Metric or US Standard threads?

[jpeacock]

Eminent X Owners,
The time has come for me to start doing stuff to my new/used 2001 X. I'm going to start with the shocks and steering stabilizer. Can't afford doing front springs or a Hellwig at the same time. Are the shock and stabilizer bolts metric or US Standard? My wife has an Expedition and I swear that some of the bolts are metric and some are US Standard. It has 100k and still has the OEM shocks. I tried to replace them, but; couldn't get the bolts off the front shocks. The previous owner look like he tried too because the bolt heads were all buggered up. Even PB Blaster couldn't free them up. I am afraid I will find the same thing on my X. I was thinking about trying those new socket style bolt extractors they advertise at Sears. Any advise or ideas?

Pea****

[dmftoy1]

I just got a set of socket extractors but haven't used them yet, so I'm curious as to how they work for you.

I'm not 100% sure this is correct but this is the rule of thumb that I've been operating under (and it seems accurate on my truck). The engine appears to use standard fasteners, and everything else on the truck appears to be metric.

One reason it can get confusing is that metric and standard overlap in certain area's. I know that 13mm and 1/2 is the same, and I'm sure there are others. (I think 8mm and 5/16 are identical too)

Regards,
Dave

[dmftoy1]

Oh, and one other piece of advice for the buggered bolts . . .put a little heat on them (in case they used red locktite) and then try to get a 6 point impact socket on them. I've had good luck with a 6 point impact socket/impact wrench on getting stuff like that off.

Regards,
Dave

[Tailgate]

Standard or Metric? Yes. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

As for the shocks, I replaced the front shocks a few weeks ago with the help of my ever-generous buddy KwikStix (thanks again!). We didn't have any problem getting the nuts off the top of the shocks other than it takes FOREVER with crescent wrench (don't have hydraulic tools).

The hardest one is the passenger's side front. Don't even think about trying to get to the nut and bolt from the top (aka the Engine compartment). You have to go through the wheel well. Just remove the little buttons holding in that dirt guard (or just cut it) and move it out of the way so you can see the top of the bolt. There's not a lot of room for you to move a wrench, and the bolt is LOOOONG. So it takes about 5-8 minutes of itty-bitty little wrench turns (about 1/4 turn each [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]). You'll get tired, believe me. The driver's side can be gotten to easily with a long extension or two on your socket wrench.

You'll be amazed at how bad the OEM shocks are. Mine is a 2000 X, and I've only put 28K on it...but they were SHOT. Literally worthless. Can't wait to replace the rear shocks and put the Hellwig on in a few weeks.

[H ED S]

Pea**** go by a hardware store and get the large sized "Gator Grip" that fits a 1\2' drive. The pins will fit on the flats of the nut or bolt end and may get them loose for you.

Anyway good luck - [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] - Ed

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