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    How to: Step-by-step water pump replacement

    I had a little excess that squeezed up when the cover was tightened down but this is a good idea. Good job, Andy. I’m glad I’ve been helpful. I’ve found that they’re definitely some aftermarket parts that should be avoided, Dorman being one of them. Cloyes, though, can be trusted imo. They’ve...
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    Well it finally happened

    I’ll reinforce what Neptune suggested. Remove a valve cover to inspect and stick a bore scope down at least a few spark plug holes(you’ll be replacing them anyway, right?) to check cylinder condition before any work is performed to the vehicle. Just finding some sludge or discoloration inside...
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    It is with a heavy heart

    The F150 we bought was actually at a large Chevy dealership and the Armada we finally settled on was at a small used car place. I get what you’re saying though. Any auto sales place is going to cut corners to try to stay relevant. I’m also usually more sympathetic to any private business vs all...
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    It is with a heavy heart

    That I inform everyone that I’m leaving the Ford family for a bit. I’ve had some problems with my ‘13 xlt that go beyond what I can get done in a timely fashion in my driveway and the local dealerships are scheduling at least a week ahead just to get an appointment. And then it would likely be...
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    How to: Step-by-step water pump replacement

    I responded to your pm The Cloyes kit is fine. Timing chains/gears is what Cloyes does and they’ve been a big name for years. If you maybe want a bit more assurance you could use Ford tensioners but I don’t think that’s necessary. I think I mentioned it in a previous post but the Napa kit looks...
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    And now, let me tell you what I didn’t do that I should have and that I know I should have. I should have replaced the stabilizer bar links at the same time when I had the control arm out of the way. It’s still possible to do with the control arm installed but there is so much more room with...
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    Once the bushing is installed, put the arm back on the subframe. You’ll need the dead blow hammer from the bushing install and a hefty pry bar to get the rear bushing seated correctly in the subframe. Make sure you clean the mounting bolts and apply a little blue loctite to the bolts. The rear...
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    This is where you need either A) get creative like I did, or 2) just remove the ball joint nut and put the arm in a vise to beat the new bushing into the arm. Remember to pay attention to the position of the old bushing, or check the other side, so the new one goes back into approximately the...
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    But wait… Depending on how bad your bushings are, it may come off in two pieces. Mine came off in one piece but I can definitely see how this could take one more pull to get the bushing completely off Don’t panic though. Remove one piece at a time and keep going until all the pieces are off.
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    Alright, here is where I got started with the pics. You need a bearing puller like this; I bought this one for cheap on Amazon but parts stores should have one like this to rent. I know the Napa near me has them. Swing the arm to the rear of the wheel well and a et it up like this Now all...
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    Once one of the corners is up, supported on a jack stand, & wheel is off it’s really nothing more than unbolting the rear bushing from the subframe and removing the large bolt from the front bushing. I also realized I didn’t take as many pics of this job as of the water pump thread I made. This...
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    Clunk repair diy-front control arm, rear bushing

    I finally had enough of the terrible suspension clunk from my ‘13 xlt. Even going over the smallest crack in the road it sounded like the entire front of the vehicle was going to fall apart. It didn’t take much forum snooping or investigating with the wheel off to identify where most of the...
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    Front end clunking

    Sway bar links are a pretty common culprit as well
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    Serpentine Belt (Change)

    IMO this is only a pain because it’s easier done from below. If you’re handy at all and can wait until the weekend it’s a diy job.
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    Need some help

    Going through this nonsense again has made me very paranoid so I have a silly question. I have the chains & guides back on with new main tensioner and phasers. All in their proper orientations with the plates installed. The engine rotates fine and is still aligned properly after several...
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    Need some help

    So, after many hours and dollars of headache I have the timing cover off again and have the cams/plates in their proper positions but the crank sprocket is waaay off. Nothing looks damaged and I don’t see any pieces that I accidentally left off/on when I did the water pump/chains in the fall(I...
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    How to: Step-by-step water pump replacement

    I found this online but, honestly, I’m not ever really concerned with valve cover bolt torque or pattern. Just tighten them down gently until all of the metal inserts in the valve cover are contacting the cylinder head then give ‘em a snug, or about 15 lb/ft with a torque wrench. The bolts...
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    Need some help

    My wife got the car home and said the check engine light came on. I’ve never been so glad to have a check engine light come on. Now I just need to charge up the battery on my scan tool…
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    Need some help

    I need some ideas thrown out that would cause severe hesitation with a change in engine tone while driving. I noticed it in my way home from work. I have an 18 mile drive and it never overheated, no warning lights at all. I was able to limp it to my wife’s work to trade vehicles so I could get...
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    2011 Limited Engine Swap

    What Peter said. The range of acceptable donors is huge so find one that’s the most acceptable combo of close to you and low miles. It would be a good idea to pull one main bearing cap and one rod bearing cap off to inspect before it goes back in the vehicle, just to be on the safe side...
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    2016 Explorer Police - INTERMITTENT CLUNK WHEN TURNING

    Rear bushing on lower control arm is a common failure and bushing will still probably look decent enough from under vehicle and without a new one to compare directly to. It’s definitely possible yours are starting to wear but haven’t gotten too bad yet. I know mine have progressed quickly in the...
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    2016 3.5l timing question

    Everything looks fine. And if you didn’t mess with the adjusters or secondary chains there’s no reason to start messing with them. If you put it all back together and still get codes you’re probably looking at a problem with the solenoids and/or adjusters. ** I’m not a Ford-specific mechanic...
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    2016 3.5l timing question

    You don’t need to turn it a million times to try to get the dots and links to line back up. Just turn the crank a few times to get everything moving in the same direction. If the crank sprocket dot is at 4 o’clock and the cam plates fit, the base timing is set. I bet the pending code was set...
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