New Mountaineer owner

[Chaldo4lyfe]

Hi everyone. I just picked up a 2002 mountaineer v6 with 98k on it. At the price I payed, I figured it was worth it being it was clean, AWD, sunroof, 6cd changer, and the carfax came back flawlessly, I'm the third owner. My main concern, and I do apologize if it was posted before, but for some reason when I search for something, I never find the exact topic I search about, is what should I change as of right now? The previous owner told me he replaced the back shocks, new brakes and tires all around, and says he replaced the back passenger's side wheel bearing. What fluids and parts for my own peace of mind should I replace, besides engine oil, which I was going to switch to synthetic regardless? Being this is my first time owning an AWD vehicle other than my 9-7x, should it be very hard to turn into a parking spot? Because when I cut the wheel say 70% to park, the car in a way stops, till I give it some gas and even then it jerks and I hear a sort of clanking in the rear. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

change the tranny fluid and filter. search for threads on that especially in the transmission section. for piece of mind, might as well do fresh fluids all around, transfer case and differentials. i am sure in the transmission sections there's at least a few threads on each of those.

tranny fluid change: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118654

transfer case flush: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242696

 

[roush9799]

When you buy tires, buy all 4. And then rotate them often. AWD doesn't like uneven wear. My fronts are 2 years old rears are 1 year old, same brand and everything, but I have to keep the fronts aired a psi or 2 above the rears to keep the AWD quiet and happy. I bought it and didn't know the tires were put on at different times. When I get some money saved I'm probably gonna sell those off and buy a matched set.