Fuse #27 solved multiple problems

[koda2000]

I finally got the 2000 Mountaineer AWD back from my eldest daughter today (she was to have returned it to me, in early May, so I could finish the outstanding repairs from when we bought it back in Feb). I had told her to drive it for a month, or so, to see if anything else needed attention, Since then, I've been asking her to take 2 seconds, out of her busy day, to check fuse #27, as I suspected it was missing. Of course she couldn't find the time and it's been driving me nuts not knowing. I'd read where someone reported that their rear defogger didn't work and it was do to this fuse being blown. Her defogger, backup lights, OD OFF switch and AUTOLOCK feature didn't work, but none were a high priority so I let her have the truck. I'd checked for blown fuses, but not missing fuses.

Good news! The fuse was missing, so I installed a new one (it didn't blow) and it fixed all of the outstanding electrical problems. Now on to the rest of the list. She's given me 2 days. Unfortunately replacing the fuse did little to stop the rear xfer case seal leak, flush the cooling system, or replace the parking brake shoes.

 

[Dave 1955]

Not for nothing you're a good dad for doing what you do. Cheers my friend!

 

[ronsdeal]

Good for you on the fuse.
I've read that the parking brake shoes are a pain....
Coolant flush etcetera not at all a big deal.
Anyway, good luck, and keep us posted as to your progress.

 

[ronsdeal]

oh, the transfer case seal might take some time.......

 

[koda2000]

Good for you on the fuse.
I've read that the parking brake shoes are a pain....
Coolant flush etcetera not at all a big deal.
Anyway, good luck, and keep us posted as to your progress.

actually, I don't think the xfer case seal will be too bad. looks to be about the same as a transmission tail shaft seal, except for needing to remove the coupler and I have an impact wrench and 30mm socket to get that off. i'm gonna drain it first to minimize the mess.

I started trying to replace the parking brake shoes and hardware today. aaahhhrrrggg! total PITA. I had bdriver000's instructions and photos, so I figured it should be doable. I was eventually able to get the left and right shoes and retractor springs in place, but I gave up on installing the adjuster, as I wasn't able to figure out how to spread the shoes apart enough while placing the adjuster between the bottom of the shoes. first I was getting cooked by the sun, and then it started pouring rain. so I gave up for now. maybe if I can get someone to help me i'll try again later. too frustrated right now.

update:
well, I started with replacing a broken/missing wheel stud. then it stopped raining and I got my younger daughter to help me with her sister's parking brakes (my younger daughter is the only person in my family, including my wife, boyfriends and husbands, who's actually helpful. we started by removing the outer retractor spring to allow more movement. we finally got-r-done, but dealing with the retractor springs (even just the rear one) the adjuster and the retainer clips/pins was awful. to those of you who have reported doing this job alone, my hat's off to ya! I was seriously considering pulling the axles, but finally success! now I can sleep at night, knowing that if the x-fer case craps-out, I can remove the front drive shaft w/out worrying about the truck rolling away. happy to report no x-fer case issues after 6 months of use (other than the rear driveshaft seal) and now that I put the new'ish tires from from my dead XLT on it, I not concerned about stressing the AWD with mismatched tires.

tomorrow, the x-fer case seal, finish flushing the cooling system install a new trailer plug and it's ready to be picked up on Wednesday. if time and weather permits, I might do a couple of minor repairs too (OCD's a *****).