Detailed the ol' LS. Buffed and waxed the car using Turtle Wax's Black car wax...I think it worked really well
Bought an '09 black Silverado Z71 4X4 to park beside all the LS'es.
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'97 Maxima is being gifted to my friend's kid who just got his license.
I had my 2006 Lincoln Mark LT's interior and exterior detailed.
Nice, thanks for the apple tip. BTW, I tried to do a thank you on your description of changing sway bar bushings but it didn't take so I'll say here:
Thanks you for the great writeup.
You probably know that I followed your procedure (mostly). I did use the dremel under there and it was as scary as I had feared but thank goodness it didn't slip and cut a hose or my hand or something.
I do have a question - did your front end quiet right down after you changed these bushings? Cause mine didn't and I'm now swapping lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends and shocks to try to eliminate more noise.
I did a minor color change of the insert of the grill from grey to black and it turned out great.
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Thanks ! i am going to look for the red cross hair and use acetone or paint thinner to remove part of the paint color on the emblem so i can fit in a tiny led to illuminate it when i turn the car on
This evening I was able replaced the driver's rear LCA and eliminated that absolutely nasty squeaking/screeching noises. The grease zerk trick only worked for about 500 mile on the driver side LCA outer bushing since apparently the bushing must have been too far damaged before the modification. The grease zerk trick is still working on the passenger side LCA, even though that one also had damaged seals, but the passenger side LCA outer bushing never started squeaking. Just need to buy some new Moog grease-able rear sway bar link ends and schedule the time to change out the passenger side LCA as well. Then I will need to take the car to get it re-aligned.
BTW, from what I was able to find, right now Apple Ford Parts seems to have the best price on the Gen II rear LCA p/n's; 6W4Z-5A649-AA and 6W4Z-5A649-AB, bought the pair for $485 plus shipping. Company info:
Apple Ford Parts,
7200 150th Street West
Apple Valley, Minnesota, 55124
USA
844-847-8715
parts@appleautosparts.com
Okay since posts without pictures followup are always frowned upon...
I replaced the passenger side LCA and both rear sway bar link ends while I was in there with Moog HD greaseable units. Yes I know the factory Sport shock housings look rusty, but they still dampen just fine and are not leaking. Plus after replacing the LCA, I now have to save up for the Bilstein B4 struts/shocks.
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Now about those Bilstiens: after reading posts by you and others, I was sold on getting some of those (Jaguar parts?) for my sport 2001 LS. Then, I looked at the prices on FCP Euro and even with a 5% discount and free shipping they're in the high $300 apiece. Maybe since they include the spring and are Bilstiens they might be worth it but certainly saving up will be necessary here as well.
Not sure where you are at but here in the States, a full set of 2000-02 Jaguar S-type Bilstein B4 shocks and shock (non electronic adjustable suspension) can be had for about $400-425 total. The required 2000-02 Jaguar S-type 4.0L V8 front springs (non electronic adjustable suspension) are about $200 for the pair.