installation!instructions s197mustang!watts!link!system!...

Sonoma, CA • Boise, ID • 83704 • p: 415.489.0866

© CorteX Precision Technology 2009-‐2016 All Rights Reserved v5 of 14

Installation Instructions S197 Mustang Watts Link System

Bolt-‐In Type

2005-‐2014 Mustang Shelby/Boss/GT (8.8 inch Rear End)

Including Convertible*

Congratulations on your purchase of a CorteX Xtreme-‐Grip Suspension System. Through professional engineering and extensive testing both on the street and race tracks such as Sonoma, Thunder Hill, and Laguna Seca with record setting cars, we’ve created a system that delivers unsurpassed handling with minimal modification to your Mustang. We wish you much success! While the Xtreme-‐Grip Watts link system is designed to be minimally invasive, due to the technical nature and specialized equipment required, professional installation is recommended. Go to www.CorteXracing.com for a list of approved installers. CorteX engineers suspension systems designed for ease of installation, however we do not guarantee proper installation by shops other than our own. If you choose to attempt installation of the system yourself, please carefully review these instructions to determine whether you have the tools and experience necessary before beginning disassembly. A factory Ford service manual should also be consulted for disassembly/reassembly details and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) bolt torque specifications. For technical assistance or questions please call CorteX Precision Technology at 415.489.0866

* Convertibles can utilize the watts link although it may not be possible to use all the watts link adjustment positions and still clear the OEM trunk bracing. Clearance will depend on which rear shocks are used and how much droop travel the shocks allow.


Contents

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link Installation Instructions ........................................................................................ 4

APPENDICES -‐ Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link Exploded View ......................................................................... 14


CAUTION: Installation of the Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link systems requires working under your Mustang. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure a safe working environment. The use of an automotive lift is recommended, though installation is possible with use of floor jacks. In either case, always ensure that the vehicle is safely supported with multiple jack stands, and always wear appropriate safety gear and safety glasses.

Getting Started

TECHNICAL NOTE: When installing full suspension kit, installation should always be performed beginning with the rear suspension followed by the front suspension.

1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. If welding is to be performed also disconnect the PCM connections.

2. Place vehicle on chassis lift. If a lift is unavailable then raise vehicle with floor jacks and support

unibody at lifting points specified in the Ford service manual.

3. Remove the rear wheels.

4. With the rear suspension in full droop, position two jack stands under the rear axle with one at

each axle tube just inboard of the cast iron center section.

Figure 1: Supporting the Rear End Housing.


Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link Installation Instructions

1. Read the “Getting Started” Instruction Section and complete tasks 1-‐4. 2. Have the following on hand before you begin:

a. 4 quarts of appropriate gear oil b. Friction modifier if you have the OEM clutch type differential c. Permatex ® Ultra Grey High Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker Can (85084) d. Permatex® High Temperature Thread Sealant (59214) for NPT threads

3. Familiarize yourself with the diagram in Appendix A.

4. Remove OEM rear anti-‐roll bar.

Figure 2: Anti Roll Bar Being Removed.

5. Remove Panhard bar from vehicle. If you are using lower control arm relocation brackets that rely on the panhard bar axle bolt for mounting you must install a shorter bolt to re-‐attach the upper axle mounting point. This bolt is included with our Lower Control Arm System, CLCA-‐40-‐1000/S, however if you are not installing this system you must source your own hardware.

6. Remove body diagonal brace (above axle).


Figure 3: Panhard Bar Diagonal Brace Removal.

7. Using the OEM diagonal brace bolts, install the watts tower bracket and the support bracket (Item 20, APPENDIX A) to the driver side frame rail in the location of the original brace bolt holes. The M10 OEM bolts pass through both the watts tower and support bracket (Item 20, 30). Also insert the M12 stabilizer bar bolt through the frame mounting bracket and support bracket to ensure later alignment.

Figure 4: Initial Fitment of Drive Side Watts Tower.

8. With the driver side bracket is installed, move to the passenger side. Install the passenger side bracket (Item 8)

into the OEM panhard bar frame mount shown in Figure 5. The bracket attaches to the panhard bar and brace mounting holes. The bottom bolt (originally the panhard bolt hole) also attaches the diagonal brace so be sure to slide the bolt through the brace first. With the bolt started, but not tightened, the brace can hang in the vertical position until it is time to attach the opposite end to the watts tower. Leave all bolts loose until all hardware is in place. Torqueing all fasteners will be done at the very end.


Figure 5: Passenger-‐side Watts Bracket.

9. Adjust the depth of the rod end on the driver side of the diagonal brace so that the ½-‐20 bolt slides through the

brace and the watts tower with minimal resistance. Snug, but do not torque both diagonal brace bolts. Once all these items fit correctly, go back and tighten the two OEM watts tower bolts to the specified torque of 46 ft-‐lb.

Figure 6: Watts Tower Installed.


10. As an optional step, the watts tower can be welded to the frame driver frame rail. Welding is recommended but

not necessary since it creates a more rigid, maintenance-‐free connection. Competition vehicles that do not plan to switch back to the OEM panhard bar should consider this option. If welding will be performed ensure the PCM connections are unplugged before beginning to protect the vehicle electronics from possible damage.

Figure 7: Creating a Welding Ground Connection (Optional).

11. If performed, the welds should be 3/16-‐inch lap welds at least 1 inch long positioned on three sides of the bracket frame plate ideally at the plate edges across from the two M10 bolts. Figure 8 shows an example of the procedure.

Figure 8: Welding of Watts Tower (Optional).

