Repair And Fix it

The 2000 Mustang GT uses McPherson Type struts on its front suspension. This type of strut makes up part of the cars steering assembly, with the damper acting as the upper steering pivot. If you are noticing your Mustang is riding rougher and not handling as well, the struts may be to blame. You can purchase the individual strut or an entire assembly. The individual strut is cheaper, but its easier to replace an intact assembly.

Instructions

Removal

1

Loosen the lug nuts on both front wheels with a lug wrench and raise the car with an automotive jack. Place a jack stand under the lower controls that are on each side of the car. Remove the lug nuts and both wheels.

2

Use a socket wrench to remove the center bolts from the brake caliper guide pins and pull the pins out of the caliper. Pull the caliper off the rotor and secure it out of the way with a piece of wire. Be caul not to damage the brake hose.

3

Open the hood and remove the three nuts that attach the strut assembly to the cars frame.

4

Locate the mounting bracket attached to the strut assembly that holds the brake line. Remove the nut and detach the bracket. Cars not equipped with ABS will not have this.

5

Locate the two large bolts that attach the strut to the spindle and remove the nuts with a socket wrench. You might need to hold the bolt head with another wrench to prevent it from turning. Place a large screwdriver or punch against the each bolt and tap it with a mallet to drive it out.

6

Pull the strut assembly down and out of the car.

Installation

7

Insert the new strut assembly up into place. Make sure the strut is properly aligned and that the three bolts are inserted into their holes at the top. Replace the three nuts, but do not tighten them.

8

Replace the two bolts that hold the strut to the spindle. Replace the nuts and tighten them to 141 to 191 ft.-lbs. of torque with a torque wrench.

9

Replace the brake line bracket.

10

Tighten the top bolts to 25 ft.-lbs. of torque.

11

Place the brake caliper into place and insert the guide pins. Repeat the strut replacement procedure on the opposite side. Replace the wheel and lug nuts.

The Ford Mustang was introduced in 1964. The 1994 Ford Mustang was available in GT and Cobra trim levels. The GT variant was equipped with a 3.8-liter V-6 capable of producing 145-horsepower. The famous 5.0-liter V-8 was optional for 1994 Mustang GT, and could produce 215 horsepower. Removing or replacing the seat belt panel on the 1994 Mustang GT requires work on the body of the vehicle. This project should be carried out by someone with prior mechanical knowledge. Removing the seat belt panel involves the removal of a safety device, which should be re-installed by a professional mechanic.

Instructions

1

Open the door of the Mustang. Slide the seat as far forward as it can go, then release the back of the seat to tilt it forward. Locate and remove the two screw caps on the vertical door rail, near the door catch, using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the two bolts beneath the caps with a ratchet and socket.

2

Push the front edge of the back seat back and release it from the clips. Pull the front lip of the seat upwards -- you may have to get in on both sides of the car and use your knee to push the seat back, to release the clips. Tilt the front of the seat up and remove the back seat from the Mustang.

3

Remove the cover from the speaker on the seat belt panel by gently prying it off with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the three Philips screws that hold the speaker to the panel. Pull the speaker out of the panel, and pull the speaker wires free from the back of the speaker, by hand. Set the speaker out of your work area.

4

Remove the 15-mm bolt from the base of the seat belt panel, using a ratchet and socket. Allow the bottom of the belt to retract through the slot in the panel. Gently pry the panel loose from the side of the Mustang, using a putty knife wrapped in a towel. Slide the putty knife along the edges until you hit a clip, then pry the panel free from that clip -- the rest of the panel is held on by multiple body clips. Pry the panel free from all of the clips, then remove the panel from the Mustang.

5

Install the panel into the car, and align the panel with the clips underneath. Gently tap the panel with the side of your fist or a rubber mallet, starting in the center-rear of the panel. Pull the bottom of the seat belt through the panel, then install the seat belt mounting bolt in the floor, by hand. Turn the bolt a couple of threads to temporarily hold the belt in place.

6

Tap the edges of the panel to install the panel on the rest of the body clips. Tighten the seat belt mounting bolt back into the bottom of the seat deck, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket. Tighten the bolt between 25 and 34 foot-pounds. Install the speaker wires back onto the rear speaker. Insert the speaker into the panel and tighten the screws snug with a Phillips screwdriver -- no torque is needed on the speaker screws; adding torque can crack the panel.

7

Install the rear side of the back seat under the vertical seat cushion. Push the front edge of the seat back and down to clip it into the floor of the car -- you may have to enter both sides of the vehicle and use your knee to push the seat back enough to engage the clips. Lift up on the front lip of the seat with your fingers to make sure that you have the seat clipped in. Repeat this step until both sides of the back seat are securely fastened.

8

Install the two screws into the panel near the door catch, on the vertical door jamb. Tighten the screws snug with a ratchet and socket. Install the screw caps.