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questions on '90-AWD Astro
#204184 May 13th 2008 7:48 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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Festerus Vannimus
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Hey all, it looks like I am getting a 1990 Astro van AWD for $350.00! It has some issues thou, and I have questions for you all......

First off, it has a growl in the front end, he took it to a shop for a estimate, was told $500.00 to fix it, any ideas as to the problem?
The owner also said that a year or so ago the rear end was growling so bad that they had to have it fixed while in Las Vegas on vacation with his family. The growl, according to the owner is not noticable if driving under 35/40 MPH if that helps at all.

Drivers window does not work, electric motor is probably out...how hard is that to fix?

Also, this van has a digital dash that likes to cut out at times, can that be turned into a analog dash or ????

Any other problems I should be aware of with this model year Astro AWD?


some pics of the ASTRO on page 4 of my CARDOMAIN page...


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Uncle_Fester #204188 May 13th 2008 7:51 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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One other question...is it possable to just drop the front drive shaft and make it a two wheel drive, at least for a short period of time?


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Uncle_Fester #204266 May 13th 2008 11:30 pm
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enthusiast
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if you take out the front shaft the park in your tranny will slip.
only reason i know is i did this and found my van at the end of my driveway.


Vans on the run
vice prez
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
vancrzy #204280 May 14th 2008 1:46 am
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Festerus Vannimus
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Originally Posted by vancrzy
if you take out the front shaft the park in your tranny will slip.
only reason i know is i did this and found my van at the end of my driveway.


ROTFLMAO! Ummmn, hunny, have you seen the van....oh, never mind I found it, it's in the pond again! lol


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Uncle_Fester #204283 May 14th 2008 5:49 am
Joined: Oct 2001
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Madman!
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The growl in the front is prolly a CV joint. The window motor (If it is that) is a fairly easy job, just a bit time consuming. A good glass shop can prolly do it in about an hour tho for round $100.

Dash, I believe you would have to change the wiring harness to swap dashes out.

The van is all wheel drive, I could be wrong, but I don't think it has a standard 4x4 transfer case with front driveshaft. Meaning, I don't believe it is possible to remove the front driveshaft.


Ken Schwarz
Tricky Truckers, N.J.
Van Clan Plus One, Canada
Manse Vans, Finland
Rebel Vanners, N.J. "USA"
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www.showvans.com

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/360991

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Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Superbeast #204383 May 14th 2008 12:41 pm
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old hand
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Your van looks familiar... LOL

Can the growling in the front be pin-pointed to one side? I think it would be the wheel bearing. I guess once you lift it and really check you will figure it out. It might be a good thing to do a fluid change in the transfer case.

The window regulator is a fairly easy fix. Most guys on AstroSafari.com buy it from e-bay for a pretty good price.

The digital dash is desirable and it's not an easy swap. If you can take find the cause of the problem it would be much better to fix it. Or swap in another digital dash.

Problems with a 1990 AWD? Not really. It's in my opinion the best years. TBI, 700R4, the bar below the hood can be removed for easy engine swap, shorty, etc... Easy to fix and modify. Cheap parts.

I loved my AWD and would never run it 2WD. Especially if you find out that the growling isn't related to the CV joints.



Mathieu
[Linked Image]
"Electric Avenue", my '79 Ford.
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Mat Mobile #204396 May 14th 2008 2:06 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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I am accually HOPING the growling is a CV joint, I can do that myself for $75.00! lol If it is a hub going bad..the part is $600-$800.00, Wheelbearings are cheap and easy too. guess as soon as I get it...up in the air she goes!

And you are right Mat...it DOES look a bit familiar...maybe I should add Torque Thrusts and rear window louvers to mine and we would have twins!lol


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Uncle_Fester #204656 May 15th 2008 9:03 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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Hey Mat,
What size tire / wheel combo do you have on your 91 Astro? I really like the way it sits and looks... I accually plan on using AR-23 wheels on mine, but if I could find out the wheel size and back spacing, as well as the tire size/s that would be GREAT.....

By the way...am I in trouble for hijacking my own thread?!?!


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: questions on '90-AWD Astro
Uncle_Fester #204657 May 15th 2008 9:07 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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Oh, update from the owner of the van...he says the noise the front end is making does not appear to come from one side or the other, and sounds like agressive 4x4 tires on the pavement and does not start untill over 35-40 MPH.... ideas, thought?


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
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