Q: How to service and repair the spindle on a four-door on Mercury Sable?
A: The first step to fix the spindle of a four-door vehicle requires removing its hub cap or wheel cover. Obtain the measurement between the hub center and fender lip at vehicle level position. The maintenance process starts with removing the wheel hub with bearing and then unfastening the brake hose by dissolving the bolt and additionally removing the anti-lock brake sensor bolt if present. Support the brake backing plate with mechanic's wire to stop harm to the brake hose from occurring. Start by discarding the bolts with nuts and flag bolts then uninstall the nut while removing the washer and bushing before extracting the rear wheel spindle with help from a large screwdriver. First place the wheel spindle into position before putting in the new pinch bolt while leaving it loose. Place the cupped washer opposite of the bushing when inserting the trackbar arm and install the bushing together with washer and new nut but do not tighten the nut at this time. Install the lower control arms before mounting the new flag bolts as well as new washers and nuts but avoid tightening them at this time. You should engage a jack stand for lifting the suspension until the hub center measures the same height as the fender lip did before measurements. Afterward, tighten all nuts followed by the bolt. First adjust the suspension height and take away the jack stand before installing new gaskets then placing rear backing plates with fresh bolts. Clean the ABS sensor mounting hole from debris so false activation does not occur and place the brake anti-lock sensor and install its bolt. To finish the procedure install the wheel hub before checking the wheel alignment and adjusting it if needed.
Q: How to service and repair the spindle on Mercury Cougar?
A: The service operation starts with removing the hub. Owners should detach the ABS sensor and remove its wiring retaining clip during brake service when anti-lock brakes are present in the vehicle. The procedure to detach the backing plate starts with clamping and separating the brake tube union followed by backing plate disconnect before securing one side of the backing plate while preventing the parking brake cable's damage. The backing plate seal should be carefully separated next. Drivers should take off the splash shield when working on vehicles that have rear disc brakes. All vehicles require a stabilizer bar link and bushing removal from the front arm before proceeding to detach the tie-bar and disconnect the front lateral arm and then separate the rear arm from the wheel spindle. First step is to remove the wheel spindle to strut and spring assembly pinch bolt before removing the wheel spindle. After placing the wheel spindle correctly on the strut and spring assembly it needs to be fixed in position. Proceed with installing the rear arm first followed by the front arm and then the tie-bar to the wheel spindle and then connect the stabilizer bar link along with its bushing to the front arm. Install the splash shield when rear disc brakes exist but follow it with backing plate seal and backing plate installation when vehicles possess rear drum brakes. Bleeding the brake system begins after you connect the brake tube and its brake tube union followed by brake hose clamp removal. To complete the installation process install the hub and then add the ABS sensor and wiring cables with proper attachment of the clip and ABS sensor.