How To Remove 79-04 Mustang Rear Control Arms

In this article from LMR, we will be going over a quick breakdown of removing the rear upper and lower control arms for your 1979-2004 Mustang. Replacing the rear control arms is a common modification for Mustang owners looking to get a better performing suspension. This removal article will give you the proper knowledge on removing the old worn-out unit to either upgrade or go back in with a stock replacement. Follow along and we will show you how this is done. Overall this one should take you roughly an hour to an hour and a half to complete.

Tools Needed

• Lift or a jack and a set of jack stands
• Complete socket set
• Breaker bar
• 1/2" impact or ratchet
• Assorted pry bars

1979-04 Mustang Rear Control Arm Removal Steps

1. Start by placing the car on a lift or a set of jack stands and get it as high as possible. Remove both of your rear wheels.


2. Pry the ABS sensor wire if equipped from the retaining bracket.


3. Start by removing the rear sway bar hardware if equipped. There will be (2) retaining bolts on each of the lower arms. Both of these bolts will be 15mm.


4. Remove the sway bar from the car.


5. Support the rear end with a jack or a set of pole jacks.


6. Remove the lower shock hardware on both the driver and passenger sides. This will be 15mm on the bolt side and 18mm on the nut side.


7. Now you can lower the rear end slightly to allow you to remove the rear springs from the vehicle.


8. Remove the lower control arm bolts on the axle side. The nut and bolt sizes will both be 18mm.


9. Repeat these steps for the chassis side with the same combination of tools. Once you have the bolt out, you can then remove the lower arm from the vehicle.


10. Repeat these steps for the other side.


11. Take this time to thoroughly clean the mounting points for the arm with brake clean and some rags.


12. Before moving to the upper control arms, we do recommend you go back in with either a stock replacement or an aftermarket set of lower arms. This will help eliminate the axle from shifting and causing possible damage to brake lines or any other components.


13. Moving to the rear upper control arms, remove the hardware securing the arm to the rear axle mounting point. Both of these bolts will be 18mm.


14. Repeat these steps for the chassis side with the same combination of tools.


15. Once this is removed, Take this time to thoroughly clean the mounting points for the arm with brake clean and some rags.


16. Repeat these steps for the other side.


17. You can now go back in with either a stock replacement or an aftermarket set of upper arms.


18. Now you can reinstall both wheels and test drive the vehicle.

We hope that this article has helped you and you have a better understanding of how to remove the upper and lower control arms from your 1979-2004 Mustang.