Here you can find information regarding repairs to the Mustang rear end system. These repairs include the
rear control arms installation, the rear swaybar information and bolt torque specs,
the rear diff fluid change procedures, and the rear end watts system installation. All of these repairs and
procedures include in depth details on how to perform the replacement and or repair. They
also contain all the detailed torque specs needed for each bolt involved in the repair.
Rear Control Arm Installation
The rear control arm on a Mustang consists of 2 bars that connect the end of the rear axle to the frame
of the vehicle. The lower control arm consists of 2 bolts which go from the axle to the frame and torque down to
130 ft-lbs. The upper arm is located in the center of the axle and has 2 bolts which connect it to the upper portion of the frame.
These 2 bolts should be tightened to 85 ft-lbs. Next there is a bolt which connects the arm to the rear end differential. This bolt
should be tightened to 129 ft-lbs. Finally in the trunk there is a bolt which goes downwards into the control arm and should be tightened
to 240 ft-lbs. All of the bolts can be tightened down using some blue or red loctite to ensure they do not come apart.
Mustang Upper Arm to Diff Torque Specs : 129 ft-lbs
Mustang Upper Arm to Lower Frame Torque Specs : 85 ft-lbs
Mustang Upper Arm Trunk Bolt Torque Spec : 240 ft-lbs
Mustang Lower Arm Bolts Torque Specs : 130 ft-lbs
Rear Swaybar Installation
The rear swaybar for this vehicle connects to the lower control arm and acts as an antiroll bar. It consists of
brackets which should be tightened down to 52 ft-lbs and endlinks that get tightened to 85 ft-lbs.
Mustang Swaybar to Bracket Torque Spec : 52 ft-lbs
Mustang Swaybar Endlinks Torque Specs : 85 ft-lbs
Rear Differential Fluid change
The first step in replacing your rear end differential fluid is to jack the rear end of the vehicle up into the
air. Be sure to use safety precautions so that
no injuries occur. With the vehicle in the air you will have clear access to the rear differential. If you want
to check the current fluid level you can remove the check level plug, if the level is full the fluid should be directly below the level of the plug.
If it is lower then your are currently low on fluid.
To replace the fluid inside the diff you must remove the plate and allow for the fluid inside to seep out. You can also remove
the diff drain plug and the fluid will seep out of the diff from there. Be
sure to have a container to catch the fluid.
Once the fluid stops flowing you can reinstall the plate by using some silicon sealant to help prevent leakage.
The bolts for the plate should be torqued to 30 ft-lbs.
The fluid drain plug will need to be tightened to 18 ft-lbs.
With the plate reinstalled you can now take your new fluid and fill the rear end up through the fill plug
hole which will be located on the upper end of the differential usually half way up. Once done reinstall the plug and torque it to 18 ft-lbs. If you
removed the diff cover be sure to check for any leaks.
Mustang Differential Fill Plug Torque Specs : 18 ft-lbs
Rear Shocks Installation
To replace the rear shocks on a Mustang you will need to remove two sets of bolts/nuts. The first being
the one located on the top of the shock.
This one can be accessed by the trunk by removing the inside carpet. Once this one has been
removed the next bolt is located on the bottom
of the vehicle. Once the bottom bolt has been removed the shock can be lowered out of the vehicle. The new part
can now be placed in the vehicle much the same
way that the old one has been removed. When tightening the bolts back up make sure to torque the top nut to 30
ft-lbs. The lower bolt on the shock must
be tightened to 85 ft-lbs.
