Mustang Ford Racing Front Strut Mounts (2005-2013) Installation Instructions

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2005-2013 Mustang Ford Racing Front Strut Mount

This pair of Ford Racing Front Strut Mount Upgrades will fit 2005-2013 Mustangs.

This parts are original equipment on the 2011-2012 GT500 with the Track Pack option, and will fit 2005-2013 V6 and GT Mustangs, or 2007-2012 GT500s. For 2011-2013 V6/GT Mustangs, lowering springs and dampers are required.

This Install Also Applies To:

• Mustang Steeda Upper Strut Mount Heavy Duty Pair 2011-2013
• Mustang Steeda Upper Strut Mounts 2005-2010

Tools Required:

• Jack Stands
• Floor Jack
• Spring Compressor
• Torque Wrench
• 18mm Deep Well Socket
• 13mm Deep Well Socket
• 10mm Socket
• Socket Wrench(es)
• 8mm Open End/Box Wrench
• 10mm Open End/Box Wrench
• 18mm Open End/Box Wrench
• 21mm Open End/Box Wrench
• Panel Puller (or Needle Nose Pliers)

Install Difficulty:

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• Moderate Project

1. To start installing your new Mustang Ford Racing M-18183-C Front Strut Mounts, set the emergency brake and open the hood. Then, raise the front of the car and rest it on jack stands. Remove the wheel on the side of the car to be worked on. If you do not have an impact wrench, it might help to break the lug nuts loose before raising the car.

2. Under the hood, loosen all four of the upper strut nuts using the 13mm deep well socket. Leave them attached until later directed. This will prevent the strut assembly from falling. If there is a Mustang strut tower brace, remove per manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Turn the Mustang wheel to the side you are working on (i.e. turn the wheel left if you are working on the driver side or right if you are working on the passenger side).

4. Remove the brake line bolt using a 10mm socket.

5. Turn the wheel the opposite direction.

6. Using the panel puller (or needle nose pliers), remove the plastic ABS sensor wire retaining clip. Remove this carefully, as it will be reused (unless a new one is available).

7. Using a floor jack and jack stand, support the Mustang lower control arm and spindle.

8. Remove the upper stabilizer end link nut with an 18mm deep well socket. An impact gun can be used, but if an impact gun is not used, hold the stud in place with an 8mm wrench and remove the nut by using an 18mm open ended wrench.

9. Remove the Mustang end link from the strut assembly.

10. Using an 18mm socket, remove both strut-to-spindle bolts. These are torqued to 148 ft./lbs, so, if available, use an impact gun to remove the bolts. When the bolts are removed, the rotor assembly may flop outward. Be prepared and hold the rotor assembly in place to avoid damage/injury.

11. If the Mustang brake rotor assembly did not break loose when the bolts were removed, gently, yet firmly, wiggle the rotor assembly outwards until it releases from the strut assembly.

12. Holding the Mustang strut assembly in place, reach under the hood and loosen the upper strut nuts that were loosened in Step 5. Be prepared, as the strut assembly is completely loose at this point and can be removed from the car. Be careful not to drop it or scratch the car.

13. Attach the spring compressor tool per manufacturer’s instructions.

14. Compress the spring until the tension is removed from the upper strut mount.

15. Using a 10mm wrench, hold the strut stud from spinning while using a 21mm open ended wrench to remove the nut.

16. Remove the strut mount from the assembly and discard.

17. Install the new strut mount onto the strut piston.

18. Make sure the ends of the Mustang coil spring rest adjacent to the notches in the strut assembly. There is one notch on both the top and bottom of the spring.

19. With both notches aligned, replace the strut mount nut. Using a 10mm wrench, hold the stud to prevent spinning and use a 21mm open ended wrench to tighten the nut.

20. Turn the strut mount so that the indicator notch and the arrow are aligned with the clevis at the bottom of the strut.

21. Torque the strut nut to 46 ft./lbs. Note that the nut may bottom out before reaching this torque. Do not use an impact gun for this step, as it may damage the piston.

22. Release the Mustang spring compressor tool as directed by manufacturer’s instructions.

23. Insert the strut assembly back into the strut tower. Make sure the notch and clevis are aligned and facing outward.

24. While holding the Mustang strut assembly in place, reach under the hood and loosely attach the upper strut nuts to help hold the assembly in place. Note: Make sure the new nuts are installed.

25. With the Mustang lower control arm still supported, slide the rotor assembly back into the clevis.

26. Slide both strut-to-spindle bolts through the holes and attach the cam nuts on the back side.

27. Torque these two bolts to 148 ft./lbs. using an 18mm deep well socket and an impact gun (if available) or a torque wrench. This area will be tight if the torque wrench has a long handle.

28. Slide the upper stabilizer link through the hole it was removed from. It may help to use the floor jack to adjust the height of the assembly.

29. Using an 8mm wrench, hold the stud to prevent spinning while using an 18mm open ended wrench to tighten the nut. Torque this nut to 85 ft./lbs. As an option, an 18mm deep well socket and impact gun can be used here.

30. Re-install the plastic ABS sensor retaining clip.

31. Align the brake line bracket with the lower strut flange and insert the bolt.

32. Using a 10mm socket, tighten the bolt to 11 ft./lbs.

33. Under the hood, re-install the Mustang strut tower brace, if equipped.

34. Torque all four Mustang upper strut nuts to 26 ft./lbs. with a 13mm deep well socket.

35. Reinstall the wheel.

36. Repeat this process for the other side.

37. Lower the car.

38. Check the upper strut nuts to insure they are torqued properly.

39. Test drive your Mustang, then re-torque all of the fasteners to complete the installation of your new Mustang Ford Racing Front Strut Mounts.