100,000 mile check up

Ret

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My 2008 Mustang GT/CS has a little over 72,000 miles on it. I've gone to the same mechanic for over twenty years and have a high level of trust in him. My questions and request have nothing to with lack of trust, it's his opinion. He suggests that I not wait and do the 100,000 service now.

I bought it truly from the "little old lady from Pasadena". There's no service history records that came with the car. Family sold the car to help pay convalescent home care. When I bought it, my mechanic went over the car finding absolutely nothing wrong, discovered all new brakes and new tires. The car's appearance implies it's been garaged and taken care of.

Because of a prior post on this site about the two piece and single piece spark plugs and when Ford went to the single piece plug in 2008. I did some research and found it got down to the month your car was assembled in 2008. According to my build date I should have had the two pieces but had plugs pulled and they were single piece. I don't know if the previous owner had the two-piece replaced or Canada was putting them in earlier than the US. (Car assembled in Canada).

There are many knowledgeable Mustang owners on this site. I'm hoping for some tips on things that definitely should be checked, replaced, etc.

And, opinions as to doing it now or waiting until the 100,000-mile mark.

Thanks
 
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GlassTop09

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My 2008 Mustang GT/CS has a little over 72,000 miles on it. I've gone to the same mechanic for over twenty years and have a high level of trust in him. My questions and request have nothing to with lack of trust, it's his opinion. He suggests that I not wait and do the 100,000 service now.

I bought it truly from the "little old lady from Pasadena". There's no service history records that came with the car. Family sold the car to help pay convalescent home care. When I bought it, my mechanic went over the car finding absolutely nothing wrong, discovered all new brakes and new tires. The car's appearance implies it's been garaged and taken care of.

Because of a prior post on this site about the two piece and single piece spark plugs and when Ford went to the single piece plug in 2008. I did some research and found it got down to the month your car was assembled in 2008. According to my build date I should have had the two pieces but had plugs pulled and they were single piece. I don't know if the previous owner had the two-piece replaced or Canada was putting them in earlier than the US. (Car assembled in Canada).

There are many knowledgeable Mustang owners on this site. I'm hoping for some tips on things that definitely should be checked, replaced, etc.

And, opinions as to doing it now or waiting until the 100,000-mile mark.

Thanks
If I may ask, what's your mechanic's version of the 100,000 mi service entail?
This info will help us all to help you.

At this mileage, IMHO I'd consider to get the cooling system flushed\refilled w\ fresh MY-correct Ford Yellow coolant (Anti-freeze does break down over time.....the main thing is it losing its anti-corrosion protection in your aluminum block engine) & maybe get the rear axle fluid changed\refilled just so you know the condition (Ford treats the rear axle as a 1-time lifetime item thus if not leaking to not change the diff fluid........for warranty purposes at which you're well past......), after these 2 items the rest is IMHO on a need to repair basis (suspension, struts, shocks, etc). If your car is an auto, then this is the iffy one as if your trans is working properly & is not leaking then I'd not have it messed with at this mileage, but others might chime in on this. If manual then yes, get the trans ATF changed out (Ford called for the TR3650's fluid to be changed every 4 yrs\60,000 mi) as it wouldn't hurt to do so as long as it is refilled w\ Mercon V ATF at a minimum.

The rest of the stuff is small items that IMHO should've been covered during your regular oil change service intervals.

Shooting off the hip here so hope this helps you out, sir.
 

86GT351

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It is a hard discussion in the industry. We see cars that are elderly owned and have practically no mileage. However the fluids, etc still need to be maintained. Being that there is no service history, get ahead of it. Like mentioned, coolant flush, spark plugs etc.
 

Laga

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It’s 15 years old. Change all the fluids if you intend on keeping it. Do not get a solvent flush of the auto trans. Just change the ATF. You should also check the connections of the battery cables and negative ground points.
 

Caren B

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000_1766 - Copy.JPG 4.JPG

I am just a junior member. This Mustang is only 35K miles, but that is because I drive it very little and not for any distance. My question, air lift suspension 4H, when lowered, it rest on the front driver's side tire and on the rear passenger's side tire. It is like it is crooked or the whole body is resting at an angle. Is there a way to have all this fixed so that when I lower the car, it is not off set?
 
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DieHarder

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Cool looking car. You/someone have obviously done quite a bit of modification to it and the suspension. Don't know much about bag systems but I'd ask is there any static adjustment available in the air lift system or on each wheel (similar to many coilovers)?

History on the car? Has it ever been in an accident? Might want to take some measurements with the bags slightly inflated to see what the difference is on the tire to body clearance for all 4 wheels. (May just be normal; my car has around a 1/4" difference from side to side and my son's does as well. Could probably adjust it out if I got coilovers but never really bothered me that much.) If major differences are noted may be worth taking it to a frame/suspension shop that specializes in bag systems to see what they have to say.
 

JC SSP

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Also, consider serpentine belt replacement, flush brake fluid, fuel filter, etc.

A good visual inspection goes a long way too... hoses, bushings, etc.
 

