Just picked up a 93 Eddie Bauer

[r8ter316]

Well as the title says, I just picked up an eddie bouer with 105k(I didn't believe it either...but it was from an older couple who didn't drive alot) Its actually in alright condition just some nagging things. I already had to do the classic drivers door hinge fix. Some other little things too. I have the the worst digital camera ever or else id post pics. Any post-buy tips for me? I also have some questions for all of you guys as it seems you are all very knowledgeable on these trucks. I'm Derek, by the way...I would of posted in the member intro forum but I dont have any pics and had some questions so I came here.

1. What could be causing the loud clunk when i release the brake pedal? Its coming from the front of the car. My brother thinks its the brake maybe not done right. I'm thinking its the suspension in general. (maybe the radius arm? Is this the symptoms of that?)

2. My truck seems to not wanna idle smoothly..We cleaned the 2 sensors on intake. But have not changed plugs or oil yet. The wires look fine..but ive seen new looking wires act up sometimes. I'm not sure if all those would be the fix and im worried it might be fuel pressure. How would one go about fixing that? Whats the grade of gas you guys are running? When I tested the car it didnt do this...now it is. Was I wrong putting the lowest octane gas in it?

3. Rust...lots of it. Car was in Boston its whole life. No body or interior damage at all just rust. When you open both the rear passenger doors, you can see a part where the rust is real bad. while its not on the frame, the panel that the side body skirt bolts on is rusted bad. To the point where one of the screws closest to the rear wheel isn't connected. Shop job on this would be alot lol..so im thinking its staying this way.

4. Classic leather wear..Some seams that are ripped too. My bro thinks cleaning the seats might make them weaker and tear. I'm not sure..I think cleaning them would make them a bit better. Whats the fix for seam rips? My bolster is partly ripped off at the seam. (lol spare me the buying new seats fix )

5. Im running 35 psi right now on the bfgs...stock size. what are you guys running?

6. Best shocks? Mine are peaced.

Thanks guys, nice forum!

Derek

 

[quicklook2]

change the plugs and wires.

if in doubt.replace the sensors, cleaning does not always help.

check the rear suspension shackles for rust.

check brake lines for rust.

35 psi may be a little rough in the city.

have midas put your truck up on the lift and tell you what is wrong with your brakes, then go home and fix them yourself.

BUY A MANUAL.

look in suspension forum to see what shocks members like.

good luck.

 

[WizardOfOdds]

Hey and congratulations on your new old X! =)

105k on it is great... and yeah, some older couples don't drive a lot, for example, my grandfather owns a 99 chevy pick-up with 23000 kilometers on it. he drives like 3km a day!

As for the body work, the panels are notorious for rusting out like that. Check http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1638462#post1638462, that's my X and I had the rusted panels and gas cap, I fixed the panels using some sheet metal that I got bent to cover the bottom and side, filled the hole with spray foam, and bondo'd the top to make it all one piece, looks OKAY, Ive got pictures posted and explinations of what I did too. Also, check your rear windshield washer resevior (if u have it) they also leak and that's what caused the rust around my gas cap.

Do a search on the site because there are lots of people who have similar problems with rouge idle, clunking and such... Mine clunks when I press the brakes only sometimes. I read it could be like Radius Arm Bushing or I also read someone saying to grease the driveshaft nipples and that fixed it for them.

Anyways, yeah, just do regular tune-up, plugs, wires, filters, oil change, grease steering components ect., you could even change the thermostat and flush rad fluid if your feeling up to it!

BTW, clean your MAF sensor, they are also known for going bad and just need a cleaning, this causes rough idles I think too so that might be your problem. Do a search on the site for it, theres lots of posts! Good luck

 

[mawrazen]

Read your CEL codes and solve the issues that cause them.

It also can be as simple as a loose or bad vacuum line. From the tree they go everywhere and a cracked broken or loose vacuum line can cause the problems that you decribe.

Hope this Helps! You Can Do It!

 

[r8ter316]

Update

Replaced Oil, spark plugs, wires, cleaned sensors, and checked all my vacuum lines. The truck is still running a bit rough..its fustrating how i still cant get it smooth. One thing I wanted to ask you guys is about the stock alarm. After I did all the work i listed above..I did not disconnect the battery for 15 min. Reason being I didnt know what it would do to my alarm? It is factory I believe...But one other car I had I had a battery die and the alarm went really crazy after that. Also, would not clearing the computer make my idle remain rough?

Also...checked up on my radius arms...the bushings are shot. My radius arms look fine..besides the rust..Could I get away with just replacing the bushings? or are you guys replacing your radius arms as well? Man..my shocks are toast also...I guess the sweet old couple I bought it off of didn't understand the concept of shock replacement.

Man..now I got an Abs light on too...idk if theres two abs lights(abs and abs rear) but the one thats on for me just says abs. I looked at the brakes..the pads and rotors are mint. How many fuses does the abs system have? Where they at...Idk why but I start my car up and the light isnt on. But after I drive a while it comes on.

Im really liking the truck so far...It runs smooth. I just gotta get all these bugs worked out...What could be causing this idle..its pissing me off. I got a fuel filter...but havnt put it in yet..could this be the culprit?

 

[quicklook2]

just replace the bushings.

 

[mikeinri]

Here are a few ideas.

Does the clunk happen when you release the brake in Park? If so, I'd bet it's something with the brakes, most likely you need to lube (or replace and lube) the caliper slide pins. If it only happens when you're in gear, it could be suspension, and the RABs are the most likely culprit.

87 octane should be fine. You could have the fuel pressure tested. You might also have a blocked injector, especially if the truck sat a lot (low miles can cause all sorts of weird problems). In some cases, the coil packs have also been known to go bad.

OK, I won't tell you to buy new seats. You could buy used seats (ebay or junk yard).

I run 35 psi on Michelin XCLT4s. Ride is bumpy on potholes, but hey, that's how I know it's a TRUCK, not one of those pansy "cross-over SUVs"!

Welcome to the forum!

Mike

 

[msmith65]

Bushings can be drilled out or ground off. Mine had been replaced once before (nuts and bolts were there) so I didn't have to fight that battle. Search the site for tips and see what will work best for you. I think if I'd had a grinder, that's what I'd have used.

I run 28 psi, which is what I think the door sticker calls for. I was running 40 for economy, but the ride was too harsh. We mostly drive around town, anyway, so any small fuel gains weren't worth the bumps.

Did you clean the MAF? Also check around the big intake hose for leaks. One way is to spray small amounts of quick-start (ether) around the joints and listen to whether the engine races or slows. Do this with great caution (keep ya' face back) and only if you're certain there are no sparking ignition wires.