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1979-2004 Mustang Lowering Spring Installation

Created by Tyler Rodriquez / 4 min read
Date Created: 8/7/2013
Last Updated: 7/29/2025

Check out our in-depth install guide to learn how to install a set of lowering springs on your 1979-2004 Mustang! We also cover caster camber plate and spring isolator installation.

Viewing this install and using the information shared is subject to the terms set forth here - View the LMR Install Instructions Disclaimer.

Tired of hearing “needs a drop” every time you post a picture of your Stang? SVE lowering springs can solve this problem! These Mustang lowering springs are designed to fit 79-04 Fox Body, SN95 & New Edge Mustangs. Lowering springs will drastically improve your handling and cornering without “slamming” your Pony to the ground. You will still have clearance to drive over speed bumps and pull up inclined driveways.

Follow along with the video as Jmac shows you how to install Mustang lowering springs. Installation can be done in your driveway with simple hand tools. Best of all, this installation is good for all 79-04 Stangs and will work with any lowering springs you pick up.


  • Fits: 1979-2004 Mustangs
  • Skill Level: Medium
  • Install Time: 2-3 Hours

Product Links:


Tools Required:

  • Jack
  • Jack Stands
  • Socket Set
  • Drill/Drill Bits (If Removing Factory Caster Camber Plates
  • Torque Wrench 

 

Step 1: Prep the Front Suspension

  • Jack up the front of the car and support it securely with jack stands.

  • Remove both front wheels.

  • Remove the sway bar endlink nuts and rotate the sway bar out of the way.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_5cf68f57.jpg (600×348)


Step 2: Remove Brakes & ABS Components

  • Remove the brake caliper bolts and slide the caliper off the rotor.

  • Remove the rotor from the hub.

  • Take off the ABS retainer nut, then remove the ABS bolt and sensor.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_02a89e32.jpg (600×356)


Step 3: Remove Front Springs

  • Place a floor jack under the lower control arm for support.

  • Remove the strut-to-spindle nuts and bolts.

  • Separate the spindle from the strut.

  • Slowly lower the jack to let the control arm drop.

  • Remove the front coil spring. A pry bar may help with stubborn springs.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_3c2d5ba5.jpg (600×350)


Step 4: Reinstall Front Suspension Components

  • Install new urethane spring isolators onto your new lowering springs.

  • Position the new spring into the control arm’s “saddle.”

  • Use the jack to raise the control arm into place.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_2973225d.jpg (600×463)


Step 5:
Caster Camber Plate Installation (Highly Recommended)

  • Remove the upper strut nut and pull the strut out.

  • Use a drill to remove the factory camber plate rivets.

  • Install the new bolt plate (notch facing forward underneath).

  • Place the bearing plate on top — follow included slot alignment instructions.

  • Install the retaining nuts.

  • Reinstall the strut (replace now if needed).

  • Install any required spacers as per instructions.

  • Slide the strut shaft through the new caster camber plate and tighten the top nut.

  • Reattach the strut to the spindle and torque down the strut hardware.

  • Reinstall ABS sensor, rotor, caliper, and sway bar.

  • Repeat the process on the other side.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_6b3ef0b7.jpg (600×394)

Step 6: Rear Suspension Disassembly

  • Jack up the rear of the car and support it with jack stands.

  • Remove rear wheels.

  • Remove the lower shock bolt.

  • Apply downward pressure on the rear axle to release the springs.

  • Remove the old springs and isolators.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_8e55bc1e.jpg (600×436)


Step 7: Rear Spring Install

  • Install new urethane spring isolators.

  • Install the new rear springs with the pigtail facing rearward.

  • Reinstall the lower shock bolts.

  • Reinstall wheels and repeat on the other side.

    mustang-lowering-spring-installation-79-04_c0aaf01c.jpg (600×510)

Recommended Additional Parts

Lowering your SN95 or New Edge Mustang will affect front camber and alignment. To prevent premature tire wear, we recommend:

About the Video

Mustang Lowering Springs Install - SVE Springs & Caster Camber Plates (79-04)

Check out our YouTube channel for even more tech tips, installation videos, how-tos, and more. The best place to go for anything Mustang related!

Published on 2013-08-07
Adding a set of lowering springs to any Mustang is a must! Not only do you get the benefits of better handling but you also get rid of that 4x4 stance that comes on all factory Mustangs. Not all lowering springs are created the same and that was the case with Tyler's Competition Orange GT. Cheap lowering springs had him avoiding every pot-hole and speed bump he saw in fears of bottoming out. Installing a set of lowering springs on your Stang can be done in your garage and will take first-time spring installers less than a couple of hours to complete.

Some products featured in this video have been discontinued or replaced with newer versions. Check out the site for the latest offerings.