12. Place an oil catch pan underneath the differential, remove the OEM differential cover from the rear end housing. Drain all of the oil and extract any leftover oil from the bottom of the housing so that it stops oozing and the sealing surface can be cleaned complete. Clean the rear end sealing surface thoroughly so it is free of


any debris or grease. We suggest the sealing surface be prepped with brake cleaner as a final step before applying sealant.

Figure 9: Cleaned and Prepped Sealing Rear End Surface.

13. Remove the CorteX rear end girdle cover from the box and find the supplementary instructions included. Familiarize yourself with these instructions. Except for the drain plug, which has an o-‐ring, remove all thread-‐in plugs from the cover and apply a high quality, thread sealant to each and re-‐install back into the cover.

14. Ensure the inside of the girdle cover is clean of all debris. We suggest using an aerosol solvent such as brake cleaner followed by blowing out the inside of the girdle cover with a high-‐pressure air nozzle. Always use safety glasses and point the nozzle away from you.

15. Carefully apply a thin layer of high temperature RTV sealant to the sealing surface of the cover. Note: A rear end cover gasket will not be used. (See Figure 10).

Figure 10: Applying Sealant to Differential Cover.


16. Place the girdle cover on the rear end housing following the instructions included in girdle cover box. Ensure all

the bolts are torqued to 25 ft-‐lb (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Torque Rear End Girdle Cover Bolts to 25 ft-‐lb.

17. Vehicles with differential coolers can now be plumbed appropriately using the pickup and return ports available in the differential cover.

18. The rear axle requires ventilation. We recommend the breather line be plumbed to the available tapped hole in

the top of the axle tube. Remove the OEM plug and install a -‐4 AN O-‐ring fitting and plumb the fitting to a catch tank located as high above the axle as possible. This is critical if no differential cooler is used.

19. Wait the suggested cure time (per sealant manufacturer’s directions before adding any gear lube to ensure consistent sealing. After fully cured, fill the differential with high quality gear oil that meets the manufacturer’s requirements. To determine the amount of gear oil to add remove the factory fill plug located near the pinion shown in Figure 12, on the forward facing portion of the cast iron differential housing. Vehicles equipped with a clutch-‐style locking differential will require a gear oil friction modifier available at Ford dealerships for proper limited slip function. Make sure to add this first in the filling process to ensure enough is added. The watts differential has a larger capacity than the factory cover and holds approximately 3.25 quarts of fluid. More fluid will be needed if a differential cooler is being used.


Figure 12: Factory Fill Plug for Correct Gear Oil Level.

20. Assemble the watts pivot assembly as shown in Figure 13. At final assembly apply grease to the steel pivot

sleeve that inserts into the Delrin bushings shown in Figure 14. We recommend starting with the watts pivot in one of the two middle holes. Please consult the Tech Section of our website for handling tips. http://www.cortexracing.com/vehicle-‐balance/

Figure 13: Watts Pivot Assembly Exploded View.


Figure 14: Grease pivot sleeve before insertion.

21. Apply anti-‐seize to all bolts and then install the watts pivot assembly onto the girdle cover. Torque the 5/8” center bolt to 100 ft-‐lb and the two 5/16 bolts to 18-‐20 ft-‐lb using a high quality, calibrated torque wrench. Do not over tighten the fasteners, as damage to the girdle cover will result.

22. At this time adjust the two differential cover girdle bolts using the directions included in the differential cover

box. Do not over tighten the load bolts. We recommend placing a small amount of RTV sealant under the load bolt jam nuts. Weeping of differential fluid past the load bolt threads can occur if this is not done.


Figure 15: Install Watts Pivot onto Girdle Cover.

23. Beginning with the watts links (Items 21) at the lengths delivered; install them into the vehicle with the driver

side attaching to the top watts pivot hole. At the same time re-‐install the diagonal brace. The passenger side watts link attaches to the bottom watts pivot hole. Torque the ½-‐20 outboard bolts to 80 ft-‐lb and the 5/8-‐11 bolts at the pivot to 100 ft-‐lb. Torque the passenger side ½-‐20 diagonal brace bolt also to 80 ft-‐lb.

24. Using a tape measure determine if the rear end housing is centered in the vehicle. This is best done by choosing a reference point that is common on both sides and measuring to the brake rotor. However, if the brake rotors are used as a reference point make sure to fully install 2 lug nuts to the wheel studs on each side to ensure the brake rotor is flush with the axle hub before measuring. Adjust the watts links as necessary to center the axle to within 1/16”. Confirm the axle is centered at ride height.


Figure 16: Axle Centering Dimension Reference.

25. If you are not installing Xtreme-‐Grip Lower Control Arms and Brackets or Rear Coil Over System re-‐install the rear anti roll bar at this time in the reverse order it was removed. The driver side M12 frame attachment bolt will now also pass through the watts tower stabilizer bracket.

26. If you have Ford Racing or another manufacturer’s rear axle control arm drop brackets that utilize the panhard bar bolt for attachment ensure to replace the bolt with a shorter bolt that is suitable for the application

The Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link System is now installed and should look like Figure 17.

Figure 17: Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link Installed.


APPENDICES -‐ Xtreme-‐Grip Watts Link Exploded View

Notes:

1. Assemble all components on vehicle before performing final torque of any fasteners. 2. Install rear end differential cover using Ultra Grey High Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker Can (#85084). Do not use a gasket. 3. Make sure to apply thread sealant to any fittings and to remaining plugs in the differential cover.

installation!instructions s197mustang!watts!link!system!...

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