Half of the front suspension is out

Well, for once we are getting a tax refund.  So to celebrate I am replacing the brakes on the mustang with power disc brakes at all four wheels.  While I have it mostly apart, I thought this would be a good time to upgrade the springs and some other suspension components.  So this weekend I did some exploratory surgery.

The driver's side front suspension is now completely out.  Here are some before and after pictures.

Above is where I started, with a well worn stock suspension and sucky manual drum brakes.  You can see in this picture that I have already replaced the brake lines.

 Notice here the almost non-existent sway bar link.  Typical of what this car has in it....

 ...and this is what it looks like now.  See all the dirt on the floor?  That is what fell out while I was working on it, plus just a little bit of scraping with a paint scraper.  I suspect that this car has gained a couple hundred pounds since it was new from all of the dirt accumulation.  It is nasty.

The lower ball joint is toast, but it is riveted on to the lower arm so the entire arm will be replaced.  The upper arm is actually in good shape.  Change the bushings and ball joint, clean it up and powder coat it, and it will be ready to go back in. 

If I am going to do a Shelby drop on this car, now is the time.  I am doing some research on exactly how to do this on a 1971 Mach 1.  I have lots of clear guidance for 1970 and earlier Mustangs, but lots of contradictory information on 1971-1973 Mustangs.  I'll report back on what my decision is hopefully later this week.  Here is a close=up shot of the UCA mount holes.  It looks like there is room to drop them, but there is a small recess on either side that the UCA sweeps through.  As long as there is no interference in these recesses a Shelby drop should be possible.  Will it be beneficial?  Dunno. Yet.

The passenger side will come out over the next evening or two.  I expect the same results with it.

Thanks for reading, more to follow shortly!  :-)