Mustang- Steeda Aluminum Upper Rear Control Arm Install : Mods : FordvsChevy.com

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Mustang- Steeda Aluminum Upper Rear Control Arm Install

Submitted by: MW98GT

Note: The installation process should be similar for any late-model mustang with upper control arms from other companies. This installation took around 7 hours with the help of another. The main problem is getting the stock axle bushings to come out. That part took around 4 hours, having to learn on the driver side how to do it best on the passenger side. We learned that unless you have a small drill to get 90 degrees perpindicular with the bushing it is best to drop the exuast after the cats, which will be explained. FvC.com is not responsible for any damages incurred by following these directions.

Underside

Figure 1

1. Raise the mustang and place it on jack stand or use a drive on lift or ramp. Then place a jack under the differential housing (#1 on Figure 1) and support it lightly The upper rear control arms are number 4 in the picture above. Warning: If you jack the housing to high the car will fall of the ramp.

Upper Control Arms

Figure 2

2. Unbolt (#1 and 2 of figure 2) and remove one upper rear control arm. Remove only one control arm at a time. This will make it easier to line up the new control arms when they are installed.

3. Remove the rubber bushing from the rear axle housing. IMPORTANT Do not remove the outer steel sheel from the axle housing. You will need it to hold the new bushings. The best way to remove the rubber is to drill it out with a 3/8" drill bit. Drill into the rubber at the outer edge of the diameter, next to the outer steel sheel. Let the twisting drill bit walk all the way around the outer edge of the bushing to seperate it from the steel sheel. Then pull the rubber out. We found it to be a little harder than just that, but that is basically what you do with that.
If the drill is to long and doesn't allow you to drill straight in, you must drop the exhaust from after the cats. It is real simple, just undo the nuts from after the cats and then undo the two sets of bolts (one by the control arms and the other by the tips). When putting the exhaust back on, make sure to bolt the tip bolts and the bolts by the control arm first before putting the nuts back on after the cat for proper alignment. Also, turn on the car with the cat-back exhaust dropped, it sounds so sweet.

4. Clean the inside of the sheel and remove any old rubber with a wire brush or Scotchbrite pad.

5. Remove the center steel sleeve from the new axle bushing (if already installed). Lightly grease the inside of the steel axle sheel and press the bushing into the shell with the bushing flange facing out. After the bushing is installed, grease the center steel sleeve that you took out and then tap it back into the bushing with a hammer.

6. Slip the thrust washer (the large black urethane ring) over the small end of the axel bushing with the part numbers facing away from the bushing (# should face towards the center of the car).

7. Grease the sides of the bushings and the thrust washer with a sticky grease and install the front end of the new control arm into the car. Do not tighten the bolts yet.

8. Pull the control arm down over the axle bushing and install the new bolt (supplied). Raise or lower the front of the differential with a jack to help align the bolt holes.

9. Tighten both bolts and repeat the procedure for the other arm.

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