IN FIRESHO's GARAGE
What you will find here are various tips on how to perform upgrades and improve your 96-99 Taurus SHO. Along the way I will be adding detailed descriptions on how to perform many of the maintenance tasks needed to keepyour SHO in tip top condition.
I Purchased my TOREADOR RED SHO in August of 1997, in Green Bay Wisconsin, with 18,000 miles on it. I recently went over 61,000 miles. Like any other car, my road has not been without bumps. On the whole I have been extemely pleased with my SHO. However, since I bought it, I have performed the following minor repairs, upgrades and fixups:
1. Power window motors: 26K were randomly inoperative. Fixed under warranty.
2. Trunk Leak: 26K Replaced trunk gasket under warranty.
3. Fuel Pump failed: 28K... Fixed under warranty.
4. Front Brake Rotors: 28