What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Killakittie]

She's been blowing cold air for the last hour or so! This was a very easy job. I need to keep my eyes on the damn pressure switch/ doesn't leak. With the pressure switch removed the system held pressure for 15 minutes.. finally got the switch to hold pressure (but only for around 10 min) so my trust isn't very high that it'll hold long term but who knows. Worst case scenario I'll remove it again, top up the system and research a way to keep it from leaking at the threads.

 

[Uncle Gump]

 

[SenorNoob]

It's funny. But the spray while it's vacuumed just might be the ticket.

 

[Killakittie]

Just threw the manifold gauges back on and it still has 26 psi on the low side. Looks like it's holding up just fine.

 

[jballard81]

Just threw the manifold gauges back on and it still has 26 psi on the low side. Looks like it's holding up just fine.

Nice! I'm elbows deep on ball joints and wheel bearings right now. Broke down the driver side knuckle in under 2 hours this time vs probably 8ish taking my time and learning on the passenger side.

Need AC, glad yours is working! I got a dig into it soon.

 

[Killakittie]

Nice! I'm elbows deep on ball joints and wheel bearings right now. Broke down the driver side knuckle in under 2 hours this time vs probably 8ish taking my time and learning on the passenger side.

Need AC, glad yours is working! I got a dig into it soon.

How hard are servicing the wheel bearings? With the truck being so old it's an item I've had my eye on.

 

[Curious Hound]

How hard are servicing the wheel bearings? With the truck being so old it's an item I've had my eye on.

In the big scheme of things, it's a small, simple job. For a newbie with no experience, it can be daunting. Just depends on your experience level and tools on hand.

 

[SenorNoob]

The hardest part is getting the locknut back on tight enough without messing up preload...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Packing bearings by hand is messy but a little grease never hurt anyone

 

[sgtsandman]

How hard are servicing the wheel bearings? With the truck being so old it's an item I've had my eye on.

It's not a hard job to do. Messy but not hard. The most difficult part is getting the nut torque right after setting the preload.

Unless the bearings look to be bad. Sometimes knocking out the races can be a pain.

 

[jballard81]

How hard are servicing the wheel bearings? With the truck being so old it's an item I've had my eye on.

With everything else you've already done, not bad. Especially if you only need to clean and repack them with grease.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I recently did them on my 2011 2wd. It wasn't that bad!

The big thing is get all the parts. I thought I could reuse the caps on the end. Boy was I wrong. They had heavy punch dents in them and the grease sprayed out on the drive to work. Had to redo the entire job. (I used a piece of 1 and 1/2 inch pvc pipe to tap the caps on without bashing them.)

I did cheat and bought the bearing tap tool from Harbor Freight. Basically flat disks that fit the rece and bearing rings so they go in flush with a light tap of the hammer.

They're right about the grease. You can work it in by hand (a dollop in you palm and mush the edge of the bearing ring into it like a chip to dip. Keep doing it until the grease squeezes out on the side facing you.)

The main nut surprised me with how loose it was. Just screwed in enough to get the cotter pin in. Finger tight on mine when I took it off.

Lots of disposable gloves and paper towels are your friends. The last thing you want is an angry wife yelling about prints and grease on the door knob, frame, and faucet.

 

[jballard81]

Broke down the driver's side steering knuckle and axle stub, cleaned them and got everything replaced. Except the last upper ball joint...

Apparently, my $40 el cheapo ball joint press installation cup mushroomed out and couldn't press it in all the way. Ruined the pressing edge on the joint as well. Borrowed a nicer press from AutoZone but the damage was done, with the damaged edge it can't apply pressure evenly.

So close, yet still so far away...

Ordered a replacement overnight from Amazon. Moog brand, bc that's the only one that could get here overnight and not cost $50

 

[ben_2_go]

Took Strangler to Biscuitville for breakfast.

 

[Summers22]

Putting chicken on the truck grill is generally not how it's done. Not to mention vehicle grills are not very heat tolerant.

In his defense, he said grill, not grille.........