A lot of front end work to be done.....

[dwelz]

Hey there people.First off,this site is amazing.ive got a ton of valuble info from you guys and i thank everyone.
Now onto my problems upon PROBLEMS.I just recently purchased a 95 EB.I noticed some popping in the front end and took it to a local shop a block from my house.after all was said and done i was told i needed these things done before i go on my long trip (moving to east TX approx.2400 miles and pulling a 6X10 loaded trailer to boot).Here they are.

Upper and lower ball joints
Tie rod ends
Rack and pinion
thermostat housing
alignment and tires

I was quoted 2200$ to get it done.....Although ive never worked on a ford i have been a tractor/trailer mechanic for about 11 yrs so im pretty mechanicaly inclined.Im 100% positive i can do the work myself.Never done a rack and pinion but thanks to you guys there is a great write up on here so im sure i can do it.My problem is i am not sure on which upper ball joints to purchase for sure.Autozone has different ones to choose from so if someone can help me out with the correct ones then i would be extremely greatful.here is a link to the autozone parts page.Unless someone knows of a cheaper way to get parts.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...romType=&pageNumber=1&partTypeNValue=14600191

Thank you in advance.

 

[eXcali]

I'd hit up the local Junk yard for the parts, you can check out the boots and play on the fittings. I'd also check out what you have on it now, it just seems like one of those "let's replace everything" jobs the mechanics are quoting you. Just for giggles I'd put it on jackstands and check out the tie rod ends, if they are bad it's only a $14 per side fix with autozone parts. Best way to check these is try to pivot the wheel in and out by hand and listen for popping or feel for give.

 

[dwelz]

thats pretty much what i thought.when i walked in the first thing he says is "and you were planning on taking this to texas?!?!??!" with eyes bugged out over exagerating it seemed.i dont really feel any play in the wheels and the boots like fine to me.the only thing that concerns me is the popping sound when i turn my wheels.usualy when the steering is pegged.that is what the shop guy said was making the noise.he said something was hanging up in the rack and pinion....hmm.

 

[410Fortune]

I have rebuilt the entire front end on my 96 Explorer 4 door V8 in the last 2 years

New everything

I didnt do a write up on the ball joints, hubs, brakes, CV's etc because it is so well covered on this forum I did however do a full write up on the rack and pinion replacement on a 4x4

Also be careful what parts you buy, you dont want to do this twice
Cheap ball joints and hub/bearings will have you spending more money very soon

I used Ford parts and some Napa, front end parts are $$$$$ but still cheaper then other 4x4 suv's thank goodness!

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2097018&postcount=546

entire build thread is in my signature

 

[dwelz]

So i got a local shop that said they would do the rack and pinion for 350$ parts included.Sounds like a decent price to me.They also told me my ball joints were fine and tie rod ends just needed adjusted.So i think ill go ahead and have them do that and all i have to do is replace my thermostat gasket.nowhere near the 2200$ that i was qouted at the other place.thank god.And thanks guys for responding to my thread.appreciate it.

 

[IZwack]

I'd hit up the local Junk yard for the parts, you can check out the boots and play on the fittings.

I probably would not go to a junk yard to save a few bucks and then have to redo it again 6 months or maybe a year from now due to unknown age. I mean I can understand if it was like a transfer case or something, but not a TRE or a rack. Just buy it new and be done with it.

 

[dwelz]

i agree izwack.its in the shop now though.theyre gonna replace the rack,full alignment,oil change and full inspection on everything else for 400$.to me that is a hell of a deal.luckily my girl works with a guy that has a friend that owns a shop.first thing he said when we walked in "so your friends of randys huh? well any friend of randys is family to me and you get the same treatment my family does." awesome deal.