repair work, need some pointers

[JatZilla]

Hi Everyone, I've been away from this board for a long time now. Hope everyone's doing well!!

I need to work on my '98 4x4 Explorer again and this is what all needs to be done(as per the dealer):

1) Front pinion seal is leaking - $158
>> What are the parts that need to be replaced? Is it a DIY job? Any special tools needed?

2) Rear Transfer Case Speed sensor seal is leaking - $181
>> What are the parts that need to be replaced? Is it a DIY job?

3) Power steering flush

4) Coolant Flush

5) Engine (serpentine) belt needs to be changed

6) Spark plugs

7) Oxygen sensor replacement – part # F88Z9F472EA
>> Any special tools needed?

8) Transmission and differential fluids

Since I'm broke as usual, I'd like to attempt doing all of this myself. I should be able to handle most of these things but if anyone can give me pointers on 1), 2) and 7), I would really appreciate it! I do have a Haynes Service Manual for my truck.

TIA

 

[jimbo74]

you need an 02 sensor socket available at the local parts store in a 7/8" size for the o2 sensor....

 

[fvumbaca]

i have the same manuel...and if your going to change the transmition fliud and filter....just a pionter if you dont know it already...the cat and the front drive shaft is in the way...you have to take the drive shaft out of the way to get the pan out so you change the filter and clean out the pan

 

[fvumbaca]

oh yeah i should mention this...dont count on that manuel sometimes it doesnt tell you all the info you need to know....but this board seems to fill in all that info...

just out of curiousity have you ever done any of these jobs on your explorer in the past? because i've done most of those jobs on other cars (which was really easy) but when it came to my x the jobs where a little more harder...there is a bunch of tricks you need to know to make it a hell of a lot easier...
hope the info helps!
and good luck

 

[BradE.]

2) Rear Transfer Case Speed sensor seal is leaking - $181

Haha, what a ripoff. It's a pretty easy job. You will need to drain the transfer case (not a big deal). There are 2 plugs one is on the left side at the bottom and says "DRAIN" real big next to it. The fill plug is on the upper right of the case, just below the speed sensor. Take the fill plug out first, that way you won't drain the case only to find out the fill plug is seized. Make sure you have a pan under the T-Case to catch all the fluid that will come out.

After you are all drained removed the sensor, it's right above the fill plug. I am not sure if you can buy just the seal, you might need to replace the whole thing. It's still a hell of a lot less than $181. Put new sensor/seal in, hook up the electrical connections (just a plug). Replace drain plug and refill transfer case with Mercon ATF. It's a little less than 2 quarts. I got 2 quarts of Pennzoil Mercon ATF at Target for less than $4 total. You won't be able to pour the fluid in because you can't tip the bottle up tha far. I used a squirt bolttle, like an old style plastic ketchup bottle, to squirt the fluid in. Keep adding fluid until it start to run out the fill hole. Reinstall the fill plug. Presto, your done. Plus just saved some serious $$$.

Good Luck!



EDIT: I *think* the sensors are around $70-$75. You will probably need to replace the whole thing to get the seal. Plus $5 for ATF. That's a hellva lot cheaper than $181. Dealers suck.

 

[tenikiwon]

where can you get replacement seals or speed sensors?

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by BradE.
Haha, what a ripoff. It's a pretty easy job.

Good Luck!



EDIT: I *think* the sensors are around $70-$75. You will probably need to replace the whole thing to get the seal. Plus $5 for ATF. That's a hellva lot cheaper than $181. Dealers suck.

Its even more of a ripoff than you think. I just bought the driveshaft speed sensor for mine a couple of months ago and it was $32.59 plus tax at the dealer. I tried to get the o-ring just by itself (mine was leaking also) but they didn't have it at the dealer or at Napa, so I bought the whole sensor to get an o-ring that didn't leak.

This thread may be useful if you have to replace the sensor:

Dead Link Removed

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by JatZilla
Hi Everyone, I've been away from this board for a long time now. Hope everyone's doing well!!

I need to work on my '98 4x4 Explorer again and this is what all needs to be done(as per the dealer):

1) Front pinion seal is leaking - $158
>> What are the parts that need to be replaced? Is it a DIY job? Any special tools needed?

