confirming steps for rear spring install

crazyone64 · Jul 5, 2022

Hi

I'm changing the rear springs on my 2003 mach1 and wanted to double check my plan.
I'm using 4 jacks, (two on the subframe and two on the rear diff tube)

1. Remove sway bar
2a. Remove brake line bracket to give more room if needed? 10mm
2b. Jack up lower control arm a bit and remove the bolt
2c. Check that brake lines do not get snagged
3. lower the jack which will lower the lca and take pressure off the spring
3b. do i need to undo the quad shock? Im guessing yes from vague memory.
4. Remove the old spring and install the new spring with new isolator, pigtail facing driver side.
5. Jack the lower control arm up and torque to 111ft lbs
6. Install sway bar at 41 ftlbs

manicmechanic007 · Jul 5, 2022

Yes you need to remove the lower shock mount
You should not have to remove all the stuff you have listed
You jack it up by the frame after removing the shock lower mount and the spring will fall out
Just watch the brake lines and the axle vent tube as you go up
It should be all okay
If it does not fall out, just pull down on the tire some
Yes leave the tires on it if you can
Good luck

crazyone64 · Jul 6, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
Yes you need to remove the lower shock mount
You should not have to remove all the stuff you have listed
You jack it up by the frame after removing the shock lower mount and the spring will fall out
Just watch the brake lines and the axle vent tube as you go up
It should be all okay
If it does not fall out, just pull down on the tire some
Yes leave the tires on it if you can
Good luck

Thank you for the reply, can you please confirm i understood that correctly with the new steps:

1. Jack up the frame where the shock and lca attach. Remove the lower shock bolt
2. Check that brake lines do not get snagged
3. lower the jack
4 push down on tire / remove quad shock if needed
4. Remove/Install spring.
5. Jack the frame up and install the lower shock bolt and quad shock if needed.

Next part i needed help with is the rear axle::
Right now i've got 2 jacks on the subframe and 2 on the rear diff axle tube, raised pretty high. (L & R)
If i'm working on the drivers side,, do i remove just the driver side axle jack, or both driver and passenger side jack.

manicmechanic007 · Jul 6, 2022

It's easier to replace them both at the same time
So let both axle jacks down

crazyone64 · Jul 8, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
It's easier to replace them both at the same time
So let both axle jacks down

Hi, i've got the car supported on jack stands at the sub frame.
On both Driver and Passenger side, i removed the lower shock bolt, removed the quad shock bolt but the spring doesn't fall out even if i push down on the rotor a bit.
What do you recommend next? The jack and jack stand aren't touching anything in the pic.
I'm guessing the LCA bolt has to be removed, if so any advice before i begin? only the back of the car is jacked up

7991LXnSHO · Jul 8, 2022

crazyone64 said:
Hi, i've got the car supported on jack stands at the sub frame.
On both Driver and Passenger side, i removed the lower shock bolt, removed the quad shock bolt but the spring doesn't fall out even if i push down on the rotor a bit.
What do you recommend next? The jack and jack stand aren't touching anything in the pic.
I'm guessing the LCA bolt has to be removed, if so any advice before i begin? only the back of the car is jacked up

When this has come up on Fox bodies, (pretty much the same suspension), raising the other wheel has allowed more cross articulation. It’s worth a try before pulling control arm bolts.

crazyone64 · Jul 9, 2022

7991LXnSHO said:
When this has come up on Fox bodies, (pretty much the same suspension), raising the other wheel has allowed more cross articulation. It’s worth a try before pulling control arm bolts.

Do i need to remove the sway bar to do this

KRUISR · Jul 9, 2022

I have always supported the car on jack stands on the subframe (like you have) then let the axle hang. I do pull the tires (more access if needed). I undo the shock on the side I am working on (I don't have my quad shock anymore) with jack under the mount. I lower the jack and let droop. Usually a stock spring does not fall out so I use a pry bar to pop the bottom of the spring (not much spring pressure anymore at full droop). Once bottom is out the spring basically falls out.

I do the reverse with the spring going in. Install the upper end of spring in its pocket and use a pry bar or two to pop spring in its lower control seat.

