Question about alignment and Strut bolt Orientation

[Tim McCreary]

I recently installed OEM new struts and Strut mounting bolts and took my car for an alignment. They could not bring the front camber into spec. They said there was “no adjustment” on the two bottom bolts to allow any more camber change. The top plate is labeled FR3C-3K155-BC that cross references to the PP 1” lowered car. (FR3Z-3A197-B or AD1117 part number.

This is a 2015 EB Premium Performance Pack car with Ford Performance springs (supposed to be the same ride height as the PP, but slightly stiffer.)

1. Does it matter which direction the splined bolts install in the lower strut mount? Can they be backwards causing the lack of adjustment?

2. The motor was rebuilt by Ford just prior to this. The steering wheel seemed a little tilted afterward. After the alignment, it still is a little tilted. Does Ford always remove the subframe to remove the motor? If so, could the subframe be shifted slightly when reinstalled making the alignment off?

3. I had to drop the rear frame to install the Ford Performance rear springs. The rear is in alignment. But could that shift the front alignment out of the adjustment range?

Any help is appreciated.

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[NightmareMoon]

Yes the splined bolts only go one way (nut on the rear, splined bit in front), but there is no adjustment at those bolts with factory style shocks. You can get some “camber bolts” to replace them which allow a little adjustment or commit to camber plates which are way better but slightly more involved to install (but much easier to adjust)

Yes the engine tilts back a bit, always has, and its normal.

Im not sure the EB PP is actually any lower? Someone else may know for sure but that doesn’t sound right to me.

 

[Tim McCreary]

Yes the splined bolts only go one way (nut on the rear, splined bit in front), but there is no adjustment at those bolts with factory style shocks. You can get some “camber bolts” to replace them which allow a little adjustment or commit to camber plates which are way better but slightly more involved to install (but much easier to adjust)

Yes the engine tilts back a bit, always has, and its normal.

Im not sure the EB PP is actually any lower? Someone else may know for sure but that doesn’t sound right to me.

Thanks for the info. I came to the same conclusion with the bolts. I installed them backwards so I could get an impact on them without removing the 6 piston Brembo calipers. I looked at my old bolts and struts and they were snug both directions, so I think they don’t matter here. The holes in the spindle have minimal slop so negligible adjustment there.

The tilt I am referring to is the steering wheel, not the engine. The steering wheel was level before the engine service and was turned slightly to the left after service. If they remove the subframe, it could have been bolted slightly off. I am wondering if it is off “too much” and causing an issue?

I do know for a fact that the EB PP and GT PP have 1” lower springs from the factory. I know everyone said they are the same, but they are not. They are interchangeable but they have different spring rates and shock valving.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Oh gotcha. No idea about the engine removal and subframe but that sounds likely.

Welllll, I own a GTPP and ya same height as the rest, its not 1” lower, thats bad info. Yes the spring rates are different but not the ride height. PP2 may have been a different story (mostly due to it’s shorter tires). Ford very rarely changes the ride height variable, even when chaning other things. For one thing, a factory drop that big would require control arm geometry changes, which they would rather avoid.

 

[Dana Pants]

The subframe can be easily shifted a few mm. It’s unclear to me if it will fix your camber. I did this to try to balance camber for racing and it was a measurable but small improvement.

 

[Tim McCreary]

Oh gotcha. No idea about the engine removal and subframe but that sounds likely.

Welllll, I own a GTPP and ya same height as the rest, its not 1” lower, thats bad info. Yes the spring rates are different but not the ride height. PP2 may have been a different story (mostly due to it’s shorter tires). Ford very rarely changes the ride height variable, even when chaning other things. For one thing, a factory drop that big would require control arm geometry changes, which they would rather avoid.

I stand corrected and thank you! I thought that I read the PP was Identical to the M-5300-XA springs which are 1” drop when people ordered the
2015-2019 MUSTANG TRACK HANDLING PACK M-FR3A-MAA* Everything BUT the spring is identical.

It actually said:
NOTE: Any Mustang that originally came equipped with the Performance Pack option only needs
the M-5300-X Street Lowering Springs to achieve the lowered ride height.

 

[boB]

The service manual shows how to get some camber adjustment by grinding/filing the bolt holes a little longer in the right direction. A little on each bolt hole should get you in spec.

 

[Tim McCreary]

Thank you. I did go to Ford and bought the service strut-to-spindle bolts.
For those who are looking, they are part# *W715295*S439 and list for $2.29 each currently (11/2022). I just used one on the top only for a little adjustment. If more was needed, I would replace the bottom one and/or drill out the strut hole slightly.

Also, the alignment shop used the wrong model. They aligned for a standard model. The PP model has different alignment specs.

Took the car back in this morning and it is aligned correctly now.

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