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

COLUMN UPPER \

BRACKET-3506 V

BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET

TRIMSHROUD-3530

UPPER CLAMP-3507,

COLUMN LOWER

BRACKET-3R547

•
FLEXCOUPLING-3A525
^INTERMEDIATE

BRACKET-3676

VIEW AA

G1616-A

FIG. 11—Steering Column Installation—Ford, Mercury, Meteorprocarmanuals.com

03-05-10
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-10

9. Connect the battery cable to the

negative post.

10.
Check the operation of the

switches.

COUGAR, MUSTANG

Removal

cable

1.
Disconnect the battery

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
On tilt-away columns, disconnect

the tilt-control cable from the vacuum

motor and mounting bracket.

4.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

5.
Remove the nuts and bolts that
secure the column retainer and seal at

the toe plate.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column lower bracket to the brake

pedal support (Fig. 13).

7.
Lift the column from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Make sure that the wheels

are in the straight ahead position and

that the steering wheel spokes are in a

horizontal position when the flex cou-

pling engages the input shaft splines.

2.
Install but do not tighten the

nuts that secure the column lower

bracket to the brake pedal support.

Make certain the column is properly
positioned relative to the flex coupling

input shaft connection.

3.
Tighten the two rearward nuts at

the brake pedal support bracket and

column lower bracket to the brake

pedal support.

4.
Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Tighten the

forward nuts securing the column to

the brake pedal support.

5.
Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling-to-steering gear attaching bolt.

6. On tilt-away columns, connect

the tilt-control cable to the vacuum

motor and mounting bracket. Adjust

the cable for proper operation.

7.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

8. Connect the battery cable to the

negative post.

STEERING WHEEL-3600

BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT

BRACKET-3B139

TOE PLATE

COLUMN LOWER

BRACKET-3R547

FLEXCOUPLING-3A525

G1617-A

FIG. 72—Steering Column Installation—Fairlane, Falcon, Montegoprocarmanuals.com

03-05-20
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-20

placed if it becomes worn or damaged

(Figs.
18 through 21). Do not attempt

to straighten the sleeve if damaged.

1.
Remove the spindle connecting

rod end assemblies as described in the

previous sub-section.

2.
Screw the spindle rod end assem-

blies into the new sleeve the same

number of turns as the ends that were

removed. Do not tighten the clamp

bolts at this time.

3.
Position the sleeve and end as-

sembly on the center link and the

spindle arm. Install the attaching nut,

torque it to specification, and install

the cotter pin.

4.
Check and, if necessary, adjust

toe-in (Part 3-1). After toe-in is

checked and adjusted, oil the sleeve

clamp bolts then torque them to speci-

fication. The sleeve clamp must be in-

stalled as shown in Figs. 18 through

21.

CENTER LINK

REPLACEMENT

The center link connecting the Pit-

man arm and the idler arm is non-

adjustable and is provided with ta-

pered holes to accommodate the ball

studs (Figs. 18 through 21). The link

should be replaced when damaged or

when worn at the ball studs. On Lin-

coln Continental models, the link

should be replaced if excessive loose-

ness is noticed in either ball stud sock-

et.

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

position safety stands.

2.
Remove the cotter pins and nuts

that attach both inner connecting rod

ends to the center link (Figs. 18

through 21).

3.
Disconnect the inner connecting

rod ends from the center link using

Tool 3290-C (Fig. 22).

4.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the idler arm to the center

link. Disconnect the idler arm from

the center link using Tool 3290-C for

Lincoln Continental models only.

5.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the Pitman arm to the cen-

ter link. Disconnect the Pitman arm

from the center link (use Tool 3290-C)

and remove the center link. On ve-

hicles equipped with the non-integral

power steering system, remove the

center link from the control valve as

detailed in Part 3-7.

INSTALLATION

1.
Replace the rubber seals on the
spindle connecting rod ends, if re-

quired.

2.
Position the center link to the

Pitman arm and idler arm and install

the attaching nuts loosely. On all ve-

hicles except Lincoln Continental

models, place the idler arm and the

front wheels in the straight ahead po-

sition to insure keeping the steering

wheel aligned and to prevent bushing

damage after the attaching nuts have

been torqued. On Lincoln Continental

models, insure that the seal is properly

installed on the center link. Torque

the nuts to the low end of the specifi-

cation. Continue to tighten each nut

until the slots in the nut align with the

hole in the stud. Then install a new

cotter pin.

3.
Position the spindle connecting

rod ends to the center link and install

the attaching nuts. Torque the nuts to

the low end of the specification. Con-

tinue to tighten each nut until the

slots in the nut align with the hole in

the stud. Then, install a new cotter

pin.

4.
Remove the safety stands, lower

the vehicle, check and adjust toe-in to

specification (Part 3-1).

STEERING IDLER ARM

AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY

REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

If the idler arm bushings are worn

the complete idler arm assembly must

be replaced. In Lincoln Continental

models, if the socket at the idler

bracket is excessively loose, replace

the complet assembly.

1.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the steering center link at

the idler arm (Figs. 18 through 21).

2.
Disconnect the center link from

the idler arm (on Lincoln Continental

models, use Tool 3290-C).

3.
Remove the two bolts that attach

the idler arm and bracket assembly to

the frame.

INSTALLATION

1.
Secure the new idler arm and

bracket assembly to the frame with

the two attaching bolts (nuts and flat

washers as shown in Figs. 18, 19 and

21).

2.
On all vehicles except Lincoln

Continental models, place the idler

arm and the front wheels in the

straight ahead position to insure keep-

ing the steering wheel aligned and to
prevent bushing damage after the at-

taching nut has been torqued. Insert

the center link stud through the hole

in the end of the idler arm and install

the nut and washer.

On Lincoln Continental models, in-

sert the center link stud through the

hole in the end of the idler arm insur-

ing that the seal is properly installed

on the center link.

3.
Torque the idler arm rod nut to

specification and install a new cotter

pin.

PITMAN ARM

REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

1.
Remove the cotter pin from the

castellated nut that attaches the steer-

ing center link to the Pitman arm.

Remove the castellated nut.

2.
Disconnect the steering center

link from the Pitman arm with tool

3290-C.

3.
Remove the Pitman arm attaching

nut and lock washer.

4.
Position the front wheels in the

straight ahead position. Remove the

Pitman arm with tool T64P-3590-F

(Fig. 23).

INSTALLATION

1.
With the front wheels in the

straight ahead position, place the Pit-

man arm on the sector shaft making

sure it is pointing forward.

2.
Install the nut and lock washer.

Torque the nut to specification.

G1663-A

FIG. 23— Removing Pitman

Arm—Typicalprocarmanuals.com