TKO

I was going to replace my rear shocks, has anyone ever done this before? i have a 1999 ford windstar lx 3.8 with 167k. I looked at it, and it only looks like 2 main studs, and plates,im pretty savvy when it comes to my van. and anyhelp would be appreciated. Also, i was going to replace my exhaust because its going, i was wondering if my van needs backpressure to run. Thanks

Bert

For the shocks. There are other repairs availlable on the Autozone site.
| Repair Guides | Front Suspension | Coil Springs | AutoZone.com

The system is made to run on a slight backpressure from the exhaust. Not much but they run better and get better mileage if they're stock.

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Bert

TKO

Thanks Bert, im at 167k, anything else youd advise getting?

Bert

Just check it over good and see if anything else is loose. Steering linkage, balljoints? Has it been serviced regularly?

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Bert

TKO

I service it daily. I go through and check everything every chance i get. I am pretty sure my shocks are going in the back. and i can kind of hear them. 40 a piece from autozone. No big deal. The other day i took off the intake manifold and replaced the seals that hold the plastic manifold to the lower intake. I used a wire brush, punch, and vacuum to clean out my egr ports, my intake, and replaced the 6 screws that hold the intake to the lower intake. 60 at autozone. But cleaning out the oil, and stuff, replacing the 6 seals under the intake, and the screws fixed my engine code for bank 1. A lean or something. runs great now. And I think i need to do my ball joints soon. at 200k im going to replace my head gasket, water pump. and things like that. Overral my van has been doing great for me, just the gas mileage that hurts.

Bert

If it's not overheating, you shouldn't need to change the head gasket. Nice to se someone taking care of their vehicle.

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Bert

TKO

Yeah, it is like a safety precaution, everyone is blowing theirs at 150k. but i think since i take care of it, hopefully it will last a while. I am running factory 5w-30. I heard from a few people i should up to 10w-30. Because of the age. Is it really a big deal? I am not leaking out of my valve covers either. And I do the oil regularly, and antifreeze flush every 3rd change. I have a Ram air intake. and try to wash it every 3rd change also. Im trying to replace the parts before they break. Good thing the ball joint is with the control arm. So its all one shot. Its good and bad i guess.

Bert

You could go to 10w30 if you want to. If it's not using oil, I'd stick with the 5w30.

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Bert

TKO

Ok thanks Bert, and after driving my van for a while, then stop and turn off, get out etc. If i get back in before its all the way cooled down sometimes it surges, like if there was a vacuum leak. I had one before and fixed it. Runs perfect any other time, in traffic, at a stop, cold start, but after a few seconds it runs fine. Just as soon as it starts a little bit of bogging, then hit the gas or put it in gear and its fine. Any suggestions?

Bert

Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner and the throttle body and see if that helps.

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Bert