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Rear Suspension
Stock Mustang upper and lower control arms are known for their lackluster performance. The combination of a weak three-walled design and rubber bushings leads to wheelhop, axle sway, and other traction problems that compound as power levels are increased.

In this series we'll show you how to install the Energy Suspension control arm bushings for an immediate improvement in read-end stability and traction. While the polyurethane bushings alone will make a huge improvement; but also boxing the arms (welding a plate along the open end) results in an extremely strong set of control arms, for a fraction of the cost of aftermarket arms. Refer to our article on How to Box your Control Arms in the Tech Department for details.

Removal of the rear upper and lower control arms is achieved with some instruction from a shop manual.		  
The upper control arm mounts to the differential case. A three jaw puller can be used to force out the sleeve and break the bond between bushing and shell.
     

The stock bushings are bonded to the sleeve making them very tough to remove. A couple techniques can be used. Shown is a three jaw puller used in reverse, so the threaded rod is forcing the bushing sleeve outward. 		 
Another effective technique is to use a drill to pummel the old bushing full of holes. This breaks down the rubber and eventually the bushing crumbles out.
     

Knock the sleeve out using a mallet and punch or socket extension. Clean the sleeve out thoroughly.		  
Lightly coat the new bushing with the supplied Formula 5 prelube, and push it into place.
     

Be sure to use the supplied polyurethane thrust washer on the non-flanged side of the bushing.
 
The completed control arm (upper shown) is ready to re-install.


 
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