SAFETY NOTE: Remember you are now inducing some stored energy into the spring. Be aware of your "line of fire" with your pry bars. If something slips there could be some kick back. It is not a problem if you are aware and thinking about it. It can just get a little frustrating.

crazyone64 · Jul 9, 2022

KRUISR said:
I have always supported the car on jack stands on the subframe (like you have) then let the axle hang. I do pull the tires (more access if needed). I undo the shock on the side I am working on (I don't have my quad shock anymore) with jack under the mount. I lower the jack and let droop. Usually a stock spring does not fall out so I use a pry bar to pop the bottom of the spring (not much spring pressure anymore at full droop). Once bottom is out the spring basically falls out.

I do the reverse with the spring going in. Install the upper end of spring in its pocket and use a pry bar or two to pop spring in its lower control seat.

SAFETY NOTE: Remember you are now inducing some stored energy into the spring. Be aware of your "line of fire" with your pry bars. If something slips there could be some kick back. It is not a problem if you are aware and thinking about it. It can just get a little frustrating.

Thanks for the reply, did you remove the sway bar? If not I'm thinking the LCA bushings are holding it up in which case loosening the LCA bolts might help me.

KRUISR · Jul 9, 2022

If I remember right I didn't, but it would give some more flex. You would only need to undo one side.

If you loosen the LCA bolts, remember not to fully torque them until the car is back on the ground with the weight on it. Otherwise you can induce a bind that can effect the suspension and how it performs.

7991LXnSHO · Jul 9, 2022

crazyone64 said:
Do i need to remove the sway bar to do this

It would help a lot.

Mustang5L5 · Jul 9, 2022

Main shocks, quad shocks and sway bar. Then you can articulate one side down at a time.

BTW are you removing OEM mach springs? If so I would hang onto those.

manicmechanic007 · Jul 9, 2022

Just push down on the axle if needed after the shocks are off
Push harder
Use a bog screwdriver or pry bar
You are done by now right?

crazyone64 · Jul 9, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
Just push down on the axle if needed after the shocks are off
Push harder
Use a bog screwdriver or pry bar
You are done by now right?

no insurance on the car right now so im taking my time enjoying the whole process. Very happy with forum support. I'll take her out in a few weeks and post some pics

crazyone64 · Jul 9, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
Main shocks, quad shocks and sway bar. Then you can articulate one side down at a time.

BTW are you removing OEM mach springs? If so I would hang onto those.

No, these are 14 year old eibachs. Both front ones were broken at the insulator so i bought all 4.

crazyone64 · Jul 10, 2022

Where exactly is the Ford Pinion Snubber Bracket? I forgot to install the new Pinion Snubber,

Monday · Jul 11, 2022

I placed my jack under the center of the rear-end. It lets you have a pivot point to get the springs in one at a time. Everything was disconnected. It takes a couple more minutes, but I was there anyway, and I'm not a fan of fast jobs - patience wins every time, plus I had a couple other things I wanted to replace while the car was in the "air". I should add the car was on jack stands at the torque boxes - strongest point...

One question, 'Did you replace the upper control arm bushings on the axle?'

Monday · Jul 11, 2022

My mistake. I see you used Prothanes.

MineralMan · Jul 26, 2022

crazyone64 said:
Where exactly is the Ford Pinion Snubber Bracket? I forgot to install the new Pinion Snubber,

The pinon snubber is directly above the rear end, mounted to the underside of the body. There are three 8mm bolts that hold the bracket on. Once removed from the car, you can separate the pinon snubber from the bracket and replace it with a new one.

1low03gt · Aug 14, 2022

A little late to the party, but I will give some input since I have done countless suspensions on foxes, and sn95/new edges. I have never disconnected the shocks or quad shocks.
Get the car on jack stands to have the rear in the air, take rear wheels off, slide the abs lines off the brackets, remove the sway bar, now pic a side to start, slide pump jack under the lower control arm, remove nut/bolt at the axle from the lower control arm, lower the control arm slowly, spring is now out. No need to take all that extra stuff out at all.

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