I love my truck and am aware of the manifold studs becoming a problem. My question is...should i have the studs replaced before they become a problem? My truck has a 101,000 miles, F150 1998 XLTx4. I plan on keeping the truck for a while....its in excellent shape and runs real well.

Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

Leter
BowDog

 

IMO that comes under the "same amount" theory.
If I have to do the same amount of work anyway, I'll leave the job until I have to do it. If I DON'T have to do it, better for me.

 

If it Ain't Broke ,,Why fix it...

 

If the studs arent broken, I would just leave it alone. Wait until you start to hear an exhaust leak, then worry about it.

 

Thye reason I am concerned is that when they brake....they maybe harder to get out than they are now. i am trying to think ahead...my mechanical abilities are limited...I just dont want a major problem later.


by some of the comments I have read, I geuss they may never be a problem. Do all the F150,s eventually have this problem?

thanks Guys

Later
Bowdog

 

I've got a '98 with 90K and I'm in the process of fixing some busted studs right now. I can tell you it's a major pain in the a$$. The nuts practically weld themselves on to the manifold and getting them off is a real chore.

So long as they aren't leaking I'd say leave em alone. I'm only doing the one side and won't do the other unless I have to.

 

I can attest that you don't want to replace those exhaust manifold studs until you have to, period. I have a 97 F150 5.4L which lost the heads off the last two studs on both sides. I decided that I would have all of the exhaust studs replaced since 4 had broken off, and I had an exhaust leak on both sides that the rest of the studs would evenually break off.

I took my truck to the dealership and several hundred dollars later, they were all replaced except the mechanic had problems getting one of good studs out and evenually had to helicoil it.... It started leaking oil from that stud onto the exhaust manifold. Several trips back to the dealership, and several weeks later they were finally were able to get the stud to hold and not back out. I don't even want to know what he used to get it to hold...

So the moral to this is...... at least in this case.... fix only what is needed and no more. You may be opening a can of worms! Just my two cents worth.

hugger94

 

Great theory! Can I borrow it?