Which Repair Manual?

[LVmounty]

I am looking into getting a repair manual for my 03 mountaineer and wanted to get some opinions on which one to get. I found one on ebay that appears to be the "Ford Workshop Maual" for my year. These tend to be $80-$150 which is much more than that Haines repair manual you can pick up at the local auto parts store. Does anyone have one of these "Ford workshop manuals" and are they worth the extra cost? Thanks for the imput!

 

[1_v8_merc]

Are they even ALLOWED to sell Dealership shop manuals?
I used to work at a chevy dealership and I heard they were strict property of car manufacturers and not to distributed and sold outside of there....???


I've gotten my hands on a few Ford dealership manuals, they are ALOT better than the Haynes and Chilton manuals, for sure.


I bought a Chiltons manual for my 04 Mountaineer, and it SUCKS......got from autozone for $15.
(the book pretty much sucks, but something is better than nothing)

Yet, i also have some older Chiltons manuals from the early 90's, and they are EXCELLENT.




ALSO, be careful when reading torque specs from some of these Haynes/Chiltons manuals, OCCASIONALLY the Torque specs and bolt patterns can be Incorrect or Not Updated as frequently as Ford Manuals.
(as the case with my mustang book)
(so if you're doing moderate to heavy engine work, ALWAYS goto a dealership to get the specs or atleast check numerous books and CD's first)

 

[jrford]

I would go with the Dealership or Factory Service Manual, its a must if you plan on keeping it and fixing it. I would also get both, one is the body and the other is the wiring and schematics, for both i paid $200 for the paper, over 1,500 pages of invaluable info.
Sometimes you can find them on CD, but i rather use a book over the engine than a laptop. . imo. . of course you can print the pages. Also they pop up on fleabay too.

 

[5.0B2]

I use both Chiltons and the factory service manuals (got them both very reasonably priced - used - on Ebay)

 

[5.0B2]

In the back of your owners manual there is information for buying new factory manuals

 

[EasyRhino]

For all of my long term owned vehicles (after I'm sure to keep them) I buy the factory repair manuals, which are identical to the dealership repair shops, and very expensive.

They are available from Helm, inc (I think they're still in Michigan). Do an internet search. Been there for years. As a matter of fact, I've been buying thier stuff for over 25 years. I can justify the cost as I do all my own wrenching, and save on repairs, and keep (certain) vehicles a long time.

Just bought a set for my Corvette, three books a total of about 6" high stack, total of about $150 and well worth it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Haynes & Chilton are more general manuals. The factory manuals are more specific, but cost more. Look around EBay. You might get a good deal.