How to Install Air Lift Performance Suspension Kit - Front (15-17 All) on your Ford Mustang

PREPARING THE VEHICLE
1.    Elevate and support the vehicle using its approved lifting points.
2.    Remove the front wheel and support the hub assembly (Fig. 2).

REMOVAL OF STOCK SUSPENSION
1.    Unclip the sensor wire from the two attaching points on the strut (Figs. 3 and 4).

2.    Unthread the stabilizer bar end link nuts from the strut and bar. Remove the end link (Figs. 5-7).

3.    Unbolt the brake caliper. Remove the brake caliper and brake rotor. Secure the brake caliper out of the way while preventing strain on the brake line (Figs. 8 and 9).

NOTE: The lower strut attaching bolts have a splined section that bites into the knuckle. Because of this, the brake caliper and rotor will need to be removed in order to push the bolts out.

4.    Remove the two lower strut nuts and use a hammer to remove the bolts, while taking care not to damage the threads (Fig. 10). Support the knuckle to prevent damage to the lower ball joint.

5.    Within the engine compartment, unthread the three upper mount nuts and remove the strut from the vehicle (Fig. 11).

1. Begin by installing the leader hose into the air spring. Apply thread sealant to the threads of the leader hose. Tighten the appropriate fitting to the air line (1 3/4 turns beyond handtight). Tighten the leader hose into the air spring 1 3/4 turns beyond hand-tight (Fig. 12).

2. Attach the camber plate to the strut tower and torque nuts to 41 Nm (30 lb.-ft.) (Fig. 13).
3.    Reinstall the lower mount bolts through the knuckle with the bolt heads toward the
front of the vehicle (Figs. 14 and 15). A hammer may be required to push the bolts
through the knuckle. Torque to 250 Nm (184 lb.-ft.).

4.    Reinstall the brake rotor and brake caliper. Torque fixed brake caliper bolts to 115 Nm (85 lb.-ft.). For sliding calipers (not shown), torque the guide pin bolts to 33 Nm (24 lb.-ft.) (Figs. 16 and 17).

5.    Install the new stabilizer end link. Torque nuts to 103 Nm (76 lb.-ft.) (Figs. 18 and 19).

1.    Fully compress the suspension using a jack. With the suspension compressed,
review the best routing for the leader hose that is clear of all suspension and steering
components.
2.    Routing should allow for the suspension to extend and steer without kinking, pulling
the line tight or rubbing on other components. Following the brake line routing is
often a good place to start. Check clearances to all other components.

SETTING THE RIDE HEIGHT
1.    With the suspension fully compressed, take a measurement from the fender to a
chosen reference point – typically the center of the axle. Record this measurement as
max compression (MC).
2.    Cycle the suspension to max extension (ME) and record the measurement from the
fender to the same reference point.
3.    Add ME and MC, then divide the total by 2. Set the suspension to this point. This
position will give 50% stroke in either direction and is a starting point for ride height
(fig. 20).

4.    With the suspension at this position, loosen, then re-torque all suspension bushing
pivot joint fasteners to the manufacturer’s specifications (Table 1):

1.    Inflate and deflate the system (do not exceed 125 PSI) to check for clearance or
binding issues. With the air springs deflated, check clearances on everything so as
not to pinch brake lines, vent tubes, etc. Clear lines if necessary.
2.    Inflate the air springs to 75-90 PSI and check all connections for leaks.

CAUTION: MAKE SURE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE STRAIGHT WHEN DEFLATING AND REINFLATING AIR BAGS.

DAMPING ADJUSTMENT

Suspension damping is a matter of compromise. Setting it too stiff will make the ride feel jarring. In addition, if the suspension is too stiff, the tires will lose contact with the road, reducing control and power delivery. On the other hand, if the suspension is too soft, the car can experience brake dive and excessive bouncing. The sweet spot lies somewhere in the middle. Air Lift dampers have a range of adjustment, which allows the driver to tune the ride and handling to his or her preferences.

