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[IraqVet07]

Name is Jeremy from Fredericksburg, va. Did 8yrs in the army & national guard until NC decided to discharge me for PTSD, Now currently working FULL time at advance auto parts (looking to go commercial parts pro here soon), been with the company since Oct 2006. Anyways, Came onto the site looking to do some research to troubleshoot my girls 98 ford explorer 4x4 OHV automatic.

I come from an import background (flamesuit on!)

91 eagle talon tsi 457awhp on 25psi stock block 5speed FPhta88 turbo & I've owned 3 honda civics (cake to work on by the way lol).

Now for the explorer (been trying to sell it) but it keeps having issues that need to be fixed.

1st off upper & lower balljoints
-I work at advance auto parts (are the oe brand balljoints worth using on this vehicle) I know moog is better but she doesnt have alot of money & Im not up for coming out of pocket just going to do the work.
-I found the DIY threads (big help)

2nd is 4wd
-Being told its making a clunking noise, she seems to think 4wd actuator. She is on her 3rd transmission (more so cause the transmission guy is not someone i would take anything of MINE too)
-What are somethings to check to start troubleshooting the cause? Ask some more questions & i can get more information on this 'noise', kinda lost at this.

Thanks in advance

Jeremy

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! The transmissions & transfer cases section on this site is loaded with useful information. Start with the sticky threads on the top of that section.

 

[IraqVet07]

Thanks that'll work i haven't made it that far yet!

 

[IraqVet07]

Its coming from the left driverside front, loud thumping noise really bad when you turn left & even when you drive forward you hear it, like a loud banging metal noise.

Ideas i have are bad Ujoints, axle(s) or 4wd being stuck (actuator or switch are bad)

Any thoughts?

 

[1Aauto]

welcome to the site.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[IraqVet07]

thanks alot.

 

[IraqVet07]

Got upper & lower ball joints replaced a little over a week ago, wasn't as bad as i had thought a little tricky w/ the camber bolts on the driver side UCA. But a bigger hammer worked wonderfully. lol.

Now as far as doing plugs & wires on this thing.. (mind you im an import guy.. talon, eclipse 4g63 motors & owned a bunch of hondas) which are all simple as far as plugs & wires are concerned.

I got motorcraft plugs so no worries there but Trying to find a DIY write up seems to be a pitty on here, or i just haven't looked in the right place yet. Any help is appriecated. Its on a 98 4x4 4.0 engine VIN E soo OHC i do believe it is to be. I've never had to do plugs/wires on anything other than my list of vehicles above lol.

BTW is for my girls truck.