I didn't do anything to my ex today because I had a vasectomy. tmi I know. but the other day I was driving it and I heard a pop sound and then I had no power steering and no power brakes. fortunately I was only about a mile from my home at the time. there is ps fluid everywhere and I have not had a chance to really investigate it. I hope I didn't do any damage by driving it home.

DOE

 

So your fix was to have a vasectomy? Are the brakes better now?

 

he doesn't have to stop now... so yes it worked LOL

 

You really damaged it washing your engine? Howd it damage it? Got pics?

 

Sad to report that I haven't even had the Ex out of the garage in about a month and a half. My very minimal towing needs have been well satisfied by the Cruze or F-450. I should put the battery tender on it soon, but I do want to pull it out for a ride soon while the weather is still nice.

This past Sunday, I was out and about and going by where my old Ex now resides, so I decided to roll by to check in on it. Still there, slightly dirty, but not bad. Looks like he did finally get new tires on it.

Just as the picture was uploading, it dawned on me that you know what, Sunday also happened to be the one year anniversary from handing over the keys. The things I do subconsciously...

 

You heard a pop sound so you had a vasectomy? I strongly suggest that you stay away from loud noises!

 

Now that was funny!!!

 

I didn't damage the engine itself, but I did damage a few critical and not so critical electrical components.

I started with simple green and used Berryman's engine cleaner and got out my pressure washer to clean things off. Guess I got a little too close for comfort and instead of lightly misting the engine to rinse the cleaner off, I got a little too close and I guess didn't let the engine dry off enough.

I destroyed:

-My PCM
-GPCM
-ICP sensor

I had a spare PCM becuase I did some work Evilinkcris' truck and got it running again. He gave me a spare PMT2 PCM he had as a thank you for getting his truck fixed after so much frustration.

I knew my PCM was burnt up because it wouldn't show ICP with the sensor plugged or unplugged and wouldn't start. As soon as I plugged in the PMT2 PCM, with the ICP unplugged it started and ran like it should. I replaced the ICP sensor and unplugged the GPCM and she was good to go again.

The lesson here:

It's ok to clean off your engine, just use a garden hose instead of a pressure washer.

 

Been there myself, you probably didn't damage anything, but it's not as hard or expensive to replace the lines or the pump as you think.

My experience here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...a-weekend.html

 

That's a good McGuyver idea, I would just leave it like that.

 

you guys are a riot!

I found the issue...




it seems the fitting failed. now I am off to find a replacement.

DOE

 

Got the new MOOG tie rod end on and a new steering stabilizer on this morning. The steering is way better now. I had just replaced that tie rod end in January, but it has been smoked since about May. The steering stabilizer was probably not in great shape even before I smashed it on a rock on Sunday.

I bet I'll be at the wheel bearings again soon. I go through those pretty quick also. One goes out every six to eight months, which is great because they are warranted for a year and they are easy to change.

Big tires, high off-set wheels, and lots of off-road abuse all adds up to absolute torture for the front end of this thing.

 

Nothing today but driving it. Monday I decided to try a cheap bandaid to the sagging front springs. Now a V/B code swap was on the agenda this year but the unexpected transmission replacment ate up that budget. So I ran across the Timbren Aeon Springs for the front axle. I have the Timbren SES set up on the rear for towing and it works awesome so I figured I'd give the fronts a try for $170. It took about a half hour to swap out my stock bump stops for the Timbren ones. Well within the first few miles I could tell a huge difference in the ride. The truck now feels more stable and handles the bump a hell of a lot better. I do know that the front springs will continoue to sag but until I can gather the funds this works pretty good. Actually I sort of like the fact that the truck isn't lifted, which will happen with a spring change.

 

2wd or 4wd ?
They have different bushings.
I could not find any non-oem for my 2wd so replaced them w stock Ford items.

 

If I don't drive my EX for a month and a half without a battery maintainer, the battery is completely dead.