02' sport trac maintenance

[roughrider17]

I recently bought my fathers 02 sport trac (around 6 months ago)
it has about 98 000 miles on it, and ive recently had to get my rear differential rebuilt. I do a fair amount of off roading with it, and i run it in 4by4 one or two days a week and i just wanted to know what other sort of maintenance i should be doing to keep it in optimal condition. I plan on keeping the truck for as as i possibly can so any help would be greatly appreciated. I know enough about my sport trac to do simple maintenance but anything more complicated i would have to take it to a mechanic.
Thanks

 

[mustang6878]

tires on my '03 are starting to lean in meaning balljoints. I have 92 K on mine and am replacing all 4 bj's and front shocks and checking the front brake pads and replacing spark plugs and wires while I have wheel well access. Off roading is hard on front end parts, and Trac's like their ball joints.Before winter I will also flush the cooling system and add fresh anti freeze, mine is getting dirty looking.

 

[05dakotatrac]

for an off roader i recommend:
religious oil changes, trans flushes, front and rear differential fluids, transfer case fluid, an extra trans cooler, shake down the front end and replace with above base quality parts off roading tears up front IFS systems specially the ball joints and wheel bearings,

 

[Trackerforsport]

Also extend breather lines it's nice to change milky diff fluid

 

[roughrider17]

Mustang: do you happen to know what kind of a job it would be to replace the ball joints? like how much it costs etc. and could you do it yourself? or would you recommend me take it to a mechanic?
Dakota: thanks,the other day i got all of my fluids checked and topped off, but what do you mean by religious oil changes?
tracker: i just had all of my diff fluids flushed out, thanks!

 

[mustang6878]

I had a total of 10 hrs invested and around $325 to do upper and lower ball joints. I borrowed the tools from the parts store where I bought the parts. I found out that 4 things are your greatest friend when doing this job: your floor jack, a BFH, ( I started with a 3 pounder, but the 8 pounder is what was needed) a propane torch and penatrating oil.

If you look at this link on here, it pretty much guides you thru it..

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

BTW, don't even bother trying to replace the upper bj, just buy new upper control arms and un bolt, and bolt them back in..( that is the easy part)

Good luck!

 

[Trackerforsport]

On rockauto.com the upper and lower ball joints are only 50 a piece with the ball joints and grease fittings it's better to just buy the whole thing

 

[Trackerforsport]

Sorry the bottoms are 70 but still a good buy

 

[swshawaii]

:scratch:

On rockauto.com the upper and lower ball joints are only 50 a piece with the ball joints and grease fittings it's better to just buy the whole thing

Sorry the bottoms are 70 but still a good buy

ST lower ball joints are replaceable separately. Original upper ball joints are not, and both UCA's must be replaced.
http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27045_Ford_Truck_Control_Arms_En.pdf

Lower (Moog K8695T) $24.79 each
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1385355,parttype,10070

Moog's "Problem Solver" line is their premium line, not the cheaper "R" series service grade.
Upper Left (K8708T) $35.79
Upper Right (K80068) $69.79
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1385355,parttype,10401

 

[Trackerforsport]

:scratch:
ST lower ball joints are replaceable separately. Original upper ball joints are not, and both UCA's must be replaced.
http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27045_Ford_Truck_Control_Arms_En.pdf

Lower (Moog K8695T) $24.79 each
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1385355,parttype,10070

Moog's "Problem Solver" line is their premium line, not the cheaper "R" series service grade.
Upper Left (K8708T) $35.79
Upper Right (K80068) $69.79
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1385355,parttype,10401

Sorry I must have been looking at the wrong ones

 

[Trackerforsport]

I was looking at the complete arm with ball joint

 

[roughrider17]

Can you change the ball joints at different times? like if i did the left ones one day than the right ones the next? or should i do it all in one shot? and how long approximately would this all take?

 

[swshawaii]

No problem there. Obviously, you want both UCA's installed before alignment. Remember to
grease them until they barely bulge and are slightly firm, they're almost dry out of the box.

 

[Markaprice73]

100K. Flush the coolant(change the thermostat and rad cap while your at it), change the spark plus(wires if you want), and pcv valve.
Check your fathers service records.
Brake fluid/fuel filter/belt and pulleys/front diff fluid/transfer case fluid/shocks/front and rear sway bar bushings/front endlinks(bushings)/battery condition/power steering fluid/air filter/oil and filter/transmission pan drop with filter.....last one is debatable depending on you records.