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  2. Instructions

How To Modify S197 Shock Mounts for Aftermarket Shocks

This instruction gallery explains how to modify the OEM rear upper shock mounts on a 2005-14 "S197" Mustang to work with aftermarket adjustable shocks like AST, MCS, or others that use a 12mm upper pin mount. The OEM shock has a 10mm upper pin mount and a 2-piece rubber bushing, but with care you can modify these to work with 12mm shaft adjustable shocks.
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The lower bushing (shown) and washer can slide off the old shock shaft. The lower rubber portion has a long "male" section that slides inside a matching "female" bushing on top.
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The lower bushing (shown) and washer can slide off the old shock shaft. The lower rubber portion has a long "male" section that slides inside a matching "female" bushing on top.

  • This is what the OEM rear upper shock mount looks like installed in an S197 Mustang. The silver curve top washer has an integral nut and the washer is bonded to the rubber bushing.
  • The lower bushing (shown) and washer can slide off the old shock shaft. The lower rubber portion has a long "male" section that slides inside a matching "female" bushing on top.
  • This is the upper rubber bushing/washer/nut. The bushing needs to be separated from the upper washer/nut plate. First step is to capture this in a vice as shown.
  • Carefully cut the bonded upper bushing away from the upper washer/nut plate.
  • You will have to hold the bushing/washer in the vice tightly and use a long knife like this box cutter to cut the bushing away. Rotate it a few times in the vice to get to the entire area that is bonded.
  • Here you can see the upper washer/nut plate (which can be discarded) and the bushing that was bonded to it. Those black marks at the left were areas that were cut away.
  • You will need to provide a new upper bushing retaining washer with a 12mm hole to fit the 12mm shaft stem of a typical MCS, AST or Koni rear shock. On this AST shock we replaced the washers with some hardened units and a new upper lock nut supplied by AST. For the MCS you will receive the nut but will have to provide the upper washer plate on your own.
  • After the lower washer plate is on, the OEM lower "male" busing is slid over the 12mm upper stem. The bushing is made for a 10mm hole so it might be a little tight, but it will go on with a little force.
  • In this "ghosted" image you can see how the "female" upper bushing slides over the lower male piece. The upper bushing and washer plate go above the sheet metal hole when the shock is installed.
  • This is what the assembled bushing looks like. The sheet metal of the chassis goes between the two bushings.
  • The modified upper washer plate, nut and OEM upper bushing are visible from the trunk area when the shock is installed. This is all hidden behind an interior panel in the trunk, which can be left mostly installed and just pulled back to access the shock knob.
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