I've been reading up on this to make sure my install of the bullitt kit goes smoothly. I've looked at several install pages and had a question on the strut removal. After the car is on jackstands, and the a arms are given pre-load, do you then
1. remove the single nut on top of the strut and lower the jack under the a arm
or
2. remove the bolts on the caster camber plates (c/c plates look riveted in one spot), then the strut nut, then lower the a arm. (some articles say nothing about removing the c/c plates.

Also,
3. some articles don't say anything about removing the tie rod ends or ball joints, is it necessary?

4. Does the front sway bar have any tension on it or can you just unbolt it with the a arms preloaded?

Sorry for all the questions. Any help or input is greatly appreciated!

 

I don't remove the bolts on the strut tower. I remove the two bolts bolting the strut to the spindle. Also, you do need to remove the tie rod ends. Once you remove the bolt smack the spindle really hard where the Tie Rod goes in. It will flop right out. Remove the nut on top of the sway bar, it is not under pressure/load. Just keep the floor jack under the lower control arm until you are ready to drop the spring. Be careful and let me know if you need pics. I can get you some later.

 

Yes, we took the camber plates off, YES you have to remove the tie rod ends, get a fork for this (tie rod fork). Good luck.

 

Good, keep em coming!

 

This is exactly how I do it and I've done it like 20 times. You can be done in an hour if you have air tools doing it this way.

 

Im changing shock and struts as well/ keep in mind. Couldn't I just unbolt the strut from the spindle, sag the control arm, remove the old strut and replace it with the new one up top, insert the spring, compress the control arm to bolt it back to the spindle. I'm installing a diff sway bar too, so I'd prolly have to do both sides at the same time.Im changing shock and struts as well/ keep in mind.

 

once you start getting into it you will see what needs to be done. start off using the directions from the how-to section on mustangworld.com for changing the springs and while you have the springs out you can change the struts very very easily. the sway bar is the easiest part and i would leave it for last.

here's the link - http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/spring2.htm

1, take off your wheels,
2, take off your brake pistons (following the directions from mustangworld)
3, unbolt tie rod and sway bar
4, with the control arm compressed a bit, unbolt the strut from the top
5, take the strut out completely by compressing it by hand and pulling to you. then unbolt it from the bottom mount.
6, replace springs with new springs
7, reassemble
8, install new sway bar
9, go get your car alligned