Where should I start with replacing suspension
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 610
Likes: 20
From: NE Kansas
Where should I start with replacing suspension
263k miles; no replaced suspension parts. None.
I change oil spring and fall; about 7k miles. I do Mark's tranny flush every 30k, and I have replaced all fluids except PS. Shame on me. I also replaced the plugs at 230k. Replaced front wheel bearings and brake parts. Probably some other.
I need to do the suspension. Where should I start? I'm not looking to do anything special e.g. lift, but just make the necessary updates.
I also need new running boards. The brackets are probably ok,but the metal in the boards is about rusted out. The driver side rear door has a rusted out dog leg.
Finally, am I the only one that thinks the front wheel well should be enclosed? The bumper and mounting brackets are about rusted out. Only a couple miles of limestone gravel but it slings into that bumper. $50 of plastic would seem to go a long way.
I change oil spring and fall; about 7k miles. I do Mark's tranny flush every 30k, and I have replaced all fluids except PS. Shame on me. I also replaced the plugs at 230k. Replaced front wheel bearings and brake parts. Probably some other.
I need to do the suspension. Where should I start? I'm not looking to do anything special e.g. lift, but just make the necessary updates.
I also need new running boards. The brackets are probably ok,but the metal in the boards is about rusted out. The driver side rear door has a rusted out dog leg.
Finally, am I the only one that thinks the front wheel well should be enclosed? The bumper and mounting brackets are about rusted out. Only a couple miles of limestone gravel but it slings into that bumper. $50 of plastic would seem to go a long way.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 182
I would say if you're wanting to keep the X at stock ride height, I'd inspect all bushings and replace as necessary, go with some KYB Monomax shocks, make sure all of your steering components are serviceable and replace as necessary, ball joints, etc. Get it aligned to the specs here (can't remember what they are, but lots oof folks have used them here) and call it good.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 892
Likes: 160
From: Gainesville
With no replaced parts since new, I would change anything with rubber involved; that includes the body mount bushings. Our Ex has spent its life in North GA, 10 years outside and the last 14 inside a garage and they were cracked from dry-rot.
If you plan on keeping the Ex, I would make a call to Junior at ATS Springs in PA. He set me up with exactly what I needed. You may not want a lift, but consider that your Ex weighs more than 1,500 pounds than a similar year/wheelbase F350. After 20 plus years of riding on springs designed to appease soccer moms with tension rated somewhere between an F150 and 250, consider springs appropriate, at least up to F250 standards.
Steering choices: I recommend (please research this info considering that my opinion is many times wrong) PSC steering box ( I’ve tried BlueTop, RedHead and Ford Motorcraft rebuilt boxes and all fall short of expectations).
Steering shaft: Borgeson (replaces worn out “rag joint” with u-joint.
All others: Ford Motorcraft.
Shocks: I’m on my fourth set of Bilstein 4600s. I’m partial to them, although others prefer other brands and that’s a good thing. Makes you do your research.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
If you plan on keeping the Ex, I would make a call to Junior at ATS Springs in PA. He set me up with exactly what I needed. You may not want a lift, but consider that your Ex weighs more than 1,500 pounds than a similar year/wheelbase F350. After 20 plus years of riding on springs designed to appease soccer moms with tension rated somewhere between an F150 and 250, consider springs appropriate, at least up to F250 standards.
Steering choices: I recommend (please research this info considering that my opinion is many times wrong) PSC steering box ( I’ve tried BlueTop, RedHead and Ford Motorcraft rebuilt boxes and all fall short of expectations).
Steering shaft: Borgeson (replaces worn out “rag joint” with u-joint.
All others: Ford Motorcraft.
Shocks: I’m on my fourth set of Bilstein 4600s. I’m partial to them, although others prefer other brands and that’s a good thing. Makes you do your research.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 610
Likes: 20
From: NE Kansas
Any YouTube videos or write ups to guide me?
I am good to try but seeing the mistakes of others is a plus. I've done ball joints, wheel bearings (4wd front), v10 plugs, and various other things on other vehicles, so as long as it's a reasonable diy, I am game. Sadly I just don't trust most "mechanics"
I am good to try but seeing the mistakes of others is a plus. I've done ball joints, wheel bearings (4wd front), v10 plugs, and various other things on other vehicles, so as long as it's a reasonable diy, I am game. Sadly I just don't trust most "mechanics"
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