Time to part ways???

[kdubb28]

Hey everybody I believe its time to part ways with the expedition and just want to know everyone's opinion before I do. Mine is an 03'' model Eddie Bauer. It needs rearend work(howling at 42 mph) and the starter is grinding(most likely the flywheel is chewed up). Blend door for rear a/c is making noise. Needs 3 tires. Breaks squealing during a stop. Sunroof leaks sometimes when it rains. It has 196k on it and only a 4.6L(SLOW). Should I let it go and find another one or try to sink money into it? What is it worth just like it is?

 

[tojohnso]

Unless you have some sentimental value that is more important than your wallet, go get another one. With 196K on the wheels, she doesn't owe you anything.

 

[GAINMOB]

I'm sure everything didn't crap all of a sudden so fix them one at a time...get them fixed or a car note for the next few yeara...if its the starter how is it the flywheel? Flywheel is the trans right? What is happening with the rear...gears can be changed for a decent cost...blend door u can do...I changed one of the motor boxes and will change the next one before changing the actual motor but mine is making noise too now...needing tires is part of every vehicle...u want my stocks? Breaks squealing...its time for brakes...the last two will happen regardless...now the sunroof leak is the only thing thay would make me trade it...but others have fixed it on here so see what they did...total all repairs and see if that's cheaper than buying another truck

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)

 

[EightIsEnough]

Sounds like you could put $1000-$2000 into a vehicle worth $4000 or so. Or you could spend $9000-$12000 (not counting your trade-in value)to upgrade to a newer second gen with under 100,000 and in need of minor repairs totalling $200-$2000 but with a better chance of getting the money back in miles.

Should we explain to Freeway how the starter interacts with the flywheel?

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[sgtowing]

Imho, you have to decide what you really want. Like Freeway said, the only biggie for me is the sunroof leak. Everything is just normal maintenance. You can get new rotors and pads for $200, tires you can probably find a deal $500 installed and the blend door for the a/c I think is less than a $100. The rear end and the flywheel would be the biggest thing and you should be able to get that done for a $1000 combined. That's less than $2000 and the only thing left is the sunroof. Unless you have $$$$$ to pay outright for another vehicle, I say fix it. If you buy something used< what problems are you going to run into and do you have the money for new vehicle.

 

[GAINMOB]

explain to Freeway how the starter interacts with the flywheel...

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Master yoshi...ur pattawan awaits

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)

 

[toms89]

Flexplate or "flywheel" is mounted to the end of the crankshaft. The torque converter is bolted to it which transfers the power to the transmission. Not really "in the transmission" but is covered by the bell housing.

The important thing is the flexplate is surrounded by teeth, or large ring gear, that the starter acts upon to start the motor. If you get into grinding situations the starter teeth do not mate properly to the flexplate teeth. So one, the other, or both may be damaged as a result.

 

[GAINMOB]

Thx tom...

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)

 

[kdubb28]

I really want to keep my truck but I could probably find one around 05 to 06 range with less than 100k or right at it. The most expensive thing is the rearend. I have a carrier bearing bad and I was told it required a rebuild totaling $1000+. How would I go about getting that flex plate checked out? The other stuff like brakes and tires I can handle. I just bought a car for my wife so I guess I need to bite the bullet. The 4.6 is my only concern. I would LOVE to have a 5.4 especially for bigger rims and tires.

 

[GAINMOB]

I have an 04 with 140k+ on the clock

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)

 

[sitruc_btb]

Dropping some coin down on a repair sounds better than 5 years of car payments and possibly higher insurance. To me anyway. But, the choice is yours, and yours alone!

 

[sgtowing]

Flexplate or "flywheel" is mounted to the end of the crankshaft. The torque converter is bolted to it which transfers the power to the transmission. Not really "in the transmission" but is covered by the bell housing.

The important thing is the flexplate is surrounded by teeth, or large ring gear, that the starter acts upon to start the motor. If you get into grinding situations the starter teeth do not mate properly to the flexplate teeth. So one, the other, or both may be damaged as a result.

 

[stamp11127]

I have a 4.6 with 239,000 only issue is a little tap when cold. Trans is another story. That will be swapped this year.

 

[tojohnso]

And - once you get done taking care of what you have now, what next? There comes a time when its time to let go. Yes, you may have payments if you haven't saved for a replacement. But in the end, you will be better off with reliability and potentially costing you less in the long run. I replaced my '99 with an '11 last year for this reason. I believe my mechanic misses me.

 

[kdubb28]

I been looking around but everybody has one with over 200k. I guess I will see what happens. How hard is an engine swap to the 5.4 2V or is it even worth it?

 

[GAINMOB]

Over 200k??? Dang!!! I just hit 140k

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)

 

[JUST4FUN]

the starter gear is made from a softer metal than the flex plate gear , unless you already had this diagnosed im going with the starter

 

[jdecker]

I think it would depend on your ability/willingness to do the work yourself.

All of the mechanical you mentioned can be done for under $1000. Replace the rear carrier/diff with a low mileage used (about $300), new starter ($100 -rockauto), 4 new rotors and brake pads (less than $300-rockauto), for the blend door find a u-pick salvage yard that has 1st gen EXPLORERS and pull the gears out of the blend door or direction door and they will work to fix your actuator (I picked up enough to do the repair 10 times for $5 -I've got 2 expeditions so you never no), and the sun roof I would be willing to bet is plugged drain holes so that's a freebie.

Plus think of all the fun you'll have doing the work yourself! Then all you'll need is some walmart special tires and roll that thing another 100,000

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I bought my '05 with 119,000 miles on it for $8900 six months ago. You may search a while to find one with under 100K miles.

 

[kdubb28]

I think I'm gonna cross over to the Tahoe. I found a nice 2006 with less than 100k for 12k. I can't find a good expedition with low miles. I haven't bought the Tahoe yet but I'm thinking about it.