2) Rear Transfer Case Speed sensor seal is leaking - $181
>> What are the parts that need to be replaced? Is it a DIY job?


7) Oxygen sensor replacement – part # F88Z9F472EA
>> Any special tools needed?



Since I'm broke as usual, I'd like to attempt doing all of this myself. I should be able to handle most of these things but if anyone can give me pointers on 1), 2) and 7), I would really appreciate it! I do have a Haynes Service Manual for my truck.

TIA

My truck also needed 1) and 2). I let the dealer do both of these just before the warrenty ran out. I ended up doing 2) again 50k miles later because the dealer tech did a half assed repair by putting sealent on the outside of the sensor instead of replacing the o-ring.

I would probably let the dealer do 1) for $158. The reason for this is that you will need a two jaw puller to remove companion flange from the pinion, a seal puller to remove the seal, a seal installation tool to replace the new seal, a beam type torque wrench to measure preload on the pinion both before removing the companion flange and while reinstalling it, and a tool to hold the companion flange from rotating while appling preload. Also, I believe that you must replace the collapseable spacer when you reinstall the companion flange. For $158, I would let them do all of this.

Do 2) yourself, BradE. describes it in good detail. All you will need is metric sockets to fit the one bolt (10mm socket I think) which holds the sensor into the case and to remove the skid plate below the t-case. Worst case it costs $40 to do yourself, if you can find just the o-ring you will be out ~$8 ($7 for ATF, $1 for o-ring)

7) Should be relatively easy, I replaced the O2 sensor on my Ranger without needing any special tools, as I recall. If you do need a special socket, they are available at most auto parts stores.

 

[mikeh]

One correction to BradE's statements. I believe since you are a 98 that you need the 140W70 with friction modifier. You can buy it from Ford all together. You should have a tag hanging off your differential that tells the required fluid.

I would also suggest tackling 1 or 2 jobs at a time on the weekend. That way if you mess something up you can easily point to the problem. I wrote a pretty good description of the plug change at the link below

Dead Link Removed

I would also recommend doing everything except for number 1 yourself.

Good Luck,
mikeh

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by mikeh
One correction to BradE's statements. I believe since you are a 98 that you need the 140W70 with friction modifier. You can buy it from Ford all together. You should have a tag hanging off your differential that tells the required fluid.


Good Luck,
mikeh

Wasn't BradE's post talking about the transfer case? I'm pretty sure that you use ATF in the transfer case. I wouldn't use gear oil without triple checking this because it may cause problems with the clutch pack in the t-case.

75W140 synthetic is used in some of the rear differentials. It should tell you in the owner's manual which type of fluid you need for the front, rear diff and t-case.

 

[BradE.]

Yes, I was talking about the Transfer Case. Ford T-Cases call for Mercon ATF, not gear oil.

 

[Opera House]

Seal on transfer case sensor

Is just an O-ring. I just bought an assorted O-ring kit (225 of them) for $4. I've also paid as much as $18 for a kit with some larger ones in it too. These are always handy around cars. Also bought the rear output shaft seal for the transfer case for under $10 at NAPA, if this is the one they are talking about. On line transmission filters are a deal even when you include shipping.

 

[dogfriend]

Re: Seal on transfer case sensor

Originally posted by Opera House
Is just an O-ring.

You are right, however, the original o-ring on mine had a strange cross-section; it wasn't round, it was more square with a four lobed cross-section. Neither the guy at the Ford parts counter or the Napa parts guy had any clue about a replacement and I was running out of time because the Ford parts place was about to close, so I bit the bullet and bought the whole sensor.

When I looked at the new sensor, the o-ring was round in cross-section like any other o-ring and was blue in color. Apparently Ford recognized the problem at some point and made a change. I don't think the material is the typical o-ring that you find at the hardware store; it is probably more resistent to ATF.

In retrospect, I would recommend just finding a normal o-ring that is close in size to the original (a little fatter in cross-section) and give it a try. The worst that will happen is that it may still leak, but it isn't a difficult job so you would just try again with another o-ring. Lots cheaper than a new sensor and you will skip the hassle of removing the wires from the connector shell.