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Topic: got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read (Read 1894 times) previous topic - next topic

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

ok so in order for my 1991 cougar xr7 to be fit for the road i need to have in working order the following

ebrake doesnt work
wiper motor is shiznitty
brake lights dont work
rear brakes are shiznit
stupid balljoints

need to replace
2 rear rotors
1 set pads
1 set ebrake shoes
2 rear calipers
2 lower balljoints

im going to get most of these parts from the wrecker cept balljoints. but i will try smashing some wrecker bjs out.

ok so my questions are...  wtf would cause no brake lights? boo switch? brake pressure sensor switch?

wiper motor.. remove wiper arms, remove cowl, vacume, harness, 5 screws right?  i may just try the hammer trick just to pass the safety.

balljoints... im ****ed for these arent i. tried em on my camaro and i didnt fair so well. smashed my thumb good, gave up.

the calipers, pads, and all i can do myself.

emergency brake shoes? lolwtfomfgbbq? anyone have a good pic of
the rear disc emergency brake setup?



got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #1 –
I know ya may be like some of us, and kinda pinched on cash, but I would absofackinlutely NOT put jy balljoints in any car that i'd drive...
brakes are one thing, you can visually tell if they're decent, but balljoints can be from a wrecked car, and be stressed to the point of failing nearly anytime..
At work last week, I got a '00 Ranger off the rollback, that had been clipped in the pass. side, just as it hit the ground, the balljoint, and spindle broke, and guess who had to fix it.. lol
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #2 –
Your Cougar does not have "Emergency brake shoes", it has a dual action caliper that works with both hydraulic pressure and with a cable. Look at your drawing and see the "Parking brake lever" immediately above the caliper housing?

That's the good news. The bad news is that this type of caliper is extremely pr0ne to seizing up because nobody uses the parking brake. Remove thecables and see if you can move the lever - it should move back by itself. If you can't move it, or if it moves but won't go back by itself, you need calipers.

Brake lights: This could be one of two things: Either the brake light switch (or the wires going to it) are broken (common, cheap to fix) or the multifunction switch took a dump (also common, expensive to fix). You might also check the fuse, and look for a trailer wiring connector at the back bumper if the fuse is blown - these are usually the cuprit.

Ball joints: Do NOT use used ball joints. They are holding up 3500 pounds of car, and dynamically (in motion) they hold up a lot more than that. Your Cougar has two ball joints per side, and both require replacing the entire control arm (either upper or lower, depending on which ones are worn). You cannot replace just the ball joint on the end of the control arm. The good news is that because your car uses coilover struts, neither ball joint is "loaded" when the car is jacked up by the frame. They are fairly straightforward to replace and since they are not "loaded" they are fairly safe to do yourself.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #3 –
well i do kno for the brakelights it could be something as simple as the fuse, most people tend to overlook those, even tho they are one of the cheapest things to replace, and if all your brake lights dont work, that is probably they cause, but im not sure, but i'd be sure to check that.
1988 Thunderbird sport
2004 Ford F150 Lariat
2008  Chevrolet Cobalt Sport
2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S dual sport/Supermoto
1988 Thunderbird LX - sold
1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with GST kit - gone

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #4 –
when i said "im going to get most of these parts from the wrecker cept balljoints" i wasnt lying.....  but i will try smashing some wrecker bjs out  would be for practice.

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #5 –



oooh that looks like a buggar. so the mf is expensive? maybe ill take a few of them from the wrecker.... is there a part number that i can tell what mf switch is new or oem?

i cant replace just the balljoint? M#$%#!$^!$!!*((^$^@!!!!

im going to see if i can have the ball joints pressed out with a c frame balljoint remover? ive hear the towncars are like that and they sell the balljoints at parts stores



fuse #6 under the dash is linked to the brake lights...

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #6 –
thanks for the help, im gonna crack it tomorrow

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #7 –
Quote from: impulsebuykevin
i cant replace just the balljoint? M#$%#!$^!$!!*((^$^@!!!!

im going to see if i can have the ball joints pressed out with a c frame balljoint remover? ive hear the towncars are like that and they sell the balljoints at parts stores
No, you can't press them out with a C-frame ball joint remover. They are a completely different design than a Town car - the lower one is actually very similar (but larger) than a Tempo style, while the upper is a wishbone control arm. Both have the ball joints made as part of the control arm and are non-replaceable.

The Town Car uses stamped steel control arms (similar to Fox cars, except there are two per side) and even though the manual says they are not replacable, they are (just like Fox cars). YOur MN12 car is different though.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #8 –
Brake lights: Don't forget the stupidly obvious... the bulbs. :hick:
I had a customer at a gas station years back, all 6 bulbs burned out, the driver didn't even know!
Death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

1988 5.0 Bird, mostly stock, partly not, now gone to T-Bird heaven.
1990 Volvo 740GL. 114 tire-shredding horsies, baby!
 

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #9 –
another q

is the upper balljoint greasable?

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #10 –
Quote from: impulsebuykevin
another q

is the upper balljoint greasable?

Nope. I don't think Ford used a greasable joint in a car since the 1970's. If the ball joint was still good but just dry you could poke a very small hole in the boot, then inject some grease in with a needle grease gun (no you didn't hear that here :hick:), but if there's any play in it at all it's gotta be replaced.

The replacement likely won't be greasable either, unless you get a cheap (white box) one.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
No, you can't press them out with a C-frame ball joint remover. They are a completely different design than a Town car - the lower one is actually very similar (but larger) than a Tempo style, while the upper is a wishbone control arm. Both have the ball joints made as part of the control arm and are non-replaceable.

The Town Car uses stamped steel control arms (similar to Fox cars, except there are two per side) and even though the manual says they are not replacable, they are (just like Fox cars). YOur MN12 car is different though.


No, the lower front on an MN12 car is replaceable, I have done at least 20 pairs of them.  The upper ball joints are not replaceable, you have to buy whole new uppers.  They are not so bad now that you can get them at AutoZone.  Installing them on a 4.6 car sucks though!
Matt :tg:

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #12 –
Quote from: slowfoxbird
No, the lower front on an MN12 car is replaceable, I have done at least 20 pairs of them.  The upper ball joints are not replaceable, you have to buy whole new uppers.  They are not so bad now that you can get them at AutoZone.  Installing them on a 4.6 car sucks though!

Ok, that must have changed since I had mine (about 10 years ago). When I had my '91 there were no replacement lowers, you had to replace the whole thing.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #13 –
Yeah, that is the way that it used to be, but now you can get the lower separtaely.  I think even Motorcraft makes it separate now.  I am glad to be rid of my MN12, what a pain in the nuts to work on!!
Matt :tg:

got my saftey inspection list :( -pls read

Reply #14 –
Yeah, that is the way that it used to be, but now you can get the lower separtaely.  I think even Motorcraft makes it separate now.  I am glad to be rid of my MN12, what a pain in the nuts to work on!!
Matt :tg: