Worth Fixing? Need help from my fellow loyalists! :)

[4x4sport2001]

Need some input...I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 (not the sport trac, the 2 door). It has about 70,500 miles on it...in that last year or so I have put new ball joints and 4 new cooper tires, front stabilizer bar, along with miscellaneous fixes (door actuator, getting the locks cleaned out etc)...NOW they are telling me I have leak in my rear link bar(i think they called it that), a very minor oil leak in engine and that my shocks and i think struts are going..( when i let up on theh break when stopped or get in and out it makes an obnoxious creak/squeeking in front end)....Also telling me my rear pads and rotors are almost gone!....do ya'll think that it is worth fixing?? What should it cost me to have that done? And do you think that the struts and shocks coudl be the cause of that noise??

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INPUT! I am not as good at fixing these as admiring them. haha

 

[IAmTodd]

I would fix it up. Shocks can be had for cheap. I believe I got mine for around $160 at sears. They were the monroe sensa-tracs. Decent shock for the money. Shocks are easily replaced. Just search the site, there's a how-to thread on it. You may want to look into getting the front sway bar bushings replaced. Energy suspensions has a front end kit for around $30.

Rear brakes are around $30 for mid grade ones. Rotors are around the same price and very easy to replace.

The oil leak, if its not to bad and you keep a good eye on it I would leave alone until it becomes worse. It also depends on where it is coming from.

With basic hand tools and a good jack, you should be able to do the work yourself(minus the oil leak) and save yourself a ton.

Good luck!

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Find out what they meant by the leak in the rear? If it's just your differential leaking than you can fix that easily. If it's your axle seals, that can be done pretty easily as well

-Drew

 

[4x4sport2001]

not handy!

Thanks Drew for your reply i DO appreciate it very much
I am not handy at ALL were talking, cant change my oil..i know i know it's sad.........what do you think a shop SHOULD charge to do all that? thanks all!

 

[11lariat]

do you have a friend who's savvy who can show you/help you? If you can do this yourself you'll save so much money..

even if you can't its definitely worth it to put the money into the truck

good luck

 

[ma96782]

Don't forget the Haynes or Chilton manual.........INVESTMENTS for the DIY guy.

Aloha,Mark

 

[JasonF]

You need to do some investigating to see what is really the problem.

I have had dealers tell me several times on various vehicles that I am due for brakes soon, but when I pull the wheel and look for myself I have at least half the pad left. So take a look at your back brakes and see where they are at. If they are original and at 70k miles then they probably are due.

Get a friend to inspect the front end for this squeak while you get in and out or whatever. Is it the ball joints? I had one that squeaked really loud. You can isolate a squeak by putting your hand on the part, you'll be able to feel the vibration. Watch those fingers!

Look under the engine and figure out where the leak is coming from. How much oil do you have to add to keep it topped off, and how often?

You can get a much better price on shocks from Sears usually. Buy 3 get 1 free, etc. They are a relatively easy DIY project if you have the desire to learn and save some money.

Jason

 

[4x4sport2001]

Thanks for your help all! I can't see the leak myself in the engine and do routine oil..nothing new......i have new ball joints and stabilizer so it cant be that....they told me my bushings are warped though??? UGH!