making ground wires

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Mar 4, 2003 | 10:20 PM

ecube

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From: Houston

making ground wires

I will be replacing the ground wires on my '88 Bronco f/s, and need to know how to make them. The auto part store sold me 10 gauge primary wires and PVC ring terminals. Will this work? Do I need to solder them in there? Sorry, but I am completely new at this. TIA!

Mar 4, 2003 | 10:32 PM

Mike W

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From: Central Kali

making ground wires

Unless you are talking about the battery to ground cable, these should be fine. I like to solder where moisture may be a problem. How many grounds are you talking about?

Mar 4, 2003 | 10:44 PM

ecube

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From: Houston

making ground wires

I don't know for sure (clueless), and right now I'm doing a search on how others are doing this. I see that some places sell crimp ends.

Mar 4, 2003 | 10:52 PM

steve83

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From: Memphis, TN

making ground wires

What makes you think you NEED to replace any wire? At most, you just need to detach, clean, and reinstall them tightly. A Haynes manual shows all the grounds on the truck, so that's what you should be buying. It's only ~$12.

Mar 4, 2003 | 11:01 PM

ecube

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From: Houston

making ground wires

Well, it may not be a need on the Bronco. But I've also got a 1990 Mazda RX-7 GTU n/a that NEEDs extra grounds to cure the 3800 rpm hesitation problem. So, I figured I'd just do both while I was at it. And, yes, I've got the Haynes and Chiltons. I've just never soldered in my life.

Mar 4, 2003 | 11:04 PM

steve83

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From: Memphis, TN

making ground wires

The keys to soldering are: get both parts to be connected ABOVE the melting temp of the solder at the same time; keep them and the soldering iron clean (sandpaper before and a wet sponge during); and tin the mating surfaces (wet them with hot solder) before attempting to make the actual connection.

Mar 4, 2003 | 11:19 PM

ecube

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From: Houston

making ground wires

Thanks so much. Besides basic tune-ups, I've never done any work on my vehicles (typical female in the city). But after the last fiasco with the mechanics on the RX-7, I decided to go thru them bumper to bumper and do as much as I can on my own because I want to keep them.