okay, so I get started on the rear, the pics will explain what I've done and it was quite easy not only the suspension arms/links but also the shocks and springs. As a DIY'er I've really changed my tune on the Ford Platform at least on these Mondeos.
It went without a hitch and wasn't hard or a struggle to do. I'm very pleased that I chose to source complete units and not be a tighter *** getting bushes that would have needed to be pressed in. That's not for me, whilst it probably would been if I had a Land Cruiser or similar and time to allow for it.
On to the front...
Drop link off, loosened the top strut mount bolts, removed the drive shaft retaining bolt, disconnected the
ABS sensor. All seemed to be going well, then came the lower ball joint...
That S.O.B was in there tigher than a (insert lewd comment) and wouldn't you know I didn't have a ball joint splitter. Stuff it the lower control arm is coming out it's 3 bolts anyway. Yay winning strut is out.
On to the other side...
Just as painful as the first lol. so out comes it's control arm. Struts out and I can continue on.
I compress the spring and it's delightful not a chore at all. I take the top mount/strut bearing off and it falls apart with a hundred small ball bearings scattering across the floor. Gutted I didn't allow or contemplate that, heart sinking, I'm straight on the phone.
I'm on the phone and trying to get another bearing, 5 in Aus none in QLD. Yep sure thing get two and can you please air freight them express I need them asap, job on hold and school holidays nearing ending yarda yarda yarda, 'Yes will do' says the Parts Interpreter. Yeah right; next day no call, next day I call and enquire, he's got to chase up the connote, finds it and says they're in Brisbane and now in that lot (order being trucked up). ?!?!? wtf why wasn't it air freight straight to Here?
'I don't know, delivery as been weird here' he said. Well the whole idea is to get them HERE!....School Holidays end...
So I rock up and get them and no... for $96.70ea you get the bearing and the bearing only, no top mount, no assembly of any sort, just the bearing. On the receipt is ROAD FREIGHT!!!! air freight to Brisbane truck to FNQ. I was in the right mind to walk and source them OS cause they're about GBP$11ea and now that School is back it's not so important and could have waited. I'm not that spiteful though. Annoyed was all. A couple of Hundred and I can get going again, thems the breaks.
Oh it's beautiful to steer btw, smooth not a sound to be heard (wasn't any to begin with though) and easier to steer. It wasn't heavy before but wasn't as easy as it is now. Happy to put it behind me.
Anyway I assemble the struts and have troubles with the control arms, off to get a ball joint splitter. Man-O-Man are those [insert profanity] are tight. Got them off, in goes the control arm driveshaft in loose, strut in, but what a joy it was wrestling the control arm to get enough downward movement to get the ball joint into the steering knuckle. There's no wonder the front control arms aren't looking worn, they're as firm as [insert profanity] with no give. I respect specialised tooling now and can see why the need for one particular ball joint splitter looks identical to a ice hockey stick, one word....leverage.
Over the moon it's done, transformed the car to a point we've never felt. No sloppy roll over, no nose dive on braking, no squatting and the worst bumps in my area where I've heavily bottom out over an abomination of a road surface with sugar cane rail tracks crossing....it goes over with upper class contempt and poise.
No pics of the front in situ sorry I had to get a rush on to make the Alignment this afternoon. Everyone approves and notices a difference ;) that's always good.
Happy to have squared it away it's been on my mind for a long time.
The Rear:
The Front:
If it stops raining tomorrow I'll take a pic of the car and how it sits, it's a good couple of inches higher than it's sad state, just with the 3 kids (4,9,10) in the car you could see the negative camber and body panel near the height of the tyre. I have a pic at the wheel aligners with their newly purchased machine it was quick in and out and in my happiness of completion I bloody forgot to ask for a print out...stupid I know. It was a Hunter 4cam machine $70 for the four wheels can't complain...
did I mention the RHR didn't need adjusting lol...
Hope you've enjoyed it, I did and will do for some time hopefully and stop chewing out the tyres.