Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Maine Trip & Family Motor Coaching Magazine (Read 11 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Maine Trip & Family Motor Coaching Magazine
Yahoo Message Number: 146934
The June 2014 issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine has an article on Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park which might be helpful to those who would like to come to Maine.
 The author of the article, however, touts staying in Bangor and day tripping to both parks...I would strongly disagree with that recommendation.  However, YMMV.
 At the end of the article are 5 websites referenced where one will get more info to plan a trip.

TinaP 2006 MB..."Wild Thing" who is just back from her visit to the Ford Truck shop for inspection sticker, oil and filter changes, new Michelins (recall), new front shock bushings and torqued rear shock bushings, new sway bar bushings and D bushings at 52,443 miles...will need new center bearing before we take off in Fall
2006 MB
Re: Maine Trip & Family Motor Coaching Magazine
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 146937
Could not agree more.  Staying that far away (Bangor)  means that you will lose a lot of time enjoying Acadia.  For Baxter State Park we stay in Medway at Katahdin Shadows, a commercial park but okay  Medway makes seeing Baxter convenient and you can also do some touring on the Golden Road, which was the timber route out.  There are a couple of federal or state campgrounds on a waterway.  Very neat; however, we have never taken advantage as the road can be a bit rough.  If you kayak or canoe, Togue Pond is a really neat paddle.  Gives you a great look at Katahdin Mountain, the end of the AT.

Bob in Florida  SE 5
 
Re: Maine Trip & Family Motor Coaching Magazine
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 146948
"Wild Thing" who is just back from her visit to the Ford Truck shop for  inspection sticker, oil and filter changes, new Michelins (recall), new  front shock bushings and torqued rear shock bushings, new sway bar  bushings and D bushings at 52,443 miles"
 You will notice that Tina's low mileage required some replacement bushings in the front sway bar and also shock absorber bushings.
Almost every Ford LD has problems with the front shock's top bushings either loosening or blowing out.
The driver's side top shock bushing's nut is almost impossible to get to, consequently, it almost never gets tightened.
Here is a link to the process and tools I use to tighten the top bushing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157631188332896/show
 It's best to have your mechanic check all of the front bushings yearly. Same goes for the rear shocks which just tend to loosen and not blow out.
With use, the front sway bar distorts the bushings located in each I-beam axle, requiring replacement when they wear so much that additional sway is noticed. The rear sway bar tends to distort the adjustable donut-shaped bushings, located on the rear sway bar links.
 Bushings gradually wear, so you do not notice the ride and steering slowly become less tight and responsive.
Many times an owner will have all sorts of parts replaced, such as shocks, steering stabilizer,  ball-joints and tie-rod ends, in an attempt to cure problems caused by a worn bushing or two.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze