Picked up a used SMB EB51, E250, 5.4L, 4x2, 45kmi. Need help

ehc0720 · 10-29-2011, 07:33 PM

Well it looks great, see my gallery, but it needs tires, brakes and shocks. When I hit the brakes it pulls to the right, I bit of a shimmy at 60+ mph, and still has the original shocks I think (blue no markings I can see). It has 2 new tires, uniroyal liberators Walmart tires, 1 older uniroyal and an old goodyear on it. Stock wheels and 225/75/16 E tires. So do I buy 1 or 2 more Uniroyals or a set of something else maybe a different size, any suggestions? Also are these the original shocks and what should I replace them with? Help new at this never had a truck or van.

billwilson · 10-29-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehc0720

Well it looks great, see my gallery, but it needs tires, brakes and shocks. When I hit the brakes it pulls to the right, I bit of a shimmy at 60+ mph, and still has the original shocks I think (blue no markings I can see). It has 2 new tires, uniroyal liberators Walmart tires, 1 older uniroyal and an old goodyear on it. Stock wheels and 225/75/16 E tires. So do I buy 1 or 2 more Uniroyals or a set of something else maybe a different size, any suggestions? Also are these the original shocks and what should I replace them with? Help new at this never had a truck or van. :b7:

Tires Brakes & Shocks
Important Stuff

Me and a Used Rig:
4 new tires
Full brake job, bearings, pads, rotors/drums
New Shocks
best parts you can afford

Additionaly:
full tune up
new plugs, wires, belts, whatever else is easy to replace
flush radiator, new coolant, new upper and lower hoses
replace trany, differential and motor oil
(i would do another old change in 1,000 miles or so)
wiper blades too

Now you have a bench mark
cheaping out on replacing a $25 hose when on the road is a bummer

Another though
some of the parts (belts and hoses)
maybe stash them for emergency spares

Also
change all fuses, or at least get a handfull
of spares all sizes to replace
AND look where they go in the daylight when it is not raining or snowing

I have a couple hundred in spare parts stashed in my rig
gives me comfort when i am a long way from home

Example:
we pulled into the Infamous Valley of Fire Meet N Greet ( thanx again Mac!! and family)
and after wandering around talking first nite
the wife mentioned the interior lights did not work
found the blown fuse easy (i had already scoped out locations and how to pull)
pulled out my grab bag from WallyWorld and Kraken and of the 30+ fuses i had
only ONE was the right one
I turned a bummer evening into a 5 minute fix

Great looking rig
put new shoes on and go get it dirty!!
and PICS!!

bw

ehc0720 · 10-30-2011, 03:29 PM

Well the Ford dealer had done their full inspection, they flushed the brake fluid and replace the fuel filter and said everything else was good. Rode bad though, so I took it to the Big-O tire place after looking up local recommendations for places. This is what they say needs to be done and are doing. New hoses, front upper ball joints, rear calipers and pads (right rear caliper stuck), new set of Michelin LTX tires, 2 stock wheels (two are bent), and an alignment. About $2200 in all, I got $4500 off the asking price, I knew there were issues so I'm good.

dhally · 11-01-2011, 02:26 PM

You can't kill these things.

ehc0720 · 11-01-2011, 10:06 PM

Well I got all the work done,rear calipers, ball joints, etc. The van still goes off to the right when applying the brakes. Any ideas here? I'm wondering if there is a master cylinder or brake line issue. Did jack up each corner and spin the wheel and then hit the brakes and each wheel stopped ok.

jage · 11-02-2011, 10:51 AM

What did you do to the front brakes?

**daveb** · 11-02-2011, 11:49 AM

I'd take it back to Big-O who did the rear brake job. Maybe Ford didn't bleed the brakes or left some air in the lines. Big-O should have caught it on the test drive and told you even if Ford did part of the job.

ehc0720 · 11-02-2011, 09:32 PM

Well they did the front brakes and re-bled the lines today and it still pulls to the right. I asked them to checkout the master cylinder and proportioning valve, everything looked fine there. They are bringing in mechanic from another shop tomorrow to look it over and to give his 2 cents. What about the ABS acting up, could that cause it? Anyway the new wheels and tires look good!!!

jage · 11-03-2011, 11:05 PM

Smooth pull and all fluids looking fine sounds to me like caliper piston- one isn't grabbing, or not grabbing evenly. Sounds like they've been throwing parts at it instead of diagnosing, which is unfortunate because my next thought would be to throw calipers at it...

You can also rotate the tires... I'd be surprised, but it's time not money (several places will rotate for free)

ehc0720 · 11-04-2011, 11:24 AM

OK, now all calipers, pads and one hose has been replace, now pulls to the left?!?! I'm wondering if the proportioning valve or the ABS unit is bad.