richinspirit
Active Member
Hello all,
Picked up a '97 Expedition for a good price and looked around for a good Expedition forum, since Stangnet used to be so helpful back in the day.
Currently, I am looking to make an 850 mile trip in it after putting about 500 miles on it locally. Hoping to correct a few things with my brother while still in town, since he has experience working on cars.
Thank you, several of the threads I have read and searched through have been very helpful, already.
1 of 2: Could someone take the time to do a basic checklist if it seems like the vehicle has a bit of a vague-center to the steering? Just a list of parts/joints to check first on my Expedition as typical problem points. Steering tie-rods sure, but there was a rubberized joint between the steering column and the steering rack in the Mustang, and I am hoping for a list that includes things like that.
2 of 2: How can I verify a wheel hub problem? What is the usual amount of 'give' I should get and what is the best way to confirm/eliminate the wheel hub as an issue?
Symptoms:
Obviously the slightly vague-center on the steering. But with the wheel hub... There is an intermittent squeak (possibly the brake rotor touching the pads?), and applying just a bit of brake pedal effort seems to always eliminate it, certainly when starting to move the vehicle. Can be a bit variable while driving.
My brother has worked on cars, but I haven't done much besides install shifters/springs/shocks/car audio/air hoses and the like, so I am looking to get multiple opinions and a plan for getting started. Thank you for looking.
Talked to the local parts store here and someone provided a nice overview of the process that makes it seem possible, but I have checked and can tell that there may be a few surprises similar to the first time I removed tie-rods on my old '00 mustang.
The PO had it in snow country, but very minor conditions in Western Washington State. I don't see any rust, really.
Thank you again if you made it this far through my post.
about that. 
Picked up a '97 Expedition for a good price and looked around for a good Expedition forum, since Stangnet used to be so helpful back in the day.
Currently, I am looking to make an 850 mile trip in it after putting about 500 miles on it locally. Hoping to correct a few things with my brother while still in town, since he has experience working on cars.
Thank you, several of the threads I have read and searched through have been very helpful, already.
1 of 2: Could someone take the time to do a basic checklist if it seems like the vehicle has a bit of a vague-center to the steering? Just a list of parts/joints to check first on my Expedition as typical problem points. Steering tie-rods sure, but there was a rubberized joint between the steering column and the steering rack in the Mustang, and I am hoping for a list that includes things like that.
2 of 2: How can I verify a wheel hub problem? What is the usual amount of 'give' I should get and what is the best way to confirm/eliminate the wheel hub as an issue?
Symptoms:
Obviously the slightly vague-center on the steering. But with the wheel hub... There is an intermittent squeak (possibly the brake rotor touching the pads?), and applying just a bit of brake pedal effort seems to always eliminate it, certainly when starting to move the vehicle. Can be a bit variable while driving.
My brother has worked on cars, but I haven't done much besides install shifters/springs/shocks/car audio/air hoses and the like, so I am looking to get multiple opinions and a plan for getting started. Thank you for looking.
Talked to the local parts store here and someone provided a nice overview of the process that makes it seem possible, but I have checked and can tell that there may be a few surprises similar to the first time I removed tie-rods on my old '00 mustang.
The PO had it in snow country, but very minor conditions in Western Washington State. I don't see any rust, really.
Thank you again if you made it this far through my post.
about that.
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