Blackhawkxx
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 11, 2019
- Messages
- 342
- Reaction score
- 128
- City, State
- S.W. Pa
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2008 Explorer XLT 4.0
I finished installing a new Ford brand radiator in my 2008 Explorer and thought I would post a tip or two about it because I have used much information from here since I got the 08. Before the rad, I had to replace the thermostat housing and took the advise to use the metal one instead of the plastic one and it is so much better. If you got the $$, go with the metal one. Anyway I knew that the rad wasn't going to be super easy to change but I feared getting the transmission lines off it and yep, that is what gave me the trouble. I didn't want to unscrew the fittings on the lines and put them in my not so cheap new Ford rad but I couldn't get them off even with the correct wrench while pushing the line in. So I did unscrew them on the lines and changed the rad but didn't hook up the trans lines.
I called my son who is a pro mechanic and after messing with them a couple of minutes, asked for a small hammer. He used the hammer to tap the wrench all the way in until it was fully seating all around and it came apart. I was lead to believe that there are flat metal tangs in the fitting that holds the line on (per the internet) but that was not the case on my Ford brand rad. It has a split metal ring that is strong and makes the tool hard to fully get in. Anyway it always makes things easier to know what is inside and you can't see with the line on.
Removing that rad is about taking your time but the major thing that isn't apparent that I found out on here was that you have to loosen the two 10mm bolts that hold the air cond condenser to the side rails by tilling the rad toward the engine so you can see them. Then you lift the condenser up out of the rubber inserts. When putting the new rad in, it would have been helpful to have a second set of hands to get the rails, rad, condenser all in proper placement but I managed. So read the step by step others have posted and put it with my 2 cents and good luck.
I called my son who is a pro mechanic and after messing with them a couple of minutes, asked for a small hammer. He used the hammer to tap the wrench all the way in until it was fully seating all around and it came apart. I was lead to believe that there are flat metal tangs in the fitting that holds the line on (per the internet) but that was not the case on my Ford brand rad. It has a split metal ring that is strong and makes the tool hard to fully get in. Anyway it always makes things easier to know what is inside and you can't see with the line on.
Removing that rad is about taking your time but the major thing that isn't apparent that I found out on here was that you have to loosen the two 10mm bolts that hold the air cond condenser to the side rails by tilling the rad toward the engine so you can see them. Then you lift the condenser up out of the rubber inserts. When putting the new rad in, it would have been helpful to have a second set of hands to get the rails, rad, condenser all in proper placement but I managed. So read the step by step others have posted and put it with my 2 cents and good luck.
