What I found today
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 75
What I found today
Well today I thought I could just change the shocks and the front pads on my $850 1991 F150, but noooo! Pulled the front wheels to get at the front shocks and switch out the pads. The pads on the passenger side looked pretty good. One pad on the driver's side was half the thickness of the other. Aftet struggling to remove the caliper, found the piston in the caliper was not returning. Removed the old pads, bled out some fluid to return the piston, put the new pads on the driver's side and found a slight warp in the rotor. Oh, and the brake fluid has junk in it. The brake piston on the driver's side isn't leaking, just not returning.
The alignment also looks off after raising the front. Both front wheels towed in severly. Time to consult a brake and alignment shop.
The shocks were not horrible, but they were worn.. The truck sits an inch higher at least. I put on Monroe gas magnums. Hallelujah for my neighbor he had the 15mm and two 18mm wrenches needed to get the nuts off and on. Actually I would probably still be outside watching my truck burn to the ground without him. 🙃
And the last thing was to change the wiper blades, which I did, but now I think the wiper motor needs replacing...the arms like to stop after a few swipes.
One thing at a time.
The alignment also looks off after raising the front. Both front wheels towed in severly. Time to consult a brake and alignment shop.
The shocks were not horrible, but they were worn.. The truck sits an inch higher at least. I put on Monroe gas magnums. Hallelujah for my neighbor he had the 15mm and two 18mm wrenches needed to get the nuts off and on. Actually I would probably still be outside watching my truck burn to the ground without him. 🙃
And the last thing was to change the wiper blades, which I did, but now I think the wiper motor needs replacing...the arms like to stop after a few swipes.
One thing at a time.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,883
Likes: 2,447
One pad on the driver's side was half the thickness of the other. Aftet struggling to remove the caliper, found the piston in the caliper was not returning. Removed the old pads, bled out some fluid to return the piston, put the new pads on the driver's side and found a slight warp in the rotor. Oh, and the brake fluid has junk in it. The brake piston on the driver's side isn't leaking, just not returning.
The alignment also looks off after raising the front. Both front wheels towed in severly. Time to consult a brake and alignment shop.
And the last thing was to change the wiper blades, which I did, but now I think the wiper motor needs replacing...the arms like to stop after a few swipes.
One thing at a time.
The alignment also looks off after raising the front. Both front wheels towed in severly. Time to consult a brake and alignment shop.
And the last thing was to change the wiper blades, which I did, but now I think the wiper motor needs replacing...the arms like to stop after a few swipes.
One thing at a time.
Jacking up a TIB or TTB suspension and then lowering it back down will make it look like the alignment is off. Completely normal.
No idea how changing the blades could have affected the motor.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,500
Likes: 2,777
From: Northern Ontario
Sounds like a nice project on the go Moongypsy,
If I may make a suggestion, maybe start up a project thread from the beginning with pictures, helps keep continuity to everything rather than separate posts. Lot of good guys on here with suggestions and ideas to help out, and helps you keep track of it.
On the calipers, I’ve had internal corrosion in the bores make pistons stick, they will push out under pressure, but not return. Might be worth popping the piston out to have a look, or an exchange set of calipers to start with fresh.
If I may make a suggestion, maybe start up a project thread from the beginning with pictures, helps keep continuity to everything rather than separate posts. Lot of good guys on here with suggestions and ideas to help out, and helps you keep track of it.
On the calipers, I’ve had internal corrosion in the bores make pistons stick, they will push out under pressure, but not return. Might be worth popping the piston out to have a look, or an exchange set of calipers to start with fresh.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 75
Thanks for the comments. I think the wiper motor was always intermittently running. The armature will restart when tapped. I haven't had the vehicle long enough to know it's quirks. I did read about the brake pistons siezing upon return, and brake lines. I'll put the truck back on the stands and have a look after the gale storm winds depart. I did get fluid to flow out of the bleeder, I'll look deeper into this too, and the tow.
I should have taken photos, but in the midst of battle I wasn't in the mindset. I am however pretty sore today from all the wrangling.
I should have taken photos, but in the midst of battle I wasn't in the mindset. I am however pretty sore today from all the wrangling.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,566
Likes: 2,036
From: North Texas
Agreed on fresh soft lines, too inexpensive to not replace. Make sure to have some line wrenches for when you disassemble as you will probably round the fitting otherwise. Swap that rear line and give the system a full flush. Brake fluid is inexpensive enough.
I also suggest running later J-hook style wiper arms, 1993 or 1994 Ford installed them on these trucks. Those pin type are always a pain in the butt with age due to metal wear.
I also suggest running later J-hook style wiper arms, 1993 or 1994 Ford installed them on these trucks. Those pin type are always a pain in the butt with age due to metal wear.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 983
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
Agreed on fresh soft lines, too inexpensive to not replace. Make sure to have some line wrenches for when you disassemble as you will probably round the fitting otherwise. Swap that rear line and give the system a full flush. Brake fluid is inexpensive enough.
I also suggest running later J-hook style wiper arms, 1993 or 1994 Ford installed them on these trucks. Those pin type are always a pain in the butt with age due to metal wear.
I also suggest running later J-hook style wiper arms, 1993 or 1994 Ford installed them on these trucks. Those pin type are always a pain in the butt with age due to metal wear.
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Lead Driver
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