Project Hazey

[donalds]

@donalds Thanks-o, you the man! That's what I've been looking for. G-switch is the magic word I didn't know. I read the whole thread, interestingly never encountered the issue with the pedal shudder/pulse on either of my Ex's. Currently reading the article linked in the thread, this is good information.

Hay if I can help I will help its my nature

 

[DintDobbs]

Well, I've run into a problem.

I swapped Hazey's G-switch for the "known good" one from the Vulture to see what happened.

First test drive: The Vulture. Ran to parts store, scanned for ABS codes. Pretty sure it was hooked up correctly, because it still pulled The Vulture's OBDII DTC's fine, but The Vulture's ABS codes were gone (will cross post in The Vulture's thread). The Vulture's 4WD lights still flashed.

Second test drive: Hazey. Ran to the parts store again, scanned for ABS codes again. ABS still disabled, same codes as before. So, I'm positively certain that the G-switch is not the problem.

Accel switch circuit is still broken, though, which means I've got some more investigation to do to solve that C1102. Hopefully the new rear center VSS will fix the C1230.

I've got an idea though, and that idea is that if there is a break in the wire somewhere, that could be triggering both codes, despite both sensors being good. Time to check out some wiring diagrams.

 

[donalds]

I've got an idea though, and that idea is that if there is a break in the wire somewhere, that could be triggering both codes, despite both sensors being good. Time to check out some wiring diagrams.

Indeed

 

[DintDobbs]

Swapped in a new rear center VSS, re-enabled ABS. Tested it, and it works. Easy fix.

Went to the parts store and cleared the ABS codes, will check back in a week or so and see if the C1102 has returned. (It should. I didn't mess with that.)

On to the parking brake... PowerStop shoes and Motorcraft hardware.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Swapped in a new rear center VSS, re-enabled ABS. Tested it, and it works. Easy fix.

Went to the parts store and cleared the ABS codes, will check back in a week or so and see if the C1102 has returned. (It should. I didn't mess with that.)

On to the parking brake... PowerStop shoes and Motorcraft hardware.

the power stop hardware was hard to get in, let us know how the MC hardware is.

 

[DintDobbs]

@Fix4Dirt It's a pain in the hands, back, and butt! Worked on it for 4 hours until it got dark, with help from my ma to guide the front retainer spring into the loop on the shoe, using the spring hook/flat screw driver method. Guess how many of those hours were spent on that front retainer spring... and we still didn't get it on. I damaged the back retainer spring getting it in, but don't care much because it's still really stinkin' tight.

Gonna try angled needle-nose pliers before buying a spring tool, since I've got some, but I'll probably destroy those like I did the spring hook. Why don't they make the suspension out of these springs, it would be a lot lighter.

The old one was a pain to get off, but the hardware seemed to be in good shape, except for the 2-piece lever needing a touch of grease. Might try tearing it back apart to put one of the old retainer springs in, in place of the damaged new one... but, "Having come this far, it seems a pity to waste it."

 

[Fix4Dirt]

@Fix4Dirt It's a pain in the hands, back, and butt! Worked on it for 4 hours until it got dark, with help from my ma to guide the front retainer spring into the loop on the shoe, using the spring hook/flat screw driver method. Guess how many of those hours were spent on that front retainer spring... and we still didn't get it on. I damaged the back retainer spring getting it in, but don't care much because it's still really stinkin' tight.

Gonna try angled needle-nose pliers before buying a spring tool, since I've got some, but I'll probably destroy those like I did the spring hook. Why don't they make the suspension out of these springs, it would be a lot lighter.

The old one was a pain to get off, but the hardware seemed to be in good shape, except for the 2-piece lever needing a touch of grease. Might try tearing it back apart to put one of the old retuner springs in, in place of the damaged new one... but, "Having come this far, it seems a pity to waste it."

yep, i dislike them all lol!!!!!! just the power stop hardware seemed abnormally challenging

 

[DintDobbs]

@Fix4Dirt In comparison to the Motorcraft? I can't imagine it being much harder than this. And this is coming from a guy who breaks hammers, bends breaker bars, and splits sockets.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

@Fix4Dirt In comparison to the Motorcraft? I can't imagine it being much harder than this. And this is coming from a guy who breaks hammers, bends breaker bars, and splits sockets.

id have to go back and see (which, lets be honest, i wont really cause that was tough enough) but i think the power stop was harder than MC

 

[DintDobbs]

Bought some needle nose vise grips and kicked the spring's butt in a second, went over to the other side and threw the whole assembly together in like 15 minutes... and noticed what made the first side so difficult.

