How to Change Out Struts on a Mustang

Changing the struts on your Ford Mustang is difficult and best left to a professional if possible. The struts must be changed together to maintain balance on the car. The strut assemblies are heavy and you may need help from a second person. Some components in the assemblies can be individually replaced, but changing the whole assembly will be easier. Note that some procedures, especially torque specifications, will vary on older models.

Instructions

Removal

1

Loosen the lug nuts on both front wheels with the lug wrench, raise the Mustang's front end on jack stands and remove the wheels. Use a floor jack to support the lower control arm, raising the jack slightly under the arm. Raise the hood to access the strut's upper mounting nuts and apply the parking brake.

2

Remove the harness for the antilock braking system. If one is equipped, remove the ABS sensor by tracing the wiring from the sensor, detaching all brackets and sensors, then removing the mounting bolt and pulling the sensor out from the knuckle or plate.

3

Remove the bracket attaching the brake line to the strut. Remove the stabilizer bar from the strut by removing the nuts connecting the stabilizer link to the strut.

4

Use chalk or washable paint to mark the bolt heads' positions on the strut, then loosen the bolt to remove the strut-to-steering knuckle fasteners. Mark the strut's upper mount position in relation to the car body, slightly lower the control arm and remove the fasteners connecting the mount to the body.

5

Remove the steering knuckle, separating it from the steering knuckle. Make sure the knuckle doesn't fall outward, as this can damage the brake hose.

Installation

6

Compare the new strut assembly to the old one. Mark the new assembly in the same locations as the old one to help guide its installation.

7

Guide the strut into the fenderwell, insert its mount studs into the holes in the strut tower and tighten the nuts to 26 ft-lbs. Connect the steering knuckle to the strut flange using the bolts and nuts and tighten the bolts to 148 ft-lbs.

8

Reattach the brake hose and the antilock braking harness to the strut bracket. When connecting the ABS sensor, tighten its mounting bolt to 132 inch-lbs.

9

Lower the floor jack from underneath the lower control arm and remove it. Reconnect the wheels and lower the car, tightening the lug nuts.