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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4-wheel acutator and solenoid

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Expert: - 6/7/2010


Question
Hello,

The ford repair experts are all "maxed out". I'm hoping you will be able to answer my question. I'm not looking for specific repair steps, I would just like to know how difficult replacement would be. The dealership is going to charge $700 and I would like to avoid that expense if at all possible. Their diagnosis of the problem is that I need both front actuators replaced and one solenoid. I own a 2004 Ford F-150 V-8. I'm thinking that with the help of my dad, we can do the replacement. I just would like to have an opinion on how difficult this job would be. My dad has a descent amount of repair experience, just not any with this particular part. Could you give me your opinion on how difficult it is to replace the actuator and solenoid? On a scale of 1-10, 10 being very difficult professional needed, what would you rate this type of job? Any other information would be great.

Thank you for your opinion.

Answer
Mark,

I would rate this repair at a 2.  This is a fairly easy replacement.
I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual.  They cost around $20 at most auto parts stores, and are great if you plan on doing any trouble shooting, or repair yourself.

Carl  

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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