Section 04-01: Suspension and Wheel Hubs, Front
1994 Mustang Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Spring, Front

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED
Description Tool Number
Spring Compressor Tool (3.8L Mustang) T82P-5310-A

 

Removal

  1. Raise vehicle on a hoist, allowing the front suspension lower arms (3078) to hang free. Refer to Section 00-02.
  1. Remove the wheel (1007) and tire assembly.
  1. Remove the front disc brake caliper (2B120) , then wire it out of the way to obtain working room.
  1. Disconnect the front wheel spindle connecting rod or end (3A130) assembly from the front wheel spindle (3105) using Tie Rod End Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent.
  1. Disconnect front stabilizer bar link (5K483) from front suspension lower arm .
  1. Remove the steering gear bolts if necessary, and position the steering gear (3504) so that the front suspension lower arm bolt may be removed.
  1. On Mustang with 3.8L engine, use Spring Compressor Tool T82P-5310-A to place the upper plate in position into the spring pocket cavity on the crossmember (5025) . The hooks on the plate should be facing the center of the vehicle.







  1. On Mustang with 5.0L engine, use Spring Compressor Tool D78P-5310-A or equivalent, to install a plate between coils near the toe of the front coil spring (5310) . Mark location of upper plate on coils for installation. Use care not to nick spring coils when installing upper plate.



  1. Install the compression rod into the lower arm spring pocket hole, through the coil spring, into the upper plate.
  1. Install the lower plate, lower ball nut, thrust washer and bearing, and forcing nut onto the compression rod.



  1. Tighten the forcing nut on the compressor tool until a drag on the nut is felt.
  1. Remove the suspension arm-to-crossmember nuts and bolts. The compressor tool forcing nut may have to be tightened or loosened for easy bolt removal.
  1. Loosen the compression rod forcing nut until spring tension is relieved and remove the forcing nut.
  1. Remove the compression rod and front coil spring .








    Item Part Number Description
    1 N804591-S100 Bolt (4 Req'd)
    2 N800241-S Damper (2 Req'd)
    3 5310 Front Coil Spring (2 Req'd)
    4 5414 Insulator (2 Req'd)
    5 3078 Front Suspension Lower Arm
    6A N800237-S60 Nut (4 Req'd)
    A — Tighten to 167-185 Nm (129.8-136.4 Lb-Ft)
 

Installation

NOTE: Ensure the spring pigtail is positioned between the two holes in the front suspension lower arm spring pocket.

  1. Place the front spring insulator (5415) on the top of the spring. Position the front coil spring into the front suspension lower arm spring pocket.
  1. Position front coil spring into upper spring seat in crossmember .
  1. On Mustang with 3.8L engine, insert the compression rod through the front suspension lower arm and spring, then hook it to the upper plate. The upper plate is installed with the hooks facing the center of the vehicle.
  1. On Mustang with 5.0L engine, install upper plate between coils in location marked during removal.
  1. Install lower plate, ball nut, thrust washer and bearing, and forcing nut onto compression rod.
  1. Tighten forcing nut, position front suspension lower arm into crossmember, and install new front suspension lower arm-to-crossmember bolts and nuts. Do not tighten at this time.
  1. Remove spring compressor tool from vehicle. On Mustang with 5.0L engine, use care when removing upper plate to avoid nicking the spring coils.
  1. With a suitable jack, raise the front suspension lower arm to a normal position. Tighten the front suspension lower arm-to-crossmember retaining nuts to 149-203 Nm (110-149 lb-ft). Remove the jack.
  1. Install the steering gear-to-crossmember bolts and nuts (if removed). Hold the bolts, and tighten the nuts to 122-135 Nm (90-99 lb-ft).
  1. Connect the front stabilizer bar link to the front suspension lower arm . Tighten the attaching nut to 16-22 Nm (11-16 lb-ft).
  1. Position the front wheel spindle connecting rod or end assembly into the front wheel spindle , and install the front axle wheel hub retainer (3B477) nut. Tighten the nut to 255-345 Nm (189-254 lb-ft).
  1. Install the front disc brake caliper and front disc brake rotor (1125) . Refer to Section 06-03.
  1. Install wheel and tire assembly. Tighten wheel hub bolt nut (1012) to 115-142 Nm (85-105 lb-ft). Lower vehicle.