Cougar/XR7 V8-4.6L VIN W (1997)
1. Remove plastic front shock absorber strut cover cup at front shock absorber mounting bracket.
2. Remove three upper shock retaining nuts and shock absorber housing seal from mounting studs in engine compartment.
3. Raise vehicle on a hoist.
4. Remove tire and wheel assembly.
5. Remove lower shock mounting bolt and nut.
6. Remove nut at stabilizer bar link upper mounting stud.
7. Separate stabilizer bar link from front wheel spindle using Ball Joint Remover D88L-3006-A or equivalent.
CAUTION: Use extreme care to avoid damage to the ball joint seal. If seal is damaged, replace the stabilizer bar link assembly.
8. Support front suspension lower arm assembly with Hi-Lift Jack 014-00210 or equivalent.
9. Raise front suspension lower arm and front wheel spindle with jack until stabilizer bar link can be completely separated from front wheel spindle.
Position stabilizer bar link out of the way.
10. Remove front wheel spindle to upper front suspension arm ball joint retaining nut and bolt. Discard nut and bolt.
11. Lower jack to separate front wheel spindle from upper front suspension lower arm ball joint. Do not allow front wheel spindle to hang free.
Support it with wire or other means.
12. Lower support for front suspension lower arm and remove front shock absorber mount and spring assembly from vehicle.