Spring Install help
02-19-2007, 12:57 AM
#5
RE: Spring Install help
I know there are right ups, but here's a low down.
Tools:
Assorted ratchets (1/2" drive best)
Asst combination/box wrenches. 15mm-24mm
Floorjack
Jackstands
Camera
There are two ways to do this. This is my way
Front first:
Take pics
Jack car up, place on stands (MAKE SURE ITS NOT ON ANY SUSPENSION COMPONANTS)
Remove wheels (put the lugs back on the studs..)
using the jack, preload the suspension a little bit. Place the jack at the base of the spring on the a-arm
remove brake caliper, and use a bent wire coat hanger to hang it out of the way (be sure not to kink the brake lines)
Loosen the tension nut on the tierod from the steering rack to the tie rod end
Mark the posistion of the tie rod in relation to how it is now
unbend the cotter pin and remove from the special nut on the tierod.
remove the crown nut
using a small sledge, hit the metal part where the tierod end inserts into the wheel assy. be careful not to damage the tierod or the tierod dustboot. a few good whacks and the vibration will force it out, do not hit the tierod end directly with a hammer!
remove the strut bolts on the A-Arm. (alternativly you can remove the strut from the tower... I think its more of a pain b/c youve got the car in the air)
This is where a friend comes in handy, though you can use a 2x4 or something else,
support the rotor assy. (to not over stress the ball joint)
SLOWLY lower the jack until the a-arm is fully extended, the spring should come right out. if not, the spring is allready decompressed, so you can pry it out.
Installation:
swap isolators (if desired)
line up the springs into the a-arm perch (it only fits oneway properly)
use the jack and raise the a-arm until you can reattach the strut
once the strut is attached, reattach the tierod. use a new cotter pin on the crown nut. MAKE sure you retighten the tension bolt on the tierod (from the steering rack to the tie rod end).
(Note: also make sure the wheels were straight, and you locked the steeringwheel before doing this)
reattach calipers
replace wheels
repeat for other side
jack up vehicle, remove jackstands, and move to the rear...
Rear:
jack up car, place on jackstands
placing the jack on the diff, slightly preload suspension
remove wheels
detach quad shocks and rear shocks
slowly lower the jack until the LCA's are fully extended.
kick the springs out....(or pry em out, etc)
swap the isolators
place new springs in, top first
MAKE SURE THE NEW SPRINGS PIGTAIL IS DOWN AND FACING THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR BOTH SPRINGS
once both springs are on, slowly jack the suspension up until you can reattached shocks/quads.
reattach shocks/quads
replace wheels
jack, remove stands and drop the car.
take pics
post pics on mustangforums :P
Tools:
Assorted ratchets (1/2" drive best)
Asst combination/box wrenches. 15mm-24mm
Floorjack
Jackstands
Camera
There are two ways to do this. This is my way
Front first:
Take pics
Jack car up, place on stands (MAKE SURE ITS NOT ON ANY SUSPENSION COMPONANTS)
Remove wheels (put the lugs back on the studs..)
using the jack, preload the suspension a little bit. Place the jack at the base of the spring on the a-arm
remove brake caliper, and use a bent wire coat hanger to hang it out of the way (be sure not to kink the brake lines)
Loosen the tension nut on the tierod from the steering rack to the tie rod end
Mark the posistion of the tie rod in relation to how it is now
unbend the cotter pin and remove from the special nut on the tierod.
remove the crown nut
using a small sledge, hit the metal part where the tierod end inserts into the wheel assy. be careful not to damage the tierod or the tierod dustboot. a few good whacks and the vibration will force it out, do not hit the tierod end directly with a hammer!
remove the strut bolts on the A-Arm. (alternativly you can remove the strut from the tower... I think its more of a pain b/c youve got the car in the air)
This is where a friend comes in handy, though you can use a 2x4 or something else,
support the rotor assy. (to not over stress the ball joint)
SLOWLY lower the jack until the a-arm is fully extended, the spring should come right out. if not, the spring is allready decompressed, so you can pry it out.
Installation:
swap isolators (if desired)
line up the springs into the a-arm perch (it only fits oneway properly)
use the jack and raise the a-arm until you can reattach the strut
once the strut is attached, reattach the tierod. use a new cotter pin on the crown nut. MAKE sure you retighten the tension bolt on the tierod (from the steering rack to the tie rod end).
(Note: also make sure the wheels were straight, and you locked the steeringwheel before doing this)
reattach calipers
replace wheels
repeat for other side
jack up vehicle, remove jackstands, and move to the rear...
Rear:
jack up car, place on jackstands
placing the jack on the diff, slightly preload suspension
remove wheels
detach quad shocks and rear shocks
slowly lower the jack until the LCA's are fully extended.
kick the springs out....(or pry em out, etc)
swap the isolators
place new springs in, top first
MAKE SURE THE NEW SPRINGS PIGTAIL IS DOWN AND FACING THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR BOTH SPRINGS
once both springs are on, slowly jack the suspension up until you can reattached shocks/quads.
reattach shocks/quads
replace wheels
jack, remove stands and drop the car.
take pics
post pics on mustangforums :P
02-19-2007, 01:06 AM
#6
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Navarre, FL
Posts: 3,689
RE: Spring Install help
There's a write up in the stickey up top...
and mustangworlds, http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/steedaspring1.htm, is pretty good.
and mustangworlds, http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/steedaspring1.htm, is pretty good.
