FordExcursions.com Forums
E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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 Posted:1/14/2005 21:40 |
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I have all of the tools and parts lined up for tomorrow's adventure. The ball joints should be pretty straightforward. The challenge will be working in a non-heated garage with outside temps below zero. It is currently -5F with a windchill of -21F. Hopefully the propane and kerosene heaters keep the garage relatively warm tomorrow! 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:1/14/2005 22:17 |
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I didn't know your ball joints were shot Eric or you upgrading to greasables?
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:1/15/2005 06:55 |
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| Quote: | | I didn't know your ball joints were shot Eric or you upgrading to greasables? |
Yep, they are shot. I've got a pretty consistent pull to the left while driving and am hearing the occassional "clunk" sound when I apply the brakes. The dealership confirmed it when I brought it in for an alignment a couple weeks ago.
I have decided to go with replacement ball joints from Ford (non-greasable). I figure since my first set lasted 132,000 miles, that's pretty reasonable. I guess time will tell!
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:1/15/2005 10:55 |
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Your ball joints seem to have gotten pretty good mileage compared to some other Excursions,if your new ones go another 4-5 years it seems like a good lifespan 
One thing that always helped me when working in the cold in your case deep cold a flask of peppermint shnapps was always a good friend 
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:1/15/2005 22:38 |
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| Quote: | Your ball joints seem to have gotten pretty good mileage compared to some other Excursions,if your new ones go another 4-5 years it seems like a good lifespan
One thing that always helped me when working in the cold in your case deep cold a flask of peppermint shnapps was always a good friend |
Got 'em done! The uppers were in satisfactory shape, the lowers were completely shot. Also found out that one of my brake caliper bolts had come out at some point...glad to see that rather than find out on the road!
All in all, a pretty straightforward install. I took pics and video this time. Will finish up a couple pending articles then will get started on this one.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Hawkeyes
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• St. Paul, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 12/3/2004 |
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• 43 posts |
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Posted:1/16/2005 06:34 |
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Hi Eric,
Glad you didn't freeze out there. I've put my upgrades on hold 'til weather warms up. BTW, did the Factory Tech accumulator mod 2 weeks ago - grinnin all the way. Perfect shift, not too hard, but no more slop.
Great job on the LandYot radius rod install photo set. It really clears up any mystery, but also lets you know this is a pretty big project.
Another comment on steering the big X; I've got good ball joints, and new shocks, steering dampener, sway bar links & tie rods. Still have 1.5 - 2.5 inches play in steering wheel. Creates a slight drift - either direction- when driving, especially at speed. Will taking up the lash in steering gearbox do it, or do I need a rebuilt box?
Thanks & take Care
Hawkeye
Hawkeyes |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:1/16/2005 10:01 |
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| Quote: | | Glad you didn't freeze out there. I've put my upgrades on hold 'til weather warms up. BTW, did the Factory Tech accumulator mod 2 weeks ago - grinnin all the way. Perfect shift, not too hard, but no more slop. |
I wish my garage was heated. A heater is definitely on the "modification list" for the house this year!  That and more landscaping, painting, etc. 
| Quote: | | Great job on the LandYot radius rod install photo set. It really clears up any mystery, but also lets you know this is a pretty big project. |
It is a big project only because of the torching off of the old trac bars and the small portion of the bump stops. Thankfully I have a friend who has a torch and loves doing this kind of stuff. I will be posting an install article that makes more sense of the pictures that were posted, though. That'll clear up any questions about the pics -- if there are any.
| Quote: | | Another comment on steering the big X; I've got good ball joints, and new shocks, steering dampener, sway bar links & tie rods. Still have 1.5 - 2.5 inches play in steering wheel. Creates a slight drift - either direction- when driving, especially at speed. Will taking up the lash in steering gearbox do it, or do I need a rebuilt box? |
I have some play in my steering as well, but I don't have any drifting problems. I'm not sure if I have as much as 2.5" of play, 1 for sure, maybe 1.75" or so. I can definitely jiggle the steering wheel back and forth and not move the X at all on the road.  Most of the full-size trucks I've driven have been like this so I guess I'm just used to it. My Galaxie has about 3" of play in its steering, so the Excursion seems "tighter" to me.
I could never get my X to drive in a straight line without the radius rods. Maybe for a second or two, but it would always end up driving one way or the other if I wasn't driving on a completely smooth road. Now with the rods installed, it tracks very straight. I just need to get an alignment now that I have new ball joints as I have a constant pull to the left. One note I can make is that I never noticed this pull to the left before the radius rods. The rods really exposed that to me...I was so used to white-knuckle driving and constantly making steering adjustments that I never realized my steering was out of alignment.
I guess bottom line, I can't comment on taking up the lash or getting a rebuilt steering box because I have no experience. The steering characteristics you describe are almost identical to what mine were. Did you do the rear sway bar yet? You mention sway bar, but I think you might be referring to the front sway bar links?
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1
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Posted:1/16/2005 10:32 |
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| Quote: |
Another comment on steering the big X; I've got good ball joints, and new shocks, steering dampener, sway bar links & tie rods. Still have 1.5 - 2.5 inches play in steering wheel. Creates a slight drift - either direction- when driving, especially at speed. Will taking up the lash in steering gearbox do it, or do I need a rebuilt box?
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For adjusting the freeplay It takes a 5/8" wrench and about 5/32" hex allen wrench.
If you have a box wrench put it onto the nut, loosen the nut (it is a jam nut), then while the wrench is still on the nut holding the jam nut, turn the hex screw to tighten "ONLY turn lightly - DO NOT FORCE" Small 1/8 or 1/4 turn adjustments. Internal components can be easily damaged!
Best done with 2 people, having someone rock steering wheel left & right until play is removed, then back off slightly & snug down nut.
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1
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Posted:1/16/2005 10:36 |
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| Quote: | Got 'em done! The uppers were in satisfactory shape, the lowers were completely shot. Also found out that one of my brake caliper bolts had come out at some point...glad to see that rather than find out on the road!
All in all, a pretty straightforward install. I took pics and video this time. Will finish up a couple pending articles then will get started on this one. |
Alright Eric,job well done 
I have a friend up in Grass Valley California that restores vintage Camaros and when he had his new shop built,heated water piping was installed in the concrete floor as it gets cold up there during the Sierra Nevada winters,never seen another shop like it
I'll be on the lookout for when you get your balljoint swap pics up,if you needed additional pics of the project we were working on that's a can do 
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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Hawkeyes
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• St. Paul, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 12/3/2004 |
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• 43 posts |
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Posted:1/17/2005 23:19 |
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I just rechecked steering wheel play, it's actually 1" - felt like more, but that's the 'drift' issue I mentioned before. I've not done the rear sway bar add - don't really notice much roll, and am trying to keep back end from getting any stiffer than it already is. Put 400 pounds of sand tubes behind rear axle just to smoothe out the ride. Those new Edelbrock shocks are firm!
Radius rods are on order from LandYot, really looking forward to the install - can you say 'shade tree mechanic'!
I have another question - I've installed 4 new slotted & drilled rotors, PF Z pads, new rear calipers. Truck stops great, but I still notice an occasional vibration/slight shimmy that I think is coming from brakes. I can let off the pedal then hit them again & it will go away. Also, sometimes when I hit brakes hard, truck will veer to the right. If I try to repeat it, it may/may not do it again 
I'm thinking I have a sticky front caliper. Could it be something else? Ball joints are good, shocks are new, all front end comonents are in good shape. Comments?
Thanks,
Hawkeyes
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