1979-2004 SVE Lowering Springs & Isolators: https://latemodelres.to/5300A-K_YouTube

Caster Camber Plates

79-93 Caster Camber Plates | https://lmr.com/products/79-93-Mustang-Camber-Caster-Plates
94-04 Caster Camber Plates | https://lmr.com/products/94-04-Mustang-Camber-Caster-Plates

Rear Control Arms:

79-93 Rear Control Arms | https://lmr.com/products/79-93-Mustang-Rear-Control-Arms-Components
94-04 Rear Control Arms | https://lmr.com/products/94-04-Mustang-Rear-Control-Arms-Components

Shocks & Struts:

79-93 Shocks & Struts | https://lmr.com/products/79-93-Mustang-Shocks-Struts-Spring-Kits
94-04 Shocks and Struts | https://lmr.com/products/94-04-Mustang-Shocks-Struts-Spring-Kits

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#LMR #SN95 #NewEdge

Use of this video is subject to the terms as set forth in our LMR Install Video Disclaimer | https://lmr.com/page/lmr-install-video-disclaimer
Transcript
JONATHAN MCDONALD: If you've picked up a used Mustang, more than likely it's already got a few modifications done to it. Such is the case with our '04 GT here. The previous owner installed a set of springs that did a great job of lowering the car, but it rides like crap, handling is poor, and it bottoms out if you even look at a bump. And they didn't install any caster camber plates, so the alignment's off and it's wearing the front tires.

We're going to address all of these issues with our SVE Springing Caster Camber Plate Kit. It includes a set of our '79 to '04 V8 hard-top springs, caster camber plates for either '79 to '89, '90 to '93, or '94 to '04, and a set of urethane spring isolators. This is going to greatly improve the ride quality and handling, and we'll be able to get that alignment back in spec so we're not going to be wearing out those expensive tires anymore.

You'll start by supporting your car on jack stands on all four corners and remove all four wheels.

Well, the inside of this tire was completely worn flat, it was splitting, and it's about to blow out. And this is what you want to avoid by putting caster camber plates on when you install your lowering springs. That way you can get your alignment back correct.

Remove your front sway bar end links and rotate your sway bar up out of the way. Remove your two caliper retaining bolts on one side. Slide the caliper off the rotor and remove the rotor from the hub.

Take off your ABS retaining nut, remove the retaining bolt, and slide the sensor out of the spindle. Support the lower control arm with a jack, and you can remove your strut nuts and bolts and free the spindle from the strut. Lower the jack to allow the control arm to hang, and you can remove your front spring.

Grab one of your new front springs, slide your urethane isolators leaders into place, pop your spring into the saddle, and jack up on the control arm. Remove your upper strut nut. Remove the strut from the car. With a drill, remove the rivet from the stock camber plate. And then remove the stock camber plate hardware and pull the plate off the car.

On the new SVE caster camber plates, the notch on the bolt plate goes forward. Slide the bolt plate from underneath the strut tower. Then you can slide the bearing plate on top of the strut tower. Position your slots as per the installation instructions. Install your retaining nuts.

This is a good opportunity to replace your struts if they're bad like these. If you're replacing struts, be sure to slide your rubber bumper from your old strut onto your new strut, and also transfer your dust cover. Trim the rubber on your dust cover according to the instructions if it's needed.

Install the spacer stack as per the installation instructions. Slide your strut shaft into the caster camber plate bearing and tighten the nut. Slide your spindle into the strut. Reinstall and tighten the strut hardware. Go ahead and reassemble your brakes and ABS sensor and reattach your front sway bar.

Installation of the rear springs typically only requires you to remove the lower shock bolts and allow the rear end to fully droop so you can pop out your rear springs. We took the opportunity to go ahead and install some of our SVE rear control arms. With your old springs out of the way, go ahead and pop your rear urethane isolators into place. Slide your new spring up into the spring pocket, making sure that the pigtail at the bottom of the spring is facing rearward with the face of the cut lined up in the center of the control arm. Go ahead and button up the rear, put your wheels and tires back on, and lower the car.

With just a few parts and an afternoon worth of your time, you can greatly transform the handling characteristics and ride quality of your Mustang. Keep in mind that you never know what has happened to your car before you've got a hold of it, so be prepared for anything. Also when installing one of our SVE suspension kits, it's a great time to check out our extensive suspension section at latemodelrestoration.com and pick up a new set of shocks and struts for your car.
Thumbnail image of the author of this article, Tyler Rodriquez.

About the Author

Tyler has written content for Late Model Restoration for nearly 8 years, producing over 300 articles. As an avid New Edge fan, Tyler has owned 4 2004 Mustangs and an 88 Convertible Fox Body. Read more...