Charging system

[Mikealine71]

I have a feeling you guys are gonna love me when I get around to doing ball joints

 

[CDW6212R]

...


Craftsman 44851 Flex Head 3/8" Ratchet Link: Craftsman 44815 3/8" Drive Flex Head Quick-Release Teardrop Ratchet | Sears Hometown Stores

Funny Dave, that's my favorite ratchet. I misplaced it under a hood for a couple of months(forgot), so I bought ano9ther one when Sears had a killer sale then. I got the huge 1/2" version too, that one was about $25 by the sale. I like that one too as a breaker bar since it's longer than my regular breaker bar.

That 3/8" flex ratchet I use for the large caliper bolts, and many others when a short ratchet isn't enough.

 

[fast_dave]

I have a feeling you guys are gonna love me when I get around to doing ball joints

@Mikealine71

In your case, since your Ex is your Daily Driver, you can't afford to have your Ex down for an extended period, you don't have a multitude of proper car parts stores close by, and you don't have heavy duty tools/ hydraulic press, BUT you know how to turn a wrench - your best bet is the following.

Going to Rock Auto and buying COMPLETE upper and lower control arms that already have new ball joints AND rubber suspension bushings installed.

The result will be close to "plug & play" - remove the two bolts/nuts holding each control arm, and installing the new one...

Start early in the AM, and you can do the "swap out" work done in a half day, get your alignment in the afternoon, and be done by the end of the day with a cold one in your hand, admiring the end result

I highly recommend MOOG Brand components.

COMPLETE Upper & Lower Control Arms: 1999 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 5.0L V8 Control Arm | RockAuto

Rock Auto 5% Off Coupon Code:
5% Discount Code: D920117E695C01
Expires: July 23, 2019


Please enter this code in the ‘How Did You Hear about Us’ box to receive the discount. Please enter ONLY the discount code, no other...

 

[CDW6212R]

I have a feeling you guys are gonna love me when I get around to doing ball joints

BJ's are not bad as I do them, I prefer to replace the whole control arm, which comes with new BJ's. I replaced them on my sister's 2007 Jeep, when it had a death wobble. Doing those on the truck was not fun at all, the BJ press isn't always simple(the Jeep's are a PITA). The Explorer lower BJ isn't bad to do alone though, those the press works well for.

 

[fast_dave]

Funny Dave, that's my favorite ratchet. I misplaced it under a hood for a couple of months(forgot), so I bought ano9ther one when Sears had a killer sale then. I got the huge 1/2" version too, that one was about $25 by the sale. I like that one too as a breaker bar since it's longer than my regular breaker bar.

That 3/8" flex ratchet I use for the large caliper bolts, and many others when a short ratchet isn't enough.

@CDW6212R

Thanks for the comment/feedback!.
I have BOTH of them too - 3/8" & 1/2"
They are really well-designed and built - no slop/flexing when stressing them with heavy torque.
The tear-drop head allows you to use it in tight situations.
The flex-head is invaluable when you can't get at something perfectly parallel.
And the 1/2 inch is so heavy duty that I too also frequently use it as a breaker bar - despite owning 3 different breaker bars.
And for the reasonable price - they're hard to beat

 

[Mikealine71]

I meant to update everyone. I was sold a bad alternator. For the most part we knew that I was just hoping it wasn't the case. The funny thing is the second one they gave me I asked him to test it( i learned my lesson) he rolled his eyes but sure **** he comes back and says it didn't work. I had to pay another$40 towards a better one. They acted like I inconvenienced them never an apology or anything. They should test them before selling anyway. I won't go back to Oreillys. Thanks for all the help second time was a breeze.

 

[CDW6212R]

Thanks for the update, we are glad that it's fixed now.

 

[koda2000]

Agreed. Don't shop at O'Reilly's. Glad you got it fixed.

 

[XLTrunner]

That kind of attitude at your local O'Reilly's is precisely why I do most of my buying at Rockauto.com. I once took a suspect starter into my local O'Reilly's for testing and the young guy hooked it up wrong. Sent sparks flying and starter jumped out of the test fixture. If it wasn't bad before, it surely was after that. Kid didn't utter an apology or anything and I was forced to buy a new one. BTW, I NEVER buy remanufactured alternators...period.

 

[fast_dave]

@Mikealine71

Thanks for the update and we'll see you 'round the forum!