DieHarder

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I am just a junior member. This Mustang is only 35K miles, but that is because I drive it very little and not for any distance. My question, air lift suspension 4H, when lowered, it rest on the front driver's side tire and on the rear passenger's side tire. It is like it is crooked or the whole body is resting at an angle. Is there a way to have all this fixed so that when I lower the car, it is not off set?

See reply above.
 
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Possibly different air pressures in tires or if it is lowered in same spot each time (pavements not level?). Have seen many cars like that normally, what’s left?
 

Ret

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Thanks everyone. Glasstop, thanks for the detailed response. I'll have to check with him on fluids. He's pretty sharp. I've watched him tear down vehicles and totally rebuild/ refurbish them. Watched him from time to time working on his race car. He knows his stuff, but don't know how well he knows Mustangs.
 
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Got side-tracked a few posts up, didn’t answer question. Is CS “Calif. Special”? I too would have such a nice car treated to “the works”. Don’t tear stuff apart (agreed), if it works maybe procrastinate?? My idea concurs would be to have everything checked, fluids, filters as applicable and heed recommendations without getting say a complete valve job.

Just saw picture of car somewheres…
 

Ret

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GT/CS is California Special, I didn't know what it meant at the time. When I joined this site I said, " it was obvious I didn't know what I was buying, and the seller didn't know what he was selling". I just liked the looks of the car, and it reminded me a little of my 1970 Mach I.

I bought the car for my 81st birthday three years ago. When, I spoke with my wife about buying it she wasn't thrilled. But one day she remained in the car while I went in the store. When I came back, she had a big smile. She then told me a young man had talked with her and told her "lady your car really rocks". She now has Mustang shirts, jackets and hats.

My son and his wife have really gotten into Mustang convertibles as well and mine will go to them when I can't use it anymore.

2008 Mustang GT-CS -A.jpg
 

Tizzy

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Going through something similar with my kids 07. It has 95k on the clock. Call it a clean and check. Changed all the fluids, including ps and brake. Checking/ replacing struts, shocks, plugs, fuel filter, air filter, brakes and brake hoses. Replaced upper and lower control arms (bushings were degraded). A lot of the things we changed were preventative, some because they were worn, and some because we needed to know they were done moving forward.
I’d at least talk to your mechanic and see what he proposes. Make a list and prioritize it, then go from there.
 

darien87

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I am just a junior member. This Mustang is only 35K miles, but that is because I drive it very little and not for any distance. My question, air lift suspension 4H, when lowered, it rest on the front driver's side tire and on the rear passenger's side tire. It is like it is crooked or the whole body is resting at an angle. Is there a way to have all this fixed so that when I lower the car, it is not off set?

What's with the thread hijack?
 
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GT/CS is California Special, I didn't know what it meant at the time. When I joined this site I said, " it was obvious I didn't know what I was buying, and the seller didn't know what he was selling". I just liked the looks of the car, and it reminded me a little of my 1970 Mach I.

I bought the car for my 81st birthday three years ago. When, I spoke with my wife about buying it she wasn't thrilled. But one day she remained in the car while I went in the store. When I came back, she had a big smile. She then told me a young man had talked with her and told her "lady your car really rocks". She now has Mustang shirts, jackets and hats.

My son and his wife have really gotten into Mustang convertibles as well and mine will go to them when I can't use it anymore.

View attachment 85208
Roger that sounds like both keepers there, congrats on getting to that 80 marker and then some. Have about another 2 1/2 years to go myself- current goal, no guarantees. They (relatives) all want me dead so my car is available (kidding, well maybe lol).
 

GriffX

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Thanks everyone. Glasstop, thanks for the detailed response. I'll have to check with him on fluids. He's pretty sharp. I've watched him tear down vehicles and totally rebuild/ refurbish them. Watched him from time to time working on his race car. He knows his stuff, but don't know how well he knows Mustangs.
My car is also low mileage from 07. The only damage I got from not using it was a damaged idler pulley bearing. I just replaced the bearings. Probably check all idler pulleys, mine were all hard to spin, replaced them all. Hint: Brown spark plug boot -> one piece plug, black boot ->2
 

Forty61

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Just change all the fluids and the plugs. I have about the same mileage and need to do the same service to my car.

As for that lowered one on bags.. is it still running a panhard bar? Is it just pushing the whole body over too far since you’re trying to drop the suspension way past the stock geometry?
 

Ret

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Thanks for the input, everyone. being over 84 years old is a surprise. Not that I had a goal in mind. I retired at age 60 and here it is 24 years later. I do believe keeping busy in retirement years is the key. I have been a drummer in Scottish Pipe Bands for over 25 years, helped start up a Pipe Band in North Idaho and have been with them 22 years. During the same period, I served 11 years with the Coast Guard Auxiliary teaching classes, working on the lake and from time to time sent to the Coast Guard Academy for training. Even I found it funny travelling on Military orders at age 74. And, now that I've slowed down, I have my Mustang and I submit an occasional article for the Mustang car club in Washington State. Keep busy, your body won't realize you passed away!.;)
 

JC SSP

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God bless you and your family.

FYI Mustangs are the fountain of youth! :) LOL
 

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