2006 Explorer Limited V8 4WD Questions from new owner

[Upscale Speed]

I have a 06 Limited V8 4WD model with 144k miles. I just bought it for a winter vehicle. Very nice truck with Navi/DVD/moonroof, etc. Anyways I have no idea what service was ever done. I had my mechanic check it out and asked him to change the fuel filter and check out the truck thoroughly. It needs a rear wheel bearing, two front tires are worn unevenly, needs an alignment after I get new tires, etc. I'm good with that. However, the tranny has a delayed kind of jerky shift from 1-2 and then again from 2-3. It worse when it's cold, but it's always there. I told him I wanted to change the tranny fluid and filter and he said he talked to his friends at Aamco (i know he works with them a lot) and they said not to touch it since the mileage was so high. What do you guys think?

Also I noticed that the steering is a little stiff when taking turns at low speeds. When traveling faster no problem. The tires are not aggressive off road tires, just basic high way traveling tires. No PS squealing going on. I was told by my mechanic that it could be the steering shaft coupler. Is that a common issue with these trucks?

Lastly, I read about the spark plug horror show with the 2 piece design. Is there a tool that will take out the bottom part if the plug were to snap in two during removal and how difficult is it to use?

87 octane only or will I see better performance running 93? Sorry for all the new questions.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Regarding the transmission fluid change, drop the pan and change the fluid and filter (be sure to use the correct fluid specification because the wrong spec. will make it worse). The 6R60 trannies are more robust than the 5R's and a simple fluid change may take care of your delayed shifting issues (normal service intervals on the transmission is up around where the mileage is now so who knows if it has ever been changed). As far as your steering question, remember that you are driving a 5000 lb. vehicle so it is going to be a little sluggish at low speed and the engine was designed to run on 87 octane so it is a waste of money to put anything else in it unless you have an aftermarket tune that calls for high octane.
Not trying to be rude or anything, but try using the advanced search option and selecting just the 4th gen forum and you will find answers to your spark plug question.