Rear Traction Bar - Service
83ford20 Article No. 83-6-9SUSPENSION - REAR - TRACTION BAR SERVICE - 5.0L ENGINE - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SROD - 4-SPEED OR T-5 5-SPEED
FORD 1982-83 MUSTANG
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1982-83 CAPRI
Rear Suspension traction bars have been released for all 1982-83 Mustang/Capri vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions (SROD 4-Speed or T-5 5-Speed). The function of this traction bar is to eliminate axle "hop" during heavy acceleration.
A few notes of caution are listed below should service of the traction bar be required.
1. If the rubber bumper is damaged such that the steel bar is contacting the striker plate, the rubber bumper should be replaced. If replacement is required, a solution of water and Ivory soap or Fels Napha soap ONLY may be used to ease bumper installation. DO NOT use any other lubricant such as
oil, grease, silicone or other liquid soaps. Oil and grease will cause deterioration of the natural rubber bumper. Silicone or other liquid soaps will leave a residue and may cause the bumper to slip out of position on the bar.
FIGURE 13:
2. After installing new component parts, the traction bar should be adjusted by adding or removing the shims. The adjusted space is to be 1/2 inch +/- 1/4 inch between the bumper and the striker plate with the vehicle at curb height (Figure 13).
FIGURE 14:
3. If a striker plate is missing, the lower control arm should be carefully inspected for wear in the area of contact by the traction bar. If any wear is indicated, the arm should be replaced along with a new striker plate (Figure 14).
4. The torque on the "U" bolt nuts (2) is 115.2-142.3 N-m (85-105 lbs.ft.) and the bolts that retain the striker plate to the lower control arm are torqued to 20.4-27.1 N-m (15-20 lbs.ft.).
5. When the stabilizer bar is to be removed for service, the striker plate must be removed and reinstalled after stabilizer bar is installed.
6. When the lower control arm is to be removed for service, the striker plate must be reinstalled on the new arm.
7. Avoid brake fluid spillage onto the axle housing, traction bar and rubber bumper when bleeding the brake system or when other brake service requires disconnecting the rear brake lines. It is recommend- ed that the Shop Manual procedure be followed when bleeding the brake system by installing a bleeder tube snugly around the bleeder fitting and use an appropriate container to catch the expelled brake fluid. Brake fluid on the bar may cause the rubber bumper to slip out of position.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 81-21-5
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"