Air Lift recommends damper and air pressure settings for every vehicle kit, but it is impossible to consider every situation. For example, even though Air Lift kits replace the dampers and springs, vehicles with sport-tuned suspensions might have stiffer bushings, larger anti-roll bars, bigger wheels, wider tires, etc. These settings may need to be adjusted to different vehicles and driving characteristics.

1.    The dampers in this kit have 30 settings, or “clicks,” of adjustable compression and
rebound damping characteristics. Damping is changed through the damper rod using
the supplied adjuster (Figs. 21 & 22) or an 3mm hex key (not included).
2.    Turn the adjuster clockwise (H) and the damping settings are hardened, reducing
oscillations and body motion. Turn the adjuster counterclockwise (S) and the
damping is softened.
3.    Each damper in this kit is preset to “-17 clicks.” This means that the damper is
adjusted 17 clicks away from full stiff, which starts at 0. Counting up from full stiff
is the preferred method of keeping track of, or setting, damping. This setting was
developed on a 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost.

1.    Set the vehicle to the height at which it will most often be driven.
2.    If the ride height is lower than stock, Air Lift recommends loosening all pivot points
(bolts, nuts) on any control arm, strut arm or radius rod that contains bushings. Once
they have been loosened, re-torque to stock specifications (Table 1).

NOTE: It may be necessary to cycle the suspension to loosen the bushing from its mount. This will help re-orient the bushing at its new position based on the chosen ride height.

3.    Get a shop alignment of the vehicle at the new chosen ride height.

These dampers have been pre-set at the factory to provide maximum drop height while maintaining adequate tire clearance to the air spring. If you wish to gain more extended height (lift), which is the same as reducing drop height, or want to lower the chassis further and there is still adjustment available at the lower mount, please use the following procedure:

1.    Support the vehicle with jack stands or a hoist at approved lifting points.
2.    Remove the wheel.
3.    Using the supplied spanner wrench, loosen the locking collar (Fig. 23).

4.    Deflate the air spring to 0 PSI on the corner you are adjusting.
5.    Disconnect lower mount from suspension.
6.    Spin the lower mount to the desired location.

NOTE: Not all vehicles will have further drop height available.

7.    Re-install lower mount to suspension and torque fasteners.
8.    Tighten the lower locking collar to the lower mount using significant force.

CAUTION: WHEN ADJUSTING HEIGHT UPWARD, MAKE SURE THAT THE DAMPER BODY ENGAGES ALL THE THREADS OF THE LOWER MOUNT (FIG. 24). WHEN ADJUSTING DOWNWARD, MAKE SURE THERE IS ADEQUATE AIR SPRING CLEARANCE TO THE TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY. CLEARANCE MUST BE CHECKED WITH SYSTEM FULLY DEFLATED AS WELL AS FULLY INFLATED TO ENSURE THAT NO RUBBING OCCURS. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN RESULT IN AIR SPRING FAILURE AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

CAUTION: DO NOT ADJUST HEIGHT BY SPINNING AIR SPRING ON DAMPER! DOING SO MAY CAUSE AN AIR LEAK AND COMPROMISE THE ASSEMBLY.

 Clearance — Inflate the air springs to 75-90 PSI and make sure there is at least 1/2”
clearance from anything that might rub against the air spring. This should be checked
with the air spring fully inflated and fully deflated.
 Leak — Inflate the air springs to 75-90 PSI and check all connections for leaks. All
leaks must be eliminated before the vehicle is road tested.
 Heat — Be sure there is sufficient clearance from heat sources, at least 6” for air
springs and air lines. If a heat shield was included in the kit, install it. If there is no
heat shield, but one is required, call Air Lift customer service at (800) 248-0892.
 Fastener — Recheck all bolts for proper torque.
 Road — Inflate the springs to recommended driving pressures. Drive the vehicle 10
miles and recheck for clearance, loose fasteners and air leaks.
 Operating instructions — If professionally installed, the installer should review
the operating instructions with the owner. Be sure to provide the owner with all
paperwork that came with the kit.