My little scissors lever is seized up, partially open. Whacked on it from a few different sides with a few different tools, after drenching it with WD-40 overnight, and it still won't move. I've seen other threads with this issue, and will probably junkyard a replacement or just order new.

Also observed that the left rear brake caliper is floppy, anybody know what's up with that? The right side caliper is stiff.

 

[CDW6212R]

Good work. I love my needle nose Visegrips, it has been wonderful for many tasks over the 30+ years I've had it.

 

[donalds]

Bought some needle nose vise grips and kicked the spring's butt in a second, went over to the other side and threw the whole assembly together in like 15 minutes... and noticed what made the first side so difficult.

My little scissors lever is seized up, partially open. Whacked on it from a few different sides with a few different tools, after drenching it with WD-40 overnight, and it still won't move. I've seen other threads with this issue, and will probably junkyard a replacement or just order new.

Also observed that the left rear brake caliper is floppy, anybody know what's up with that? The right side caliper is stiff.

Might be time for some new caliper pins

 

[DintDobbs]

@donalds Probably, but for now I threw it all back together so I could drive it again. Half a parking brake is fine for a week or two, and I'll have to take the caliper off to get in there and replace the scissors lever any way.

 

[DintDobbs]

Welp, the last week or so I've been noticing a very faint, but distinct, rattle coming from behind the dash, between the RPM's of about 1700-2200... I haven't the means to record it, but if it's what I'm thinking that it could be, then my free days are numbered.

 

[CDW6212R]

Maybe it's time for an upgrade, we haven't had a new V8 swap thread in a while.

 

[DemonMudder]

Maybe it's time for an upgrade, we haven't had a new V8 swap thread in a while.

Hes right, I got to say, if it is what it is, it ain't a bad idea. Worth it in the end for upgradability and longevity in the end

 

[DintDobbs]

@CDW6212R @DemonMudder Perhaps a good suggestion, but not within my means or intentions. IF it is the timing chain, I think that a full rebuild would be worth the cost. I've driven an Explorer with the V8 and I honestly don't care for the torque control. If the first SOHC lasted 220k, I'd dump a fat $5k for another 220k miles. Even though I could get a V8 Explorer for half that price... ha ha!

I have a theory however, that it could simply be a loose clip or connector, or something else that I knocked loose when disabling the air bags. I'll exhaust my other options before entertaining it too much.

 

[CDW6212R]

I do like the SOHC, I loved mine when it was running(trans is down right now), but the V8 is just a level above in reliability, the trans too.


I will have to do something about my spare SUV since the fuel tank became rusted and garbage caused a bad miss. I don't like the current pricing to rebuild an engine, it's nuts what basic machine work costs these days. So it's almost feasible to drop a late model 3.7/6R80 into it, if I am brave enough and can figure out how to do it.

So try to maintain what you have now as the lowest cost path, but be ready for any other choices, to cost more money.

 

[CDW6212R]

@CDW6212R @DemonMudder Perhaps a good suggestion, but not within my means or intentions. IF it is the timing chain, I think that a full rebuild would be worth the cost. I've driven an Explorer with the V8 and I honestly don't care for the torque control. If the first SOHC lasted 220k, I'd dump a fat $5k for another 220k miles. Even though I could get a V8 Explorer for half that price... ha ha!

I have a theory however, that it could simply be a loose clip or connector, or something else that I knocked loose when disabling the air bags. I'll exhaust my other options before entertaining it too much.

I hope it is something else minor. But if it is the valvetrain, do it soon, the parts cost can be under $500, the labor is variable based on local costs.

 

[DemonMudder]

@CDW6212R @DemonMudder Perhaps a good suggestion, but not within my means or intentions. IF it is the timing chain, I think that a full rebuild would be worth the cost. I've driven an Explorer with the V8 and I honestly don't care for the torque control. If the first SOHC lasted 220k, I'd dump a fat $5k for another 220k miles.

I have a theory however, that it could simply be a loose clip or connector, or something else that I knocked loose when disabling the air bags. I'll exhaust my other options before entertaining it too much.

I agree, check everything else first, I did on mine! Though I didnt get that lucky, still hoping to have it fixed to give to my brother as his first truck. Though hopefully I can steal it back off him later on lol
To be fair, as said, the V8 swap ain't a bad idea, but I wasnt going that route either, I was and still am more keen or just fixing the SOHC for another 227k miles before doing that. I liked the SOHC, may not be a V8 but it still had plenty of power for me! Hopefully wont be that expensive for ya, everything where I'm at estimated $2-2.5k (from timing chains only, to full rebuilds or full sohc engine swaps), so hopefully it's still similarly priced for ya if it does take that turn. But as said, fingers crossed and hoping it's something simple