copper,
That was basically what I did - supported the front end under each lower control arm with an 8 x 8 section of treated lumber. Engaged at idle, things whir and spin without much commotion. Its when you step on the gas that things really get wild. Besides the TC solenoid being confused, the assorted speed sensors start going, what the ???? and the speedo needle goes equally wacky, jumping from below zero to off the scale on the other end and back a few times. Luckily, a Catholic priest happened by and performed an exorcism. My van is demon free - even the RABS system works!

 

Hey Ok copper thanks for setting me straight there, I just thought it might be the same, guess I will put it in the local newspaper.

 

No problem CBR900. The reason I know is because my little brother has an Explorer which he had beaten up to death. Everytime I look at his car, I have this canibalistic instinct to see what would fit my Aerostar It's sort of like stripping boots off a guy who is not entirely dead yet, just to make sure it fits once the guy is gone.

 

Just wonderin what that might be? Any bearing on the matter?

 

yes thats the same here copper, only it is my son's "exploder" I bourght a rolled one for parts for him and we have the T-case left over and many other things as well.
Cheers you all, have a happy christmas anyway.

 

Thanks Cbr900, and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family too.

 

Well, december of 2004, the trans died completely and totally. My dad talked me into a junkyard trans at a cost of $250, then a local shop would do the R&R for $150. I was pretty reluctant about it, but i figured it was cheap and I might be able to get away with it. We got a month warranty on the trans. A week later, the trans started slipping something fierce. They didn't have any more AWD trannys, so I ended up taking it to this guy that has a giant barn and then some in his backyard more than professionally set up for doing R&Rs and rebuilds. I felt very reassured just walking through his shop and seeing 3 clean rooms, pressure tanks(if that's what they are called?) all sorts of old trannys sitting on shelves, 4 parts washers that he said he runs non water based solevents in like some shops do(he said even with cleaning it, rust will still form on parts, or something like that). So I had him do the rebuild, most of the hard parts were toast he said, and it cost me $1300. I managed to get the money returned for the junkyard trans, but the r&r money was spent and as good as gone. Now I have a good trans and $1450 spent on a A* i got for $800. 8 months later, the 6 month warranty is up and my trans has no foward or reverse gears. I take it to a local repair shop located less than a block from my work(Advance Auto Parts). I know the guys there, I sell them parts, I talk with them, they seem knowladgeable and no BS kinda guys. He says accurate diagnosis is impossible without pulling the trans, so I said go for it. Found out the overdrive drum and springs in it were twisted and toasted. Fixed it for me without doing a complete rebuild at my request for $600, no warranty, but said he'll take care of me if anything happens. Now, december, my transfer case starts making strange noises yet it still runs and drives perfect, can't feel anything wrong besides the horrible noise. So $2050 later, it still dosen't run perfect. At least the engine is still a strong runner with 154,000mi on it, running mobil 1 extended life 15w-50 and a can of Restore.

So that's pretty much the whole story and why I'm not very pleased that my van is in the shop again.