clpeller

I have a 2004, 3 valve 5.4 L, lariat SCrew with 261,000 Km on the odo and she needs some help. And for me to give her the love she needs, I need your lol. It has a multitude of problems, some of which I may just be making worse in my own head, but I'm going to tell you all of them anyways. Here's the list

1) Has a shudder at idle when the engine is warm. I noticed it about a month ago, and it was getting progressively worse, and about a week ago I ran Sea Foam through the engine using the 1/3 Brake booster, 1/3 Crank case, and 1/3 Fuel tank. Now I'm not sure if this actually made the shudder a little better, or if I just wanted it to so it seemed like it did. But the shudder is still there but not quite as bad. I changed out the sea-foamed oil after 100km.

2)When I come to a stop, and have to accelerate turning (ie/ stop sign, then making a right turn) it kind of stutters, almost as if one wheel is hopping. I'm thinking that this is the diff starting to go, but I would rather that not be it so I want to know if there is anything else I can look at? If it is the diff, whats the damage (moneywise) and how do I go about fixing it? Keep in mind that it only does it when I've come to a stop and accelerate again, not when I'm going any speed at all.

3)I think the front shocks are crapped out. When I hit a bump in the road its not nearly as smooth as it used to be, and it feels kind of like a thump (a very mild mild one, not an "oh sh** what was that" type thing) rather than the floaty type feeling it used to have. However, I did the front bumper jump test and it passed. So it might be that I lost one of the rubber housings that hold the shock in place at the top or bottom? Or maybe it's not even my shocks, is there anything else I should check?

4)When driving down the road at 100 (***KM/H***) and I put the pedal to the floor (passing someone) there is quite the jolt. Now I'm not sure if its just the fact that the truck is gearing down+has that much power, and I'm going the exact right speed that it makes the jolt. Or is something wrong there?

5)When I got my oil changed the other day I was told that the rear pinion seal is leaking. Not enough that it needed much fluid put in it, but a little bit. What is a pinion seal? How much would it cost to do it myself (the shop said they would do it for $119)? How would I do it myself? And what can continued leaking do?

6)I want to change my spark plugs out. I don't know if the original owner did or not (I'm sure hoping they were changed...) so it might have original plugs in it.... me if it does, especially with this high of mileage. But the real problem I'm facing is that I have no idea how to get to them... I know there is a tsb on how to change them, but it assumes you know what the F you're looking for/where to look. lol. I know what a spark plug looks like (i'm not that terrible) but I just don't know where to get at them. I'm also going to buy the lisle tool (95600 I think is the part number, too lazy to look right now. lol) when I can find out where it's sold, just in case I need it... So any pics/detailed instructions would be awesome


I might be missing something here, but just can't think of anything else right now. As you may have gathered from my posts, I've never done much for mechanic-ing... I pick it up pretty damn easy, but when it's my first time doing something I like to know as much as possible/have pictures if I can/know what I'm actually looking for. Once I find out what something is, I rarely forget it if I've wrenched on it, but I've never wrenched on my truck (other than minor, minor things) so I need some good guidance. Thanks everyone in advance for any help you can manage to throw my way, and if you have any questions I will gladly provide you with any information you need.

rrogers1221

wow your hands must be sore from typing.didnt read it all but wanted to tell you good luck sounds like some of the same problems i have

clpeller

Ha ha. I'm actually a really fast typist. So the part that took me the longest was trying to put all my thoughts into a form that would make sense to everyone else.. lol. I'm not sure if i succeeded in that part though... Thanks for the bump though

aidswolf

whats the front bumper test?

clpeller

Standing on it and jumping. lol. Get it moving as much as you can, then stop. It should come to a stop after 1 up and down (or less). If it keeps on keeping on then its a good chance your shocks are crapped out.

clpeller

bumpity bump to the top

picaflor

i dont think that bumper test will work in a heavy weight f150.... maybe in an small sedan. but you can try driving the car and make a sudden stop and see how much it bounces or if "clicks" when you do it.

clpeller

Gonna bump this to the top again. Hopefully someone will be bored at work today and know what they're talking about

bobkyle2

dude.....when i get to work ill read everyword... too many words for me this early lol

clpeller

Ha ha. ya its kind of a novel. But I figured making 1 huge post would be better than six different threads. Lol. And thanks in advance