Truck repair question

[Tater]

Quick car repair question for the class.

I have an '07 Ford Ranger with a broken front stabilizer link.

The best price I've found is $110 but I was wondering if this is something I could do myself to save some $.

I have standard hand tools but have never done any type of front end work.



Thanks

 

[bri]

Why do you always have to ask stuff I don't know? I don't even know what that thing is or does that you were asking about.. Bubble might know. He knows car stuff but not sure about trucks.







I bet that PEZ dispenser of knowledge could help. I think I have seen him talk about that kind of stuff.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

You're talking the "metal rod" that is part of your sway bar? About an hours worth of work, lift the side, of the car with the broken link put a jack stand under it, take off the tire unbolt the end closest to you, unbolt the end farthest, install the new one in the opposite order, should be able to use any socket wrnch set

 

[Tater]

You're talking the "metal rod" that is part of your sway bar? About an hours worth of work, lift the side, of the car with the broken link put a jack stand under it, take off the tire unbolt the end closest to you, unbolt the end farthest, install the new one in the opposite order, should be able to use any socket wrnch set

Thanks, I don't have jack stands but maybe I could borrow some from a neighbor.

 

[bri]

Doesn't eruns have something to do with auto parts?

 

[TSD]

Doesn't eruns have something to do with auto parts?

I thought he runs everywhere.

 

[Tater]

Doesn't eruns have something to do with auto parts?

Speaking of Eruns, I passed an SUV on the way to work and it had the custom hawks license plates that said "I run".

It was a female driving it though (maybe the new wife)? Does he still live in the area?

 

[Pez68]

You're talking the "metal rod" that is part of your sway bar? About an hours worth of work, lift the side, of the car with the broken link put a jack stand under it, take off the tire unbolt the end closest to you, unbolt the end farthest, install the new one in the opposite order, should be able to use any socket wrnch set

Sounds about right to me.

 

[Tater]

One last question.

The mechanic that gave me the estimate was going to replace both links.

My wife went to pick me up two but the store only had one so she bought it.

I'd rather not call the mechanic and ask which side it was on. Would I be able to tell by looking which side is broken before I jacked it up and pulled off the wheel?

 

[MassHavoc]

I wouldn't take my car to a mechanic I can't trust enough to tell me which side it was on... but alas those are all probably gone anyway.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

One last question.

The mechanic that gave me the estimate was going to replace both links.

My wife went to pick me up two but the store only had one so she bought it.

I'd rather not call the mechanic and ask which side it was on. Would I be able to tell by looking which side is broken before I jacked it up and pulled off the wheel?

My immediate answer is it should be blatantly obvious, but I will be honest, I have never seen an actual stabilizer link break. For the most part, it's always the bushings that wear out not the metal that breaks.

 

[Tater]

Thanks Chief, I'm sure it will be obvious once I get underneath it.

I was hoping to sneak a peek while it's park but I couldn't see enough to tell. I'm borrowing jackstands from a friend today after work.

 

[Tater]

Well, I fixed it over at a friends house yesterday.

You guys were right, very simple. Save $100 bucks and my friend has a tapped keg fridge with Labatts Light. 2

Thanks again for the tips.



Not too many things I can do on a car anymore, they're not simple and fun like a 72' Cutlass.

 

[bri]

Well, I fixed it over at a friends house yesterday.

You guys were right, very simple. Save $100 bucks and my friend has a tapped keg fridge with Labatts Light. 2

Thanks again for the tips.



Not too many things I can do on a car anymore, they're not simple and fun like a 72' Cutlass.

That's geezer talk.

 

[Tater]

That's geezer talk.

It was an old beater even back in my youth.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Well, I fixed it over at a friends house yesterday.

You guys were right, very simple. Save $100 bucks and my friend has a tapped keg fridge with Labatts Light. 2

Thanks again for the tips.



Not too many things I can do on a car anymore, they're not simple and fun like a 72' Cutlass.

Ignoring Bri's comment....you're right....too many computerized pieces/parts anymore.....can do the basic fixits/upgrades, then hope that nothing goes wrong with it.

 

[chasman]

That's geezer talk.

You are not a spring chicken any more either........ha ha

 

[bri]

You are not a spring chicken any more either........ha ha

Speak of the Devil.

Where have you been?



I always think about you when those Malt Shop Memory and The Teen Year Infomercials are on. My parents love that stuff and they are like from your era. I just downloaded Lightning Strikes by Lou Christie for my mom. I have many songs from that time period on my ipod and can actually sing them. I can do a mean Leader The Pack and a sweet Johnny Angel.

 

[Tater]

Speak of the Devil.

Where have you been?



I always think about you when those Malt Shop Memory and The Teen Year Infomercials are on. My parents love that stuff and they are like from your era. I just downloaded Lightning Strikes by Lou Christie for my mom. I have many songs from that time period on my ipod and can actually sing them. I can do a mean Leader The Pack and a sweet Johnny Angel.

That's geezer talk.

 

[bri]

That's geezer talk.

Maybe I like geezers.