Front Suspension Change

[GMAN]

Well, as many of you know the the main thing that needs to be done on the Marks when buying one used is the entire front suspension. This time around, it was a royal PITA. This time around, the bolt that holds the airstrut to the lower control are was totally rusted in, and would not budge. I had to buy new ones. Luckily the ford dealer kept them stocked. The inner and outer bushings were totally rusted to the lower strut bar. I had to get those burned off with a torch. Everything is good now though.

 

[87TTOPGT420]

been there with my old mark viii when i converted it to coil

 

[kustomizingkid]

Fun stuff!!

 

[Roadboss]

For those that have air tools try using a punch point in your air chisel, just be sure to leave the nut on so that it helps guide the punch and keeps it on the bolt, also lots of PB Blaster ahead of time is a big help as well.

 

[kustomizingkid]

I just blast that bolt with my impact... haven't had one stay stuck yet....

 

[chicken]

i dont care what the kid says, must not use salt up nort ehh! thats how mine was, i tried opening the gap in the sleeve, torching carefully (dont wanna burn the bushing) i got to the point where i tried my ball joint press to push the bolt out and you could see on the other side of the shock start to push out, it was trying to push the sleeve through it. said screw it and bought a new LCA

 

[kustomizingkid]

I dunno chicken, I have done 6 now... not had trouble with a single one, all MN cars...

 

[GMAN]

That made my fourth one I did, and the first time I ever had bolts tighter than a fat guy in spandex. :shifty: Easier for me to just put the whole assembly out since I was replacing the whole thing.