Making rockauto.com richer

[gsmaclean]

Even though when I bought my truck, I said I was only going to do the bare minimum to keep it running, I find myself buying more and more parts to fix it. I just went online to rockauto.com and ordered new radius arm bushings, transmission gasket & filter, shocks, and the pipe that connects the AC condensor to the accumulator. It was very rusty, and when I went to recharge it last night, as soon as the compressor kicked on and started running, there was a sudden "sssssssssss" out of the rusty pipe and the AC pressure went to zero.

*sigh*

I also got some flat black spray paint to paint the bare parts on the windshield wiper arms and roof racks where the paint had worn away.

Things already fixed:

- dying radio replaced
- cooked subwoofer replaced
- driver's door hinge fixed
- multiple light bulbs replaced
- turn signal flasher replaced
- cruise control fixed
- engine seafoamed
- oil/filter replaced
- air filter replaced
- everything lube-able lubed

Things on my "to fix" list:

- parking brake cable seized
- front brake pads
- fuel tank float cracked
- radius arm bushings shot
- shocks
- shift indicator broken
- dashboard illumination lights out
- A/C inop
- front wheel bearings humming at >60 mph
- transmission fluid/filter change

This is my second American vehicle, the 13th vehicle I've owned in my life. All others have been Japanese. I'm astounded at how many things on this truck need fixing or replacing at only 120,000 miles. And everyone seems to think this is perfectly normal. Don't get me wrong, I love this truck, but coming from the world of Honda, Toyota and Subaru, where 120,000 miles means you might have changed a couple split CV boots, some brakes, and maybe a muffler.

 

[EMG7895]

You have to take into account a few things, its 13 years old, its a truck, and its sounds like it has been abused. I have a japanese vehicle and it costs alot more to fix when something goes wrong, just yesterday I was quoted $800 by the dealer to replace the windshield with a big rock chip right behind the mirror. Although they can be alot more reliable, and economical you cant treat one of them like an explorer and expect it to live.

 

[mikeinri]

Let’s reality check your list of “problems.”

ALL of these items are normal maintenance on ANY vehicle:

- multiple light bulbs replaced
- turn signal flasher replaced
- oil/filter replaced
- air filter replaced
- everything lube-able lubed
- front brake pads
- shocks
- dashboard illumination lights out (they ARE bulbs after all)
- A/C inop (could just be a charge)
- front wheel bearings humming at >60 mph
- transmission fluid/filter change

And this is OPTIONAL:

- engine seafoamed

I’ll give you these, but for the age and unknown maintenance / abuse history, anything goes on any vehicle.

- dying radio replaced
- cooked subwoofer replaced
- driver's door hinge fixed
- cruise control fixed
- parking brake cable seized
- fuel tank float cracked
- radius arm bushings shot
- shift indicator broken

Good luck, welcome to the party! I have 264,000 miles on my 94 Explorer, let me know when you catch up! If you keep it long enough, you should expect that you will, these trucks just don't seem to die!

Mike

 

[Mud Bug 94]

Good luck, welcome to the party! I have 264,000 miles on my 94 Explorer, let me know when you catch up! If you keep it long enough, you should expect that you will, these trucks just don't seem to die!

Mike

367,890.3 miles and only regular maintenance third tranny tho ....hopefully stick comming soon....let me know when YOU catch up...

 

[wolfnutts]

ya i had one toyota t-100 a fews yrs back which i liked but when the dealer said to me 800 bucks for ur new tailgate sir i i i said after pking myself up off the floor um im gonna have to thk about it an left

 

[scottieD]

Well, a guy I work with has a Nissan Murano and very nice it is indeed but he has just shelled out $850 for a new radiator.....OUCH, jap cars may last longer and maybe more reliable but they are twice the money to buy second hand compared to an Explorer and hideously expensive to fix!

 

[Mud Bug 94]

i had a 1993 path finder(stock with no doors to get out easier when on roof) that made it through several laps on the dirtbike track, 45min of straight burnouts and alot of tree bouncing and it ran great but after 5 or 6 rollovers it wouldent start......

 

[mikeinri]

Hey MudBug...

I know you're not calling me out, because I did say these things just don't die, but TRUST ME, I have every intention of keeping this thing on the road for as long as it will go. My commute is significantly less than it used to be, but I still manage about 20,000 a year.

Oh, and in case I'm wrong... I'm on the original A4LD too.

 

[gsmaclean]

You have to take into account a few things, its 13 years old, its a truck, and its sounds like it has been abused. I have a japanese vehicle and it costs alot more to fix when something goes wrong, just yesterday I was quoted $800 by the dealer to replace the windshield with a big rock chip right behind the mirror. Although they can be alot more reliable, and economical you cant treat one of them like an explorer and expect it to live.

That is one thing I WAS pleasantly surprised about. Things that I expected to cost hundreds of dollars (being used to Japanese cars) cost tens of dollars. Also, parts are readily available at the local Napa, online, or any of another hundred places.

If I wanted a part for my Honda any more complex than an oil filter, it was "go see the dealer" time...and we all know what that mean$$$$$....

 

[Mud Bug 94]

hey man all in good fun...i love the x its perfect... plus im just promoting the miles that can be achieved if you keep up on the basic maintenance.

 

[EMG7895]

That is one thing I WAS pleasantly surprised about. Things that I expected to cost hundreds of dollars (being used to Japanese cars) cost tens of dollars. Also, parts are readily available at the local Napa, online, or any of another hundred places.

If I wanted a part for my Honda any more complex than an oil filter, it was "go see the dealer" time...and we all know what that mean$$$$$....

I bought mine almost new, almost traded it in on newer ones many times, and decided around 01-02 that it had depreciated too much, and we had gotten more than our moneys worth out of it, so the next owner would be the junkyard (I still keep it in good shape but with the salvage title rotting rockers on one side and a frame bent in three places I have to give up eventually). Having newer daily drivers under warranty is a beautiful thing (4 year, 50000 mile warranties and great dealerships offset the higher cost of parts) and having the explorer as a winter beater, and work truck is very nice. My neighbors hate it but its not worth it to sell it.

 

[mikeinri]

MudBug... No worries, my sense of humor (OK, sarcasm) doesn't always come through either. But at least I can keep my tranny in one piece...

gsmaclean, I hope this thread has been helpful and that you'll be very happy with your Explorer. I've had my 94 for 8 years, put over 210,000 miles on it myself. Of course, it's worth less than dirt at this point, but that doesn't stop me from putting good tires on it, etc. The shops look at me funny, but it's better than another car payment!

It's good that you found this forum right away, I wish I had years ago. People are very helpful, knowledgeable and occasionally fun!

Mike