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Project Automatic Weapon Part III: S197 Mustang Suspension Install



Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Positioning The Rear Panhard Bar
Joe starts to put the Steeda Panhard bar into position. Use the rubber hammer on the passenger side-it's a nice, tight fit.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Removing The Stock Sway Bar
The next order of business is dropping the stock sway bar. Leave that piece in until the Panhard bar is in place. Monitor ride height and wheel location throughout this process. The sway bar is a quick swap.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Billet Sway Bar Attachments
Joey begins by adding the billet Steeda sway-bar attachments.
Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Installing The Steeda Sway Bar
Then he installs the Steeda sway bar. They're all top-quality materials and fabrication throughout.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Steeda Springs
Steeda is known for its excellent performance spring kits that will lower the car safely. This helps increase handling on the street or road course, as well as increase aerodynamics on the dragstrip. Plus, it just looks cool to have a dropped ride.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Installing The Spring
Here, Joey has already pulled the stock spring, and he's well on his way to having the Steeda lowering spring put into position. You can put in the springs first, but Joey wanted to make sure the stock ride height and stock measurements didn't throw off the Panhard bar installation.
Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Stock Three Link
Here's a look at the stock three-link, which is one of the major upgrades on the S197 Mustangs.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Removing The Stock Three Link Upper
The guys at Paul's Automotive Engineering go to work getting out the stock three-link upper. Yes, you have to take the central bolt out through the interior.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Steeda Three Link
Here's the comparison shot of the stock and Steeda three-link uppers. As you can see, the Steeda piece is stronger, comes with a better bushing, and offers adjustability.
Project Automatic Weapon Suspension BMR Mounting Plate
Paul's Automotive Engineering had a second car in the shop that had the Steeda three-link installed with a BMR mounting plate. With the rearend out of the car, it gives you a good idea of what the final installation should look like.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Rearend Housing Bushing
While we were upgrading the rearend, we also installed the nice Steeda upper rearend housing spherical bushing. This is a must-have piece if you plan to drive your Mustang in anger. It offers an uncompromised link from the car to the rear suspension. The installation is somewhat challenging, as the stock bushing is an integral part of the car that Ford designed to last a lifetime without coming out. Think air chisel.		 Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Rear Suspension All Done
After a day's work at Paul's Automotive Engineering, our rear suspension looked like this. With all of the Steeda hardware onboard, we can't wait to get this car back on the street and out to the strip. It should be a whole new car-especially with what we've got planned under the hood. Stay tuned...
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Related Photos

Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Car Goes Under The Knife For A Complete Suspension Build Project Automatic Weapon Suspension A Arms Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Stock Hub Is Reused
Project Automatic Weapon Suspension K Member Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Joe Removes Front Hub From The Strut Project Automatic Weapon Suspension Stock Strut With AJE Strut

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