Update: I'm going to rename Casper. New name: Annabelle... NOT so friendly ghost... Switch fixed headlight issue. Had to cancel Safelite due to herniating a disc in my neck when I tried to put the tire back on. I know, wimp. I didn't used to be so weak, but when chronic illness takes over, once simple tasks become giant mountains to overcome.
Put the mirror back up temporarily in the meantime. I think some water is getting through the cracked windshield and affecting the auto-lamp sensor? Sometimes the headlights like to just turn themselves on, out of the blue, without key or start or anything. I'll just walk outside and see the lights on! Possessed I tell you... Unhook ground on the battery to reset, hook it back up, then its fine for a little while. I'm going to take note next time it rains and see if the two show correlation.
In other and good news, received front calipers and installed. THAT was fun. NOTE: Be sure to install new brake calipers with bleeder valve ON TOP, brake line in banjo screw on BOTTOM. Maybe I'll get a photo next time I have the wheels off. Guess what happens if you install these on the wrong sides, upside down? (laugh away, I found it quite entertaining myself) NO BRAKES, and you go through 2 big bottles of DOT3 brake fluid... SO! If you're new to wrenching on your own vehicle, that's my tip of the day. Explorer calipers are symmetrical and CAN BE MOUNTED INCORRECTLY. Once the calipers are mounted correctly on the proper sides, vacuum pressure will finally hold and stop squirting out slime at you. It's no wonder the rotors and calipers were messed up, they were previously installed incorrectly as well!
We are roadworthy now, tags, title, insurance (holy cow thanks Farm Bureau for a $27/mo policy!!!!!!), lights, brakes, mirrors.
I picked up a door handle on eBay for $6 shipped for the passenger side front door. Handle and shroud were completely gone. Couldn't find the durn handle rod for a few minutes, then realized some person had maybe installed a new window track or motor, and locked the rod outside the track which does in NO way allow the handle rod to reach the handle. During that project I had to breakout my shmexy miner-esque streamlight head lamp as dusk had fallen quickly upon my "it'll just take 5 minutes" project. Unscrewed 2 of 3 window track mounts VERY carefully, and gingerly pushed the handle rod to the inner door side of the track. BINGO. It fit in perfectly, and all the plastic doo-hickeys were in place as well as the tiny metal lock grommet to keep the handle attached to the rod. Didn't even try the handle until 2 days later, but worked like a charm and now my husband can let himself out of my vehicle. LOL
I also splurged a teeny bit and picked up a couple little horsey decals for the back. I really like how they look on the back glass!
Then I pulled out the pet barrier I have been carting around, the supports were rusted solid and I hadn't had a chance to fix it. I took a bunch of liquid wrench to the two supports, sat on the barrier part in the trunk of the 'sploder, and took a pair of vice grips to wiggle the supports out so I could install the thing properly. Came out really nice, I think!
Now I'm taking a break for a couple weeks to have physical therapy on my neck, then the first week in May I'll be back at the projects! Happy Easter all!
