Changed the one in my 2000 Expedition yesterday. What a pain that is!!!
I would personally like to thank the engineer that thought that putting the cross member directly under the steering box (or vice versa) was a good idea. They have obviously never had to change one that has gone 130K miles in the rust belt!
And then there was getting tools for it. I have a pickle fork but did you know that there is a special one for pitman arms? Yes there is. Forchinity it is $10. BUT it does not fit trucks that have the Windsor option. Since I have a Windsor the shaft on the steering box is bigger as is the pitman arm. So the pitman arm separator (as it is referred to) is to narrow not allowing it to fit around the shaft on the steering box. So I got out the grinder and fixed the tool. So now I am fixing the tool that is needed to fix the truck. Did I mention it was a rented tool? I called them back and asked if they wanted there pitman arm separator back that now had the special Windsor option. Needless to say I now own a pitman arm separator that has the Windsor option. Then there was the ball end of the pitman arm. It was stuck so bad that it bent my pickle fork I have never done that before.
This was just part of the fun weekend.
Started Thursday pulled brakes apart on the porch (down to the ware tangs) found that the pad retainer pins need replacement. I found that I can not get the retainer pins locally, Via the Internet they are $65!!! For a kit with 4 pins two retainer clips and two rattle clips. I am seriously considering making the pins out of some stainless steel rod
So it is Friday and I am driving the wife's mustang. I loose brakes. Limp home with only an e brake as I was less than half way to work. I end up replacing the lines in the front.
Saturday morning I go to the local junk yard and get a set of the high end boards for the expedition. Come home and get into the pitman arm project noted above. I was going to do the pitman arm and the running boards but after 4 hours with the pitman arm the running boards are still on the roof of the expedition.
On the way to get the grease gun (for the pitman arm) from my other house I loose the alternator in the mustang.
So it is early Sunday morning and I am off to get an alternator for the mustang.
I think it is all the neglected cars getting back at me. I have not touched them in about 6 months due to a new house and work being strait out. This was there weekend to make it known that they need attention. Lind of like a bunch of little kids.
I guess it is not all that bad I was going to be painting the house this weekend.
My porch doesnt move so I dont worry about brakes. It is firmly attached to the back of the house. 
Just think, so much has gone wrong that the evil car gods will move on to their next victim and leave you alone for a while now. Just make sure you point them at someone other than me. 
porksboy wrote:
My porch doesnt move so I dont worry about brakes. It is firmly attached to the back of the house.
LOL Ya saw that. I have one of those special German porches. Only German beer can be served on it 
. I think the Porsche was jealous and decided to have a hissy fit. I know that they are just inadament objects but I swear they talk to each other and plan these things!!!
When I worked for Mercedes I would get a run of 3 to five 113 chassis 250/280SL at a time. I swear the cars talked to each other and decided to show different problemas at the same time. Then I wouldnt see any for 3 months.
Cars also know when you have money. I was broke for the period of a few years, but got a higher-paying internship over this past summer. The first paycheck went to problems that cropped up on the car.
...at least they circled the problem...
usually if i cant get my puller in, i will wiggle my cutoff wheel (die grinder 3"disc, 1/16"thck) in there and cutt the old pitman off, one slice and they usually come right off, just be careful not to hurt yourself or nick the splines/seal hth
In reply to MitchellC:
Tell me about it. Student loan money came in yesterday. Now it is time to drop some change on the car including replacing the tires with a date code of 4903, At six years since manufacture they need it. Then there is the windshield that has a crack across pretty much the whole width. And the brakes probably need some work question is how much.
dean1484 wrote:
So it is early Sunday morning and I am off to get an alternator for the mustang.
And the saga continues:
This turned out to be sooooooo much fun. However the bright side was I found the spare alternator I had saved from the motor swap back in 03. I made sure the wife knew about me saving it AND I left the web page up on her computer that had the retail cost for another one. $195.95 - $285.00 depending on warranty etc. She was quite excited about the fact that I had squirreled one away. In fact my whole saving parts for other cars has all of a sudden become encouraged by her now. Those parts box's I keep are now looked at in a whole new light by her now.
But then came the fun. I go to loosen the belt tensioner. I put the ratchett on it and try to pivot it and the aluminum housing that holds the spring literally explodes (Note to self there is a ton of stored energy in those things. It was a good thing I was waring my safety glasses) Ok time to replace that. As I get the bolt out of the auto tensioner it comes out with all the threads from the aluminum mounting bracket. ARRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!! This then results in me having to drive around to find a metric nut and bolt long enough so I can through bolt the new auto tensioner in place. Yes it had to be metric to keep the thing aligned properly. Another thing, this is a ford, you would think that the tensioner would be an off the shelf item at most larger parts stores. I had to go to three (via the Internet) before it listed it as being in stock. So what started out as a simple alternator change (should be a 30 min job in a ford) turned out to be another 5 hour event chasing parts and what not.
And to top this off while I was under the mustang I found that the brake lines that run across the lower rad support (the rears and the right front) are in need of replacement. I think I am just going to replace them all next weekend once I get the Porsche back up and running.
it sucks to be you this weekend.....sorry to hear about all the trouble....
at least its now monday......
I keep telling my self I like cars. I am now sure that there is something wrong with me.
