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Mustang Front Lower Control Arm Install - 05-09 FRPP GT500 Style M-3075-E
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Published on 2013-07-11
Worn out lower control arms on S197 Mustangs are a common reason for pops and other annoying sounds coming from the front suspension. Chances are the bushings and ball joints have worn out. To ease the install on our Mustang we decided to use the ¬Ford Racing GT500 Lower Control Arms ( M3075E ). These control arms include pre-installed performance bushings and ball joint. Having these already installed on the control can cut down drastically on your install time.
Transcript
JONATHAN MCDONALD: Our '05 Mustang has over 100,000 miles on it. If you're '05 to '10 Mustang falls into that category, more than likely you're experiencing some odd front end noises, squeaks, pops, maybe even some alignment issues.
Luckily, Ford Racing has these complete replacement front lower control arm assemblies that'll take care of your ball joints and bushings while allowing you to do this in your driveway with common hand tools and a couple of hours.
These control arms are fitted with the GT500 upgraded ball joints as well as the higher durometer bushings. That way, you're not only improving, you're upgrading.
Using a jack and jack stands, or a hydraulic lift, get your car up in the air and remove the wheels. And it's a good, best practice to use some sort of penetrating lubricant, like WD 40.
You'll need to take the two rack bolts completely loose and out of the car. I was able to do this with a long, 3/8 ratchet in an 18-millimeter socket, so you can pull the rack forward and gain access to the front control arm bolt.
With the rack pulled forward, you can grab your ratchet and 18-millimeter socket and remove the front control arm bolt. Then move to the back control arm nut and use a 21-millimeter wrench to remove the nuts.
Finally, you can remove the pinch both and nut from the ball joint and remove the control arm from the vehicle. If you run into any resistance like we did, because of corrosion, a couple of taps with a hammer may be necessary to get the ball joint free from the spindle.
Grab your new control arm. Slide it into place. Install your two speed bolts with nuts in the back attaching points, and loosely tighten them. Don't fully tighten them just yet.
Move to the front control arm attaching point. Slide the bolt into place and loosely tighten it. Now you can fully tighten the two rear control arm nuts, and then tighten the front control arm bolt.
Position the spindle and slide your ball joint into place. Reinsert the pinch bolt and nut and fully tighten. Slide your steering rack back into place. Install and fully tighten the two retaining bolts.
Any time you mess with a steering or suspension component on your Mustang, it's a good idea to go and run by a professional alignment shop and let them check the alignment. That way, you don't wear out those expensive tires.
Now for more suspension and steering products for your Mustang, check out latemodelrestoration.com.