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If you get lightly scratched or hazy perspex (or other hard-type clear plastics) then you can use metal polish to put a new finish on it. There's a bit of elbow work involved but it does work. Try it on a scrap piece of perspex first if you just want to get an idea of how it works. This is quite...

I got the EGR version. It works OK and was easy to fit, minor problem is that crap collects in the gap between deflector/front lip of the hood - and I can't get my hand down there to clean it out. Worth having though. Chris

I reckon it must have been all downhill - 1600 miles of it :)) Chris

If the shock isn't leaking and it's only the squeaking that's bothering you then it's possible it's just the metal bush that's dry and corroded (it's inside the rubber bush - the bolt passes through it). So why not just take it off and check - only a couple of bolts to remove. Clean it up -...

Well, assuming worn pads were not put back in the front, I've had a similar noise which was caused by a stone getting caught in the callipers. Didn't last long though. Chris

This is a bad paint job, and it sounds like they used the wrong primer. For alloy you have to use an acid-etch primer (or equiv.), or the top-coat paint just peels off. Chris

The makers of these things claim something like 8.5%, how true that is I can't say. I don't know what products are available to you in the USA but below is a link to Kenlowe's website where you'll find more information: http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/ I have not fitted one to my Ex, but have to a...

I just put new PB shoes in my '97, I was surprised there was no automatic adjustment mechanism. Anyhow, to set the brakes initially you measure across the outer diameter of the shoes and set this distance to be 0.020" less than the inside diameter of the brake drum. Adjustments are made using...

Did this job over the weekend, but without any spare diff oil to hand decided not to pull the shafts. I found the job quite easy though, you had me worried there for a minute! I was puzzled how to go about getting the new shoes in, until I figured how to use 3 screwdrivers together to force...

Couple of weeks back I bought a new 3-ton jack to replace the 2-ton I already had. The new one has a wider wheelbase and is much more stable. I still have the 2-ton jack stands but will replace these real soon with heavier ones. Chris

Could be the alternator, but in my experience these either work OK or they don't work at all. Might be the voltage regulator, or might be the battery. I just hate getting a flat battery so always replace with a new one after 3 years anyway.

Well I've only had my 'xplorer a few weeks, but I already made one stupid move :) The plastic skirting around the rear wheel arches and rear door had taken a knock at some point in the past, it had sprung out leaving an unsightly gap so I decided to add a couple small bolts to hold it back in...

OK, thanks! Can't figure those brake shoes though, there was just a sliver of metal remaining. Previous owner must have driven around with the parking brake on! Chris

I pulled the hubs off the rear axle the other day to check the parking brake shoes (which were badly worn as it turns out). What worried me was the amount of 'free play' or endfloat in the driveshaft. It moves freely in and out by about 5mm or maybe more - like it was sliding on splines or...

Well I found a clue to how it's usually done - using a PWM (pulse-width modulated) dimmer switch combined with a simple timer chip. Just need to get a hold of one of these babys. Chris

You're right, they are more a danger themselves when used inappropriately. It's difficult to see the brake lights come on due to the glare.

It wasn't me that said that, all I did was play around with a single 5W bulb. I found the capacitor (16V BTW) will add a few second delay but making it gradually fade out is more difficult. The problem is the cap discharges at a constant rate until the stored charge is almost gone. Chris

It should be uF - but it really does say mF (the capacitor was from an old computer - German I think. mF in this case means micro-Farad). Don't forget to add a resistor, a large capacitor looks like an open circuit without one and you'll blow the fuse as it charges up (sorry if you already...

Ah, it's the alternator bearings then? Nothing wrong with a remanufactured alternator so long as they'll give you a warranty with it. Bearing failure is common, the rest of it will be fine although the brushes do wear out eventually. If you're handy at mechanicals and feeling adventurous you...

Hi Rune, Guess I'm in the same position as yourself, I recently bought some new shocks for my '97 (ProComp ES9000) but have not fitted them yet. I was going to last weekend but when I looked it seemed to me that the lower part of the front shocks would foul the driveshaft. The stock Ford...

Slipping belt? Dunno really - try describing it a bit more - like volume, pitch etc. Chris

Re: Trans Fluid OK, maybe a stupid question, but seeing one isn't supplied I wonder if there is a convenient position to *make* a drain hole. It doesn't need be large - even a 1/4" would do if not in a hurry. Then the hole just needs tapping and a suitable plug making up. Anyone done this...

Yes it has happened to me, but not with the Explorer. Cause in this example was a weak spark - either battery or leads (I changed both and the problem went away). Chris

That's a good idea! However, what I would like to try first is making an interface for a laptop and then a simple program should be able to do the same job. - shouldn't need much more than a few optoisolators to get the data into the PC via the parallel port, if it needs to output signals to...

Nothing more irritating than a stubborn bolt is there? It should not be that tight, rarely does it rust in place (because of the oil) and it has to come out at regular intervals unlike most other bolts. If it's starting to round the corners you'll now need a new bolt anyway, and if it's badly...