New to Forum

[cjleete]

I just picked up a 2001 Mountaineer AWD from a repo company. This is my first Explorer so it's a baptism by fire, as both sets of ball joints are toast. The rest of the vehicle was great, except for the pass. front door handle being broke off. The thing has a V8, and is light as hell, so I have found I must be gentle on the gas pedal when taking off. My primary car is a Tahoe, with a 350, and is nearly half a ton heavier and driving the Merc is a different experience.

 

[Glen4X4]

Welcome To Explorer Forum, the ball joints in these trucks aren't too bad to do yourself. You may have seen the sticky's at the top of the stock 1995-2001 forum that shows you the process of changing them out.

 

[cjleete]

Oh yeah, and the NAPA man doesn't know everything, when I went to get the ball joints they told me the bottoms were unitized and only came as a complete assembly, I saw this and learned the truth and went back and got the press-in ball joints and some money refunded back. >

 

[Glen4X4]

Yeah....they don't always know everything....

 

[OneLever]

You picked a great vehicle! All you'll need is a press and some hand tools to get those lower ball joints done. When doing the upper ones you'll have to replace the upper control arms because they can't be pressed out. There is an updated design for the right upper control arm which is made of one piece instead of the stock two piece. You will also need the Moog eccentric camber bolts (one set for each side) to go with the new upper control arms.

If you get decent new upper control arms I believe you will be able to press them out in the future. But the cheap ones may have to be replaced as an assembly again. Try to get ones with grease fittings.

 

[cjleete]

I have the new ones with the grease fittings. A good shop in town is doing the work, I tore a tendon in my right arm so I'm out of commission.

 

[Cjpooch]

Hope you and the truck are back in commission soon, welcome. I'm a newbie myself. First Explorer for me. Loving the vehicle and the online community a ton so far.

 

[cjleete]

I just got it back from Tread Quarters in Norfolk. One of the few honest shops I've found around here. It is now in better shape than I am. Runs and drives like new.

 

[lynchy wa]

Now that's a feel good story! Welcome and hope your arm gets better soon. Maybe you could chuck up a few pic's of your mounty?

 

[sean99]

The thing has a V8, and is light as hell, so I have found I must be gentle on the gas pedal when taking off.

Welcome...Sounds like your front drive line may be missing, or there might be an issue with your transfer case.

 

[cjleete]

I did say I was used to a much heavier vehicle..

 

[sean99]

ok