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Front Suspension: Removal & Installation Ford Thunderbird XI

Suspension Front 21 illustrations ~1165 words

Removal and Installation

CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation is necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 3

Scheme 3
Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 4
Scheme 4
  1. If equipped, remove the right upper shock mount cover.
  2. If equipped, remove the retainers and the left upper shock mount cover.
  3. Remove and discard the four upper shock mount nuts.
  4. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  5. Remove the nut and disconnect the stabilizer bar link (5K483). Discard the nut.
  6. Remove the nut and bolt and remove the shock absorber and spring assembly. Discard the nut and bolt.
  7. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 5

Scheme 5
Scheme 5
  1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  2. Remove the brake disc. For additional information, refer to «FRONT ROTOR»(ref-220751-S38614338342006022000000) .
  3. Remove the pushpins.
  4. Move the inner fender skirt aside and disconnect the anti-lock brake (ABS) sensor.
  5. Detach the ABS sensor wire from the retainers.
  6. Remove and discard the bolts. Remove the wheel bearing and hub.
  7. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Scheme 6

Scheme 6: Wheel Studs
Scheme 6: Wheel Studs

Removal

CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 7

Scheme 7
Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 8
Scheme 8
  1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  2. Remove the front brake disc. For additional information, refer to «FRONT ROTOR»(ref-220751-S38614338342006022000000) .
  3. Using the special tool, press the stud from the flange.
  4. Line up the stud with the hole in the knuckle and remove the stud.

Installation

  1. Insert the stud through the hole in the knuckle and into the flange, making sure the serrations on the stud line up with the serrations in the flange.
  2. Install washers and a wheel nut on the wheel stud and tighten the nut until the stud seats against the flange. Discard the nut after use.
  3. Install the front brake disc. For additional information, refer to «FRONT ROTOR»(ref-220751-S38614338342006022000000) .
  4. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation is necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Note. New cam bolts and lock nuts must be installed whenever the lower control arm is removed.

Scheme 9

Scheme 9
Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 10
Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Scheme 11
Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Scheme 12
Scheme 12
  1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
  2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  3. Remove two bolts, one pushpin and the shield.
  4. Remove and discard the nut and while prying down on the bar, disconnect the stabilizer bar link.
  5. Remove and discard the nut and bolt. Disconnect the shock absorber and spring assembly.
  6. Remove and discard the nut. Separate the front suspension lower arm from the wheel knuckle.
  7. Remove and discard the front nut and bolt.
  8. Position the power steering gear aside. Remove two nuts and bolts. Discard the nuts. Remove the nut and bolt. Discard the nut. Position the power steering gear to access the lower control arm rear bolt.
  9. Remove and discard the rear nut and bolt. Remove the front suspension lower arm.

Scheme 13

Scheme 13: Installation
Scheme 13: Installation

Scheme 14

Scheme 14
Scheme 14
  1. Position the front suspension lower arm.
  2. Install a new caster adjustment cam bolt and a new nut. The bolt must be installed from the rear, as shown. Install the bolt with the cam lobe down. The cam must be seated between the cam guides on the No. 1 crossmember. The nut should only be snugged up at this time to allow for wheel alignment adjustment.
  3. Install a new camber adjustment cam bolt and a new nut. The bolt must be installed from the rear as shown. Install the bolt with the cam lobe down. The cam must be seated in the groove in the No. 2 crossmember. The nut should only be snugged up at this time to allow for wheel alignment adjustment.
  4. Connect the lower control arm to the knuckle. Install a new nut.
  5. Connect the shock absorber and spring assembly. Install a new bolt and nut.
  6. While prying down on the bar, connect the stabilizer bar link. Install a new nut.
  7. Install the shield, two bolts and one pushpin.
  8. Attach the power steering gear. Remove the nut from the center bolt. Install two bolts and three new nuts.
  9. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
  10. Lower the vehicle.
  11. Check the wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary. For additional information, refer to «SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES»(ref-232595) .
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 15

Scheme 15
Scheme 15

Scheme 16

Scheme 16
Scheme 16
  1. Remove and discard the power steering reservoir nut. Position aside the power steering reservoir.
  2. If equipped, remove the retainers and the left upper shock mount cover.
  3. Remove the retainers and position aside the EVAP canister purge valve.
  4. Disconnect the fluid level sensor connector.
  5. Disconnect the brake master cylinder main pressure transducer electrical connector, if equipped.
  6. Back out the reservoir bolt to give access to the master cylinder bolt.
  7. Remove the two brake master cylinder nuts and position aside the brake master cylinder.
  8. Remove and discard the inner and outer nuts.
  9. Remove and discard two nuts.
  10. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  11. Remove the nut and disconnect the stabilizer bar link.
  12. Remove the nut and bolt and remove the shock absorber and spring assembly. Discard the nut and bolt.
  13. Remove and discard the nut. Disconnect the suspension upper arm from the knuckle.
  14. Remove the inner and outer bolts and the suspension upper arm. Discard the bolts.
  1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 17

Scheme 17
Scheme 17

Scheme 18

Scheme 18
Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 19
Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 20
Scheme 20
  1. Remove and discard the nut.
  2. Remove and discard the nut.
  3. Remove the shock absorber and spring assembly. For additional information, refer to «SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY»(ref-169465-S12925530772004120900000) .
  4. Remove and discard the nut. Disconnect the suspension upper arm (3082) from the knuckle (3K185).
  5. Remove and discard the bolt.
  6. Remove the bolt and the suspension upper arm. Discard the bolt.
  7. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 21

Scheme 21
Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Scheme 22
Scheme 22
  1. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.
  2. Remove two pushpins, four bolts and both splash shields.
  3. Remove the bolts and the shield.
  4. Remove the nut and disconnect the stabilizer bar link (5K483). Discard the nut.
  5. Remove the nut and stabilizer bar link. Discard the nut.
  6. Remove and discard the nut and bolt. Disconnect the left shock absorber and spring assembly.
  7. Remove and discard the nut. Disconnect the left suspension lower arm and position the knuckle (3K185) out of the way.
  8. Remove the bolts and position the heater water valve and bracket out of the way.
  9. Remove the bolt and detach the A/C hose retainer. Position the A/C hose aside.
  10. Remove the bolts and the stabilizer bar brackets.
  11. Remove the stabilizer bar bushings.
  12. Carefully remove the stabilizer bar through the left wheel well.
  13. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation is necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
  1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
  2. Remove the nut and disconnect the stabilizer bar link (5K483) from the suspension lower arm (3078).
  3. Remove the nut and stabilizer bar link.
  1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Scheme 23

Scheme 23
Scheme 23
  1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
  2. Remove the bolts and the shield.
  3. Remove two pushpins, four bolts and both shields.
  4. Remove the bolts and the stabilizer bar brackets.
  5. Remove the stabilizer bar bushings.
  6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTIONSuspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect the performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
  1. Remove the wheel bearing and hub (1104). For additional information, refer to «WHEEL BEARING AND HUB»(ref-169465-S36152767772004120900000) .
  2. Remove the nut and disconnect the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle (3K185). Discard the nut.
  3. Remove the nut and disconnect the suspension lower arm (3078) from the knuckle. Discard the nut.
  4. Remove the nut and the knuckle. Discard the nut.
  5. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

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