The Unofficial "Ask a Stupid Question" Thread

Also check your main ground and connections at the battery. Mine did something a little more enthusiastic than that (it was like the whole car was "rebooting") a number of weeks ago as I was going down the interstate - ended up being the dork at Walmart who replaced they battery didn't tighten the negative terminal. :facepalm:
 
Is it common for the inner tie rod ends to go bad on MN12s?

Noticed a rattle in the front end the other day. I can reproduce the noise it if I tug on the drivers side tie rod. Pretty sure I already replaced both outer ends several years ago and the car has under 100k miles... :unsure:
 
I wouldn't say so, IME they usually go 150k+ before they need any attention. I replaced them on the T-bird proactively at like 160k and they were fine; the 98 I replaced them a few months ago and the driver's side was a bit worn (at 225k).
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Didn't someone once state on here that you could remove the seat belts from the retractors (e.g., for washing)? If so, does that require release of the spring, or is there another way?
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Yes the spring has to be removed to get the pin out(the spring is what tensions the pin to roll up the belt)
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Didn't someone once state on here that you could remove the seat belts from the retractors (e.g., for washing)? If so, does that require release of the spring, or is there another way?
Click to expand...
Pull them all the way out and then clamp right at the retractor. You'll get 99% of them washed that way. I did it in a tote with a laundry detergent and purple power solution. Let them soak for a few hours and then brushed them really good. Hosed them off and they looked like new.
 
Kenz said:
Is it common for the inner tie rod ends to go bad on MN12s?

Noticed a rattle in the front end the other day. I can reproduce the noise it if I tug on the drivers side tie rod. Pretty sure I already replaced both outer ends several years ago and the car has under 100k miles... :unsure:
Click to expand...
Just a thought, but how are the wheel bearings?
 
Zep5.0 said:
Pull them all the way out and then clamp right at the retractor. You'll get 99% of them washed that way. I did it in a tote with a laundry detergent and purple power solution. Let them soak for a few hours and then brushed them really good. Hosed them off and they looked like new.
Click to expand...
What color where / are your belts? And how bad were the stains?
 
White Lincoln said:
Just a thought, but how are the wheel bearings?
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I'll check it out when I get it in the air, but 99% sure it's in the tierod. Cougar is back in the shop bay sitting for now. I don't think it's unsafe to drive but it can stay in time out for a bit until I get time to figure it out.

My Firebird will be happy to get more drive time now :headbang:
We need a mullet emoji here!
 
What resistor do I need to disable the passenger airbag and not get a fault code?
 
Zep5.0 said:
Pull them all the way out and then clamp right at the retractor. You'll get 99% of them washed that way. I did it in a tote with a laundry detergent and purple power solution. Let them soak for a few hours and then brushed them really good. Hosed them off and they looked like new.
Click to expand...
This is the post I recall reading. Thanks for the reminder Zep.
 
I disassembled the ones in Lazarus, put the metal ends in socks, with rubber bands, threw them in the commercial washer at the laundromat with some rugs, and they looked new. No bleach, no fabric softener.
 
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