What Did You Do To Your 3rd Gen Today?

[lincolnshibuya]

Removed my steering rack this afternoon, what a piece of work. Just can't think of ways on how to thank the engineers for not making this any easier. The intermediate shaft bolt is just so hard to reach (or even see) What's worst I have to remove the lower control arm on the driver side to remove the steering gear, run several snags with both bolts (front lower control arm and shock absorber)so rusted I have to heat them. I was able to remove the steering gear by just removing the front lower control arm bolt and jacking up the knuckle to lower it and give some clearance to pull it out.

Both boots are soaked with transmission fluid and Lucas can't fix it anymore. The inner tie rods are also very loose. The passenger side tie rods is in bad shape too. Upon closer inspection, the front driver shock is leaking (OEM) looks like another project on the way. Got to continue finish the replacement tomorrow.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Completed a decent little project. Pulled this out:

Installed new upper control arms, and Rancho Quick Lift loaded struts all the way around:

Looked like this before:

Now it looks like this:

 

[Tyleryac]

What kind of struts did you get?

 

[ThomasG]

I gave Dora (my daughter named it) my 02 limited some much needed rear end tlc in the form of new quick struts and a complete brake job including EBrake shoes. Figured out why my rear drivers rim was getting hot all the time. The ebrake pads had come off the shoes and were grinding inside the rotor,not good. Thank god for online tutorials.

 

[Sock Puppet]

What kind of struts did you get?

Rancho quick lifts. Pricey, but not terrible. Mine were due, so it wasn't much of a stretch to upgrade.

 

[lincolnshibuya]

Called my buddy up to help me place the new steering rack, can't be done placing the intermediate shaft and the bolt back without another set of hands securing the rack in a good position to slide it in. Got concerned when bleeding it takes forever while steering shakes badly while turning left to right and vice-versa (I thought the rack was defective) Finally all air came out and smooth things out. Going for an alignment.

 

[Joe in NY]

gave it a wash and now its covered in little spots. But the road dirt is gone....

 

[Sock Puppet]

OK...so I blew the Explorer budget today. After installing my Rancho quick lifts, I wasn't satisfied with the look of the 245/75-16 tires. After using them a bit in the rain, sand, and a little bit of mud, I wasn't thrilled with their performance, either. I shouldn't have tried to be cheap; should have bought what I wanted right out of the gate.

Discount Tire Direct on Ebay is running a special right now where you get $100 off of purchases over $400. You can use the discount code up to 3 times. So I ordered a pair of Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx tires in 265/75-16 for $402 minus $100 = $302. Then I ordered another pair. Total for all for = $604. Pretty darned good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310901803672?item=310901803672&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:US:3160&vxp=mtr

I wasn't done. I decided to order a set of (4) MB Motoring TKO wheels for $454 minus $100 = $354.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360885330758?item=360885330758&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:US:3160&vxp=mtr

Total for 4 wheels and tires was $958 w/free shipping. Not too shabby.

 

[Joe in NY]

What do you guys do for alignment?

I got the firestone lifetime alignment (per vehicle). I got it for $150. They normally charge $75 or so... Plus they usually have very good equipment. Firestone in daytona fl had just bought the best on the market alignment machine. Don't know how much better it is vs others but, its new haha.

 

[Sock Puppet]

I use a local suspension/off road/fleet shop where I know the owner. Been taking vehicles (personal and fleet ) there for about 17 years and I trust them completely.

 

[Tyleryac]

What do you guys do for alignment?

I got the firestone lifetime alignment (per vehicle). I got it for $150. They normally charge $75 or so... Plus they usually have very good equipment. Firestone in daytona fl had just bought the best on the market alignment machine. Don't know how much better it is vs others but, its new haha.

I go to my local STS for an alignment. I typically get an alignment when I get new tires or every other year.

 

[omagasohe]

Replaced a blend door Actuator, which means i'm going to remove all my seats now for cleaning.

Found and removed a tracking device/remote Kill that looks like it was installed by a 2 year old with 2 rolls of electrical tape and 200 feet of wire. they added enough wire to put the relay in the passenger seat.

last month it was pas front tie rods, front brakes and rotors, sway bar end links(bushings are next) and the rear drivers quick strut(broken spring). Got to love virginia's inspections. Thanks to Rock Auto and This forum, I started at 1600, and slid in at 500 with the alignment and them doing the labor for the quick strut.

Next month PS Pump and Pas front bearing, which i can do my self because of this forum.

So thanks to everyone here that post so much useful info. I have saved thousand upon thousands of dollars doing my own repairs.

 

[CAZM]

Bought one

Bought an 05 Explorer XLT sport yesterday

 

[Sock Puppet]

Bought an 05 Explorer XLT sport yesterday

Congrats! Post up some pics.

 

[CAZM]

dont know how to from a camera

it won't let me from my camera

 

[Tyleryac]

Sprayed all the rubber bushings with AT-205

 

[lincolnshibuya]

I finally decided to just replace my front shocks before heading for a alignment. Grabbed a pair of Monroe Reflex shock on advance auto ($142 for both) and borrowed their spring compressor. I can't take out the driver side front shock bolt, it got seized (rusted to the core) Decided to just cut the shock and deal with it later. Got it removed and transferred the coil over to the new one. Did the passenger side, bolt came out OK and transferred the coil over. Passenger side all bolted up fine. Going back to the driver side, it's an unfinished business. My buddy and I just grinded up the bolt last night and has to continue this week. I contacted the dealership for the replacement bolt and it was freaking expensive, $40! Went to ACE Lake hardware and they have one but it's too short. Went to my nearest junkyard and pull the bolt out easily, it was free when I checked out

I thought I'm the only who ran into this issue, my neighbor's 2004 has also the same issue when he decided to replace the front shocks, the drivers side seized and the shop has to use a torch to cut it. Unfortunately his CV boot got burned during the process. He finally noticed why it take me so long for such as simple task and was making noises to the truck like crazy. It does take 3hrs tops to finish both sides including the coil swap. A complete strut maybe could be done in an hour.

 

[Homer J]

Not today but last Friday, replaced the front rotors and pads, rotated the tires, plugged a hole left by a screw, reset tire pressurs, changed oil and filter.

 

[IPcamper]

Changed Trandfer case fuild

Last Saturday, I changed the transfer case fuild. The exlorer was chirpping it's front tires on slow tight turns, like the 4x4 was turned on. Based on what I read on this site, I decided to try the Royal Purple ATF fuild. Now the turns are smooth without any tire chirpping. I guess the old fuild was wearing out and not as slippery as it once was.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Returned from my business trip to wheels and tires sitting in the garage, and took a little time to throw 'em on.