Front suspension rebuild?

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 13, 2004

Front suspension rebuild?... DIDN'T get done!

Am planning on replacing the lower control arms, strut rods and upper ball joints this weekend. Have two 2 1/4 ton jack stands and a floor jack along with assorted hand tools.
How long, on average, might this take me to do? Never done it before and need to have the car driveable come Monday.

Also, if I were to install new coil springs, how do I use the coil spring compressor tool? Should I put the end of the new coil spring in a vise? I'm just figuring that theres only so much compressing I can do on a new spring before it just starts turning in my hands.

Ozsum2 · Aug 13, 2004

I'm going to suggest you get ahold of a manual. You will need an alignment after doing the lower control arms and struts. A vise would be helpfull, but is not needed. It could take most of a day.

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 13, 2004

I've got one of the Mustang/Fairlane manuals.

Ozsum2 · Aug 13, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
I've got one of the Mustang/Fairlane manuals.

Glad to hear it. Super Dave was a strong proponent of the Ford Shop Manual for a good reason. Many on here start a project, only to get in over their heads and cry for help. Good luck.

HistoricMustang · Aug 13, 2004

I am with Ozsum2 on this one believe it or not.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 15, 2004

Started to work on my front suspension rebuild this weekend and ran into a big problem.
Went to remove the lower control arm pivot bolts and the bolts where previously installed with the head of the bolt on the oil pan crossmember side, not towards the front of the car. Well so then I tried to remove the crossmember... no go. The bolts wouldn't budge at all.

Checked the shop manual and it mentions nothing about having to remove the crossmember so thats why I figure some wanker went and put them in backwards.

If I can't get the oil pan crossmember off I guess I'll need to borrow something to cut the lower control arm bolts off and install the new bolts with the heads facing toward the front of the car.

Anyone else ever run into this kinda crap?
Very frustrating.

65fastback2+2 · Aug 15, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
Started to work on my front suspension rebuild this weekend and ran into a big problem.
Went to remove the lower control arm pivot bolts and the bolts where previously installed with the head of the bolt on the oil pan crossmember side, not towards the front of the car. Well so then I tried to remove the crossmember... no go. The bolts wouldn't budge at all.

Checked the shop manual and it mentions nothing about having to remove the crossmember so thats why I figure some wanker went and put them in backwards.

If I can't get the oil pan crossmember off I guess I'll need to borrow something to cut the lower control arm bolts off and install the new bolts with the heads facing toward the front of the car.

Anyone else ever run into this kinda crap?
Very frustrating.

thats how they are supposed to go. I just redid my complete front suspension this past week. Thats how the bolts are supposed to go. If they were the other way you wouldnt be able to get a nut on them. You can get the oil pan crossmember off, just wd40 the bolts, and put some ooomph on em, or get an impact with 110 psi . They usually help bust em loose jumping around on the nut. Ive taken 2 off before and both came off in 10 minutes.

btw, no offense to those who recommended a shop manual, but, i have a 68 shop manual, and I redid the front suspension without the manual. Just tear one side down and rebuild it, that way you can look at the other if you have questions. The only thing I messed up on is I didnt leave the lower control arm bolts loose and put the car on em, I tightened em while the car was on stands.

65cpe69mach1 · Aug 15, 2004

Unfortunately I don't have an impact wrench or any air tools to use. Did try some penetrating spray. Also used another wrench locked onto the one I had on the bolt. Could see both wrenches starting to flex but the bolt wasn't moving.

Is this bolt screwed directly into the frame? Didn't find a nut that it was screwed into.

So what other ideas do you guys have?

65fastback2+2 · Aug 16, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
Unfortunately I don't have an impact wrench or any air tools to use. Did try some penetrating spray. Also used another wrench locked onto the one I had on the bolt. Could see both wrenches starting to flex but the bolt wasn't moving.

Is this bolt screwed directly into the frame? Didn't find a nut that it was screwed into.

So what other ideas do you guys have?

well, i got both of mine on the 65 and 67 off with just a socket, the impact was just an idea for getting it loose. It is just screwed into the frame. Your your legs or a big hammer. Just try and either hammer the socket or wrench with like a 3-5 pound hammer OR push on it with your feet while holding onto the car, both very effective this past week when i ripped it all apart

Ronstang · Aug 16, 2004

Go to bed Jason or you won't get the rear suspension done in the morning and you will run out of time this week.

pabear89 · Aug 16, 2004

65cpe69mach1 said:
Unfortunately I don't have an impact wrench or any air tools to use. Did try some penetrating spray. Also used another wrench locked onto the one I had on the bolt. Could see both wrenches starting to flex but the bolt wasn't moving.

Is this bolt screwed directly into the frame? Didn't find a nut that it was screwed into.

So what other ideas do you guys have?

Try a Socket with a Breaker Bar and a Long peice of Pipe.

PB

Front suspension rebuild?

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