Tools Needed:
- wrench
- sockets – 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 15mm,
18mm (deep), 19mm (deep)
- jack and jackstands
- Spring compressor
Spring installs on the new S197 body
are extremely easy; especially after doing a few sets now. I did this
last set in a little over an hour and that includes taking notes and
a few pictures. With the install I used a set of GT500 STRUT MOUNTS ( part #M18183A )
.
These actually made a huge difference in the ride quality and made
the front feel more stable. I would say these are a must when
changing out springs!
Front Spring install:
Jack up the front of the car and
support it with jackstands. Remove the wheel.
Disconnect the brake line bracket
on the back of the strut (see picture below). The bolt is 10mm. The
brake line is also held in place by a push pin retainer on the side
of the strut. You will need to pry it off.
Unbolt the caliper bolts on the
back of the brake calipers. The bolt size is 12mm. Once the caliper
is unbolted, pull the caliper away from the rotor and secure it out
of the way (i placed mine behind the sway bar). Make sure you don't
stretch or damage the the soft brake lines.
At this point you will need to
place the jack under the lower front control arm and jacket it up
until you put just a little pressure on the control arm. Unbolt the
front sway bar link from the strut (see the picture below). The nut
is a 19mm and you will need the deep socket to reach it. Once it is
unbolted push it back and to the side.
Make sure the jack under the
control are is secure. You will now need to unbolt the strut bolts
(see picture below). You will need an 18mm socket. To get these out
all the way you may need to slowly let the jack down to release some
of the spring pressure. 
You can now unbolt the strut mount
bolts (see picture). These bolts are 13mm. If you have someone
around you might want them to lend a hand holding the strut. Do not
unbolt the larger strut mount bolt.
Place the strut spring assembly on
the ground and use a spring compressor to compress the slightly.
This will keep the strut mount bolt from shooting across the room
when unbolting it. Yes, I saw this happen before!!! Once the spring
is compressed you can unbolt the strut mount bolt. It is a 19mm.
Transfer the new spring over to
the strut. Place the strut mount on top of the spring. You will
notice that the strut, spring and strut mount will all line up only
one way. They interlock into each other. If you have a helper, one
person can put some force on top of the strut mount just enough to
turn the nut a few turns. If not you can use a spring compressor to
compress the spring enough to get the nut on. Tighten the nut all
the way down.
Before putting the strut-spring
assembly back in, make sure you line up the arrow on the top of the
strut mount with the wheel side of the strut. Make sure the arrow is
pointing away from the engine. If you notice on the the factory
strut there is a small hole in the spring perch that shows you which
way the arrow should point.
Once this is aligned just work in
steps 1-6 in reverse and you are done. Repeat on other side and then
you are done with the front!
Rear Springs: (the really easy part!)
Jack up both sides of the rear and
use jack stands to support the car.
Once the rear section is off the
ground, remove the wheels.
Place the jack under the sway bar
mount right below the shock. This can be seen in the picture below
step # 5. Jack up the jack until it slightly lifts the rear end.
Unbolt the sway bar mount seen the
picture below.
Unbolt the rear shock. Once it is
unbolted you can start to slowly let down the jack. 
Once the jack is lowered, you can
now remove the rear spring. Before removing look to notice the way
the spring isolators are installed. They may fall out when pulling
the spring out. The “hat” shaped one goes on the bottom.
Place the new spring in place
(with the isolators if they fall out). Repeat steps 3-5 in reverse.
Move to other side and your done!!
I found this on the web. It contains the torque specs for the front bolts when retightening them. It can be useful information.
You can find a full section of Mustang springs by clicking here!!!
