Supplement # 1 - Attachment III

Front Suspension Modification

AFFECTED VEHICLES:
1993 TAURUS/SABLE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1,1992 THROUGH JULY 31,1993

NOTE:
IF ONE OR BOTH FRONT SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AS OUTLINED IN PROGRAM 98M02.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

2. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.

CAUTION:
To avoid damage to the boot seal during the removal of the ball stud nut:

^ Do not use power tools.

^ Do not allow the strut ball stud to rotate (use hex portion of stud to prevent it from rotating).





3. Using hand tools, remove the stabilizer bar link from the strut (see CAUTION above). Replace the link if it was damaged during removal. See Figure 1.





4. Position the strut shield as shown, with the mounting tabs behind the strut bracket.

5. Install the stabilizer bar link. Tighten the nut to 77-103 Nm (57-75 lb-ft).

6. Install the supplied retaining bolt through the strut shield mounting tabs and strut bracket. Install the bolt from inside. Tighten the nut to 77-103 Nm (57-75 lb-ft).

7. If a new stabilizer bar link was installed1 tighten the lower retainer to 47-63 Nm (35-46 lb-ft).





8. Note:
On certain vehicles, the strut shield may contact the plastic splash shield under full or near full jounce conditions. Splash shields that are affected will have an L-shaped "ear" that is on the forward vertical portion near the spring. See Figure 3. If present, this "ear" along with a slightly smaller protrusion on the rearward side must be trimmed.

Inspect the front fender inner splash shields (right and left sides) for above condition. If the "ear" is not present, proceed to the next numbered step. If the "ear" is present, cut this excess material as outlined below.

^ Using a utility knife, trim the L-shaped "ear" flush with the strut tower sheet metal approximately 12 mm (1/2 inch) wide at the bottom and 150 mm (6 inches) vertically. Also, trim the rearward side protrusion flush with the strut tower. See Figure 3.

9. Repeat the procedure on the other front spring.

10. Install both front wheel and tire assemblies.

11. Lower the vehicle.