 Overnight leak down test — Recheck air pressure 24 hours after installation and
driving of the vehicle. If the pressure has dropped more than 5 PSI, there is a leak
that must be fixed.
 Air pressure requirements — It is important to understand the air pressure
requirements of the air spring system. Regardless of load, the air pressure should
always be adjusted to maintain adequate ride height at all times while driving.
 Thirty-day or 500-mile test —Recheck the air spring system after 30 days or 500
miles, whichever comes first. If any part shows signs of rubbing or abrasion, the
source should be identified and moved, if possible. If it is not possible to relocate
the cause of the abrasion, the air spring may need to be remounted. If professionally
installed, the installer should be consulted. Check all fasteners for tightness.

1.    An Air Lift air management system is strongly recommended for this product, but it
is possible to operate without one. The air lines can be routed to Schrader valves for
use with a separate air compressor. Air lines and Schrader valves are not included
with Air Lift Performance kits and would need to be purchased separately. To learn
more about Air Lift management systems visit air-lift.co/productlines.
2.    Check the air pressure before driving.

WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, MAKE SURE TO TURN OFF “RISE ON START” AND “PRESET MAINTAIN.” THIS WILL ELIMINATE ANY UNINTENDED SUSPENSION CYCLING IF YOU NEED TO TURN THE KEY ON IN THE VEHICLE FOR ANY REASON.

TUNING THE AIR PRESSURE.

Pressure determination comes down to three things — level vehicle, ride comfort and stability.

1.    Level vehicle
Depending on load, it is possible one side will need more pressure than the other to
level the vehicle.

2.    Ride comfort
If the vehicle has a harsh ride, it may be due to either too much pressure or not
enough causing frequent bottoming. Also, riding the vehicle at the top, or close
to the top of the available stroke will cause an uncomfortable ride due to a lack of
rebound travel. This situation should be avoided for driving any significant distance.
Try different pressures to determine the best ride comfort. See the Air Lift suggested
driving air pressure for this vehicle (Table 2).

3.    Stability
Stability translates into safety and should be the priority, meaning the driver may
need to sacrifice a perfectly level and comfortable ride. Stability issues include roll
control, bounce, dive during braking and sponginess. Tuning out these problems
usually requires additional air pressure, damping or both.

When cutting air lines, use a sharp knife or a hose cutter and make clean, square cuts (Fig. 25). Do not use scissors or wire cutters because these tools will deform the air line, causing it to leak around fittings. Do not cut the lines at an angle.

Do not bend the 1/4” hose at a radius of less than 1” and do not put side load pressure on fitting. The hose should be straight beyond the fitting for 1” before bending.

Inspect hose for scratches that run lengthwise on hose prior to installation. Contact Air Lift customer service at (800) 248-0892 if the air line is damaged.

1.    Inflate the air spring to at least 80 PSI.
2. Spray all connections with a solution of 1/5 liquid dish soap and 4/5 water. Spot leaks
easily by looking for bubbles in the soapy water.
3.    Check the air pressure again after 24 hours. A 2-4 PSI loss after initial installation is normal. Retest for leaks if the loss is more than 5 PSI.

1.    Air line to PTC fitting: Try pushing the air line firmly into the fitting to ensure it is
properly seated. If leak persists, deflate the spring and remove the air line by pushing
the collar toward the fitting body and pulling firmly on the air line. Trim 1” off the end
of the air line making sure the cut is clean and square. Reinsert air line firmly into
fitting and pull back on the air line to make sure it is seated.
2.    Threaded connection: If possible, tighten the fitting another half turn. If the leak
persists, deflate spring, remove fitting and re-coat threads with thread sealant. Reinstall
to hand tight and then use wrench to finish tightening an additional 1 3/4 turns.
3.    Air spring O-ring seal: If a leak is found at the upper or lower air spring seal on a
strut or shock, contact Air Lift customer service at (800) 248-0892.