How To Lower your Mustang Shelby
The Mustang Shelby is a unique type of
Mustang muscle car designed by Ford. Combining a distinctive and sporty
appearance with a powerful engine and high performance values, the
Shelby is a great car for enthusiasts, collectors, and those who like to
drive fast cars. One of the best ways that you can make use of your
Mustang Shelby and to truly make it your own is to customize it in some
way. However, most custom projects are expensive and time consuming.
Lowering your Shelby with a new suspension springs kit is one way to
avoid the time commitment and the huge cost of a custom project that
will make your car distinctive. You can install a new kit on your own at
home.
Step 1 — Gather the Necessary Materials
You’ll need the following materials in order to lower your Mustang Shelby:
- Hydraulic jack and two tall jack stands
- Torque wrench
- Socket wrench
- Ratchet set
- Spare sockets
- New lowering kit for your Shelby
- Assistant to help throughout the process
Step 2 — Prepare the Vehicle
First, prepare the car by parking it on a flat, open space where
you’ll have plenty of room in which to work. Next, engage the emergency
break and put the vehicle in park if it’s an automatic transmission. You
can then raise up the front end of the Shelby with the hydraulic jack
system. Mount the front end up on the jacks so that you’ll have adequate
space in which to work underneath the car throughout the process.
Step 3 — Remove the Front Springs
Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Next, loosen the
lug nuts around the front two wheels so that you can access the springs
located behind the wheels. Use the breaker bar to cut the caliper bolt
that holds the suspension in place, then move the caliper out of the
way. At this point, you’ll need to be very careful not to discharge the
spring, as it will be compressed and may cause you great injury if it
opens up. Have your assistant hold the caliper out of the way and help
you to decompress the spring so that you can manually remove it. Turn
the steering wheel all the way to the left and repeat the process on the
passenger’s side of the car.
Step 4 — Replace the Front Springs
Next, you’ll need to replace the front springs. They are
interchangeable, so it doesn’t make a difference as to which spring goes
where. Have your assistant open up the A-Arm and assist you in guiding
the spring into place. Place the spring so that it fastens to the top
isolator and is secure, then close up the entire system. Repeat this on
the other side of the car, then lower the entire vehicle off of the jack
stands and tighten up the lug nuts once again.
Step 5 — Remove and Replace the Rear Springs
The rear springs are not as dangerous or as difficult to remove as
the front ones. Mount up the rear of the vehicle and repeat the same
process, and be sure to exercise caution as you remove them. Next,
replace the springs in the same way, but note that they are not
interchangeable, so you’ll have to put them in to the proper order.
Additionally, you will not need to maneuver the steering wheel as you
remove or replace the springs, as the back wheels are not connected to
the steering wheel in any way. Once both sets of springs are into place,
tighten up the lug nuts once again and remove the vehicle from the jack
stands. Survey the Shelby to make sure that it’s evenly off of the
ground before you attempt to drive it once again.
For more information about how to find the proper materials for this
project, or for advice on how to lower your Shelby in the safest and
most effective way, consult with a professional mechanic, auto body
specialist or Mustang professional in your area. They can help to give
you advice and guidelines particular to your car.