Mustang Monthly Homepage Mustang Monthly
Get Adobe Flash player

How To Relocate Upper Control Arms

Upper Control Arms Drill
Since our car already has... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Drill
Since our car already has the Blue Moon arms, our main task at Marlo's was to remove the upper arms and drill the relocation holes in the shock towers. Though a fairly basic task for a fully equipped suspension shop, it takes a few hours to remove the arms, drill the holes, put it all back together again, and align the front end. We began by removing the tower dust shields, as shown here. One person holds the nuts in place underhood while the bolts are removed from inside the fenderwell.
Upper Control Arms Control Arms
Blue Moon's Control Freak... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Control Arms
Blue Moon's Control Freak upper control arms (center) incorporate the negative-wedge ball-joint angle into the arm. This means you can drill the holes in the shock tower and install the arms. Also shown is a set of Blue Moon's lower-front control arms. The installation of those was shown in our Nov. '05 issue.
Upper Control Arms Wedge Kit
If you retain your car's stock... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Wedge Kit
If you retain your car's stock upper control arms, they can be relocated. You'll need to install a negative-wedge kit, as shown here. This setup includes new ball joints and hardware, templates to properly locate the holes, and the wedge spacers themselves (center, near top). The spacers install between the ball joints and the arm to keep the ball joint from binding and possibly breaking once the arm is lowered in the shock tower. It also optimizes the camber curve. This kit is made by Pro Motorsports Engineering and is available at Marlo's Frame.
Upper Control Arms Unbolt
The shocks must be removed.... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Unbolt
The shocks must be removed. Unbolt the three nuts at the top of the tower...
Upper Control Arms Remove Bracket
...and remove the shock and... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Remove Bracket
...and remove the shock and its mounting bracket. Two nuts need to be removed on the bottom of the shock where it attaches to the spring perch.
Upper Control Arms Springs
Since our car had shorter-than-stock... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Springs
Since our car had shorter-than-stock springs in place, the springs were removed without a compressor. Marlo's compresses the spring by lifting on the lower control arm, then installs these clamps. When the jack is lowered, the clamps keep the spring compressed for safe removal. If your car has stock springs, you'll need a compressor.
Upper Control Arms Remove Nut
With the spring out, remove... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Remove Nut
With the spring out, remove the nut that holds the upper arm to the spindle. Note here that the brake caliper and rotor have been removed for easier access to the suspension parts.
Upper Control Arms Joint Spreader
A couple of small hits with... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Joint Spreader
A couple of small hits with a ball-joint spreader shocks the pieces apart, and the arm is easily separated from the spindle.
Upper Control Arms Unbolt Tower
Next, the arm is removed by... 
   
  read full caption
Upper Control Arms Unbolt Tower
Next, the arm is removed by unbolting it from the shock tower. A helper needs to hold the nuts in place from underhood while the bolts are turned from inside the fender.

Prev | 1  | 2  | 3  | Next

Ford Mustang Research
Ford Mustang Review in-depth reviews on the new Ford Mustang, featuring test drives, comparisons, options, features and more. The Mustang gets 18 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway, and has a trade in value of $16,902.00 which should come in handy when you go to shop for your next car. Other similar vehicles are the Ford Shelby GT 500 and the Ford Fusion.
Upper Control Arms Old Holes Upper Control Arms Template
Upper Control Arms Hardware Upper Control Arms Pilot Holes
 
How To Rebuild Your Power Steering Control Valve
Classic Mustangs equipped with Bendix power-assisted steering yield all kinds of challenges for enthusiasts who have to live with them. When components are fresh and everything is installed properly,... more
 
Understand and Repair Climate Control
Got cold feet, or are you baking in your vintage ponycar? The how-to on diagnosing and fixing your climate control woes...... more
 
How To Replace Floorpans
Is your Msutang floor in need of major surgery? Find out how to replace those rusted pieces.... more
 
How to Build a Stealth 347
This Small-Block Looks Stock, But It Packs 200 More Horsepower... more
 
How to Install Sequential Taillights
Converting your Mustang's taillights to sequentials... more
 
How To Install an Electric Fan
Old Air Products Frees Up Horsepower And Improves Efficiency With By-Wire Cooling... more
 
How Engines Work
Read the tech article on How Engines Work, brought to you by the experts at Mustang Monthly Magazine.... more
 
How to Correct Bumpsteer
As we found out, bumpsteer can be a serious problem on some modified vintage Mustangs. Here's how to fix it.... more
 
How To Install Power Windows
Electric-Life takes the grunt work out of opening and closing windows... more
 
How To Install A Paxton Supercharger
Adding A Supercharger To A Carbureted 289 Proves That Nothing Beats Boost... more