Trevor Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 What a b1tch. Sorry for the veterinarial term.... but I was under a Ford Explorer all day swapping a chewed up rear axle bearing. It was going wum wum wum so i went to the JY and pulled an axle ($14.05) without a "groove" worn into it like my 253,000 mile original. Explorer axles are like Mustang c-clip axles as far as diameter (don't know about length) While a Ranger / Bronco II axle is much thinner. But the lug pattern is like a Ranger (5 x 4.5") not like a F-150 wheel bolt pattern. That project went pretty well, then the "while I'm at it" syndrome kicked up. AS long as I have 2 wheels removed for bearings, re-filling the Diff. punkin, etc. I may as well rotate the tires and change the rear shocks.... I've been suffering with bouncy shocks and had 2 new Gabriel Gas SUVs for a month waiting for a warm day like today. A quarter of the way into that adventure we find the lower thru-bolt in both shocks had rusted solid to the sleeve in the shock "eye" so the first one went like a molar extraction. Only not as much fun. I used one of my good Craftsman screwdrivers like a chisel -because the blade was the right width- to knock away the carbonized rubber, then cut the bolt in 2 places with a die grinder and my last 3" cut-off wheel. A the end there wasn't enough wheel diameter left to cut thru the other bolt, so i left the old shock alone until after this week's trip to Harbor Freight. Test drive went well, no noisy rear end! I didn't try any bumpy roads so not sure how this old/new shock arrangement is going to ride/handle. If you see a early green Explorer doing the electric slide around Richmond, VA this week wave graciously and allow some clearance OK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Ah, but the test drive afterward is so rewarding not hearing the dreaded noises anymore! I know the feeling and I love actually fixing something and seeing the reward at the end. Had to work on the house today *sigh* but at least I have a new kitchen window!! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 73TPIZ Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 so the first one went like a molar extraction. Only not as much fun. Heard that saying before but it never gets old. Funny stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.