There are plenty of videos and write-ups online about how to install axle backs but I couldn't find any covering installation while the car is on ramps with little room. I don't know for sure if all the models are identical since I only have experience with the Boss 302 but I don't see why Ford would over complicate it and mount mufflers differently so I included all models in the title to make it easier to find when searching.
The first thing to keep in mind is safety. Disconnect negative battery terminal, ensure that the mufflers aren't too hot before you tackle this and wear safety glasses. I also feel more comfortable using ramps over jack and jack stands but if you use jack, make sure you secure the car on jack stands and not rely on the jack. I use Rhino ramps and so far, they haven't shown any sign of stress. I highly recommend them. If you use ramps, make sure that the tires are centered on the ramps.
Tools:
Drive extension bar
Drive extension bar with a swivel/hinged joint
Ratchet & socket set
Super grease
You might also need a flashlight to see exactly where some of the bolts are.
1 - Unbolt the rear muffler hanger mount. There are two bolts and they are tough to get to so you'll need the two extension bars to get to it and have the leverage.
2 - Unbolt the exhaust piping clamps. I had to give the pipe a couple of bangs with a hammer to get it loose due to rust. There is a small welded clip holding the clamp in place too. You may need to pry it up to allow the clamp to move loosely.
3 - Pull the stock muffler off the midpipe. This will take some moving of the mufflers back and forth to loosen. Spray some super grease on the front hangers to make them easier to slide.
4 - Once the the muffler is loose, there will be a lot more room to slide the muffler all the way back and out of the front mounts. If you have a Watt's link, you may need to unbolt the front hanger mounts like you did earlier with the rear. The driver's side has three bolts while the passenger side has two for some reason.
5 - Pull the rear hanger mount uninstalled in step 1 off the muffler. Grease helps a lot. If you uninstalled the front hanger mount in step 4, pull it off as well since it will be reused.
6 - Slide the front and rear hanger mounts on the new axle back mounts and the manufacturer supplied clamps on the exhaust pipe. If you didn't uninstall the front hanger mount in step 4, slide the rear hanger mount on the new axle back and then slide the front hangers in the hanger mounts while they are on the car.
7 - Install the rear hanger mount on the car first. I found this to be an easier way since you have a lot of flexibility to move the front facing side around to get it to fit on the midpipe. If you uninstalled the front hanger mount in step 4, leave it uninstalled for now. If you didn't, you may need to untighten the bolts a bit to give yourself more room to move the exhaust around to get it to fit.
8 - Once the axle backs and the midpipes are fit properly, get out from under the car and take a step back to look at the exhaust tips. You may need to fiddle around with the axle backs a bit to get them centered in the diffuser cut outs.
9 - Bolt the front hanger mount back in if they were uninstalled. Don't tighten until you recheck that the tips are still centered.
10 - Tighten the exhaust clamps to manufacturer's spec and reconnect the battery terminal.
11 - Start the car up and enjoy!
The first thing to keep in mind is safety. Disconnect negative battery terminal, ensure that the mufflers aren't too hot before you tackle this and wear safety glasses. I also feel more comfortable using ramps over jack and jack stands but if you use jack, make sure you secure the car on jack stands and not rely on the jack. I use Rhino ramps and so far, they haven't shown any sign of stress. I highly recommend them. If you use ramps, make sure that the tires are centered on the ramps.
Tools:
Drive extension bar
Drive extension bar with a swivel/hinged joint
Ratchet & socket set
Super grease
You might also need a flashlight to see exactly where some of the bolts are.
1 - Unbolt the rear muffler hanger mount. There are two bolts and they are tough to get to so you'll need the two extension bars to get to it and have the leverage.
2 - Unbolt the exhaust piping clamps. I had to give the pipe a couple of bangs with a hammer to get it loose due to rust. There is a small welded clip holding the clamp in place too. You may need to pry it up to allow the clamp to move loosely.
3 - Pull the stock muffler off the midpipe. This will take some moving of the mufflers back and forth to loosen. Spray some super grease on the front hangers to make them easier to slide.
4 - Once the the muffler is loose, there will be a lot more room to slide the muffler all the way back and out of the front mounts. If you have a Watt's link, you may need to unbolt the front hanger mounts like you did earlier with the rear. The driver's side has three bolts while the passenger side has two for some reason.
5 - Pull the rear hanger mount uninstalled in step 1 off the muffler. Grease helps a lot. If you uninstalled the front hanger mount in step 4, pull it off as well since it will be reused.
6 - Slide the front and rear hanger mounts on the new axle back mounts and the manufacturer supplied clamps on the exhaust pipe. If you didn't uninstall the front hanger mount in step 4, slide the rear hanger mount on the new axle back and then slide the front hangers in the hanger mounts while they are on the car.
7 - Install the rear hanger mount on the car first. I found this to be an easier way since you have a lot of flexibility to move the front facing side around to get it to fit on the midpipe. If you uninstalled the front hanger mount in step 4, leave it uninstalled for now. If you didn't, you may need to untighten the bolts a bit to give yourself more room to move the exhaust around to get it to fit.
8 - Once the axle backs and the midpipes are fit properly, get out from under the car and take a step back to look at the exhaust tips. You may need to fiddle around with the axle backs a bit to get them centered in the diffuser cut outs.
9 - Bolt the front hanger mount back in if they were uninstalled. Don't tighten until you recheck that the tips are still centered.
10 - Tighten the exhaust clamps to manufacturer's spec and reconnect the battery terminal.
11 - Start the car up and enjoy!
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