How To Lower your Classic Mustang
The Mustang classic is one of Ford’s
best known and strongest performing vehicles. Outfitted with an
impressive motor and a sleek, stylish body, this muscle car has been one
of the most popular high performance vehicles for many decades and is
synonymous with an excellent car. Many classic Mustang owners look for
ways to modify their vehicles so that they have a unique appearance and
design, even in comparison with other Mustangs and classic cars on the
road. One of the most affordable and easiest ways to do this is to
install a lowering kit by setting up new suspension springs in your
vehicle. This procedure is somewhat dangerous if not performed
correctly, but can also be a great way of modifying your car for cheap,
provided that you’re careful.
Step 1 — Gather the Necessary Materials
You’ll need the following materials in order to appropriately lower your classic Mustang:
- Torque wrench
- Hydraulic jack and two tall jack stands
- Assistant to help throughout the procedure
- New suspension system for your vehicle
- Socket wrench and various sockets
- Breaker bar
Step 2 — Prepare the Vehicle
Begin by parking your classic Mustang in a wide open area that is
flat. This will ensure that you have enough room to move around the car
and to work properly. Put the emergency break on if the vehicle is a
standard transmission, and set the car into park and put the emergency
break on if it’s an automatic vehicle. Raise up the front end of the
Mustang using the hydraulic jack, and place the two stands underneath
the outside portions of the chassis in order to give you adequate room
to access the underside of the car.
Step 3 — Remove the Front Springs
Next, you’ll need to remove the front springs. Loosen the lug nuts
with the torque wrench and socket wrench. This will allow you to access
the suspension system behind the wheels of the car. Cut the caliper bolt
with the breaker bar and move the caliper out of the way so that you
can access the spring. Have your assistant help you to hold the caliper
out of the way while you work carefully with the spring. Because the
spring is compressed, it is very dangerous and can cause a great deal of
injury to you and damage to the car if left unattended. Decompress the
spring carefully before you remove it. Do one side at a time and then
move to the other side of the vehicle. It will likely help if you turn
the steering wheel all the way to the left when you remove the
passenger’s side spring, and all the way to the right when you remove
the driver’s side spring.
Step 4 — Replace the Front Springs
Next, replace the front springs. Have your assistant hold open the
A-Arm on one side of the vehicle. Place the new spring into the secure
fitting of the A-Arm and attach it to the top isolator. When the entire
system is secure, close up that side of the suspension system and do the
same on the other side. After both are done, make sure that the lug
nuts are securely tightened again and lower the car off of the two jack
stands at the front.
Step 5 — Remove and Replace the Rear Springs
Next, remove and replace the springs at the rear of the car. You’ll
first need to mount up the back of the car so that you can access the
last couple of feet of the vehicle. Repeat the same procedure as you did
at the front of the Mustang, except be aware of the fact that the back
springs are not interchangeable, while the front ones are; this means
that you’ll need to be careful as to which springs you place where. Once
you’ve removed and replaced the springs, tighten up the lug nuts and
lower the vehicle down off of the jack stands.
If you have any additional questions about how to lower your classic
Mustang, speak with a Mustang professional or a custom body shop
specialist.