200,000 mark suggestions...

[LargeJoMaMa]

My boy just reached his 200,000 mark on a trip to Texas from PA and back. Besides the normal wear and tear up here in the east on the undercarriage and suspension, any suggestions on what I should make sure to get checked out? I was going to finally change the whole exhaust but was told that the small leak I have isn't that important. What should I have looked at to help make sure that my trusted friend keeps going on for at least a few more years?

 

[LargeJoMaMa]

My boy just reached his 200,000 mark on a trip to Texas from PA and back. Besides the normal wear and tear up here in the east on the undercarriage and suspension, any suggestions on what I should make sure to get checked out? I was going to finally change the whole exhaust but was told that the small leak I have isn't that important. What should I have looked at to help make sure that my trusted friend keeps going on for at least a few more years?

View attachment 22311

Yeah... Going 80 when I snapped this picture...

 

[John Christopher]

I would just keep changing the oil and other fluids when they are due. Congratulations on the 200,000 mark. Where did you go in PA?

 

[LargeJoMaMa]

I would just keep changing the oil and other fluids when they are due. Congratulations on the 200,000 mark. Where did you go in PA?

From Texas. Live in Eastern PA. Went for a visit to Texas.

 

[John Christopher]

That's one heck of a trip. I'm originally from Throop, a small town in NE PA. I live in CT now.

 

[Hamfisted]

Have you changed the water pump yet ? Good time to do it if you haven't already. (Use Motorcraft parts...) Lower ball joints, front and rear. Inspect the brake pads... change the fuel filter... that's about it...


-Mike

 

[jstone5241]

I would change ALL fluids to synthetic using a BG flush. I do that every 50000 and no problems at 223000. Did same on last one and had 337000. Then wrecked it!

 

[LargeJoMaMa]

Thanks for the input fellas. My suspension seems to need some attention. Every time I make a right turn a loud pop and creak happen. I just treat this thing like a baby and want to make sure it lasts. Obviously not forever but as long as possible. Gonna go with synthetic and change the other fluids as well. Plus there's a lot of give in the steering wheel too... Little things hopefully...

 

[Hamfisted]

The slop in the steering wheel is probably the inner tie rod ends. They wear out about every 100k miles. Replace the inner and outers and have it aligned. If the dust boots are torn on the front lower ball joints replace them too, before the alignment. Creaking in the rear is probably the rear lower ball joint bushings, they support all the weight. Other than that, look for rust around the radiator support and in the roof channels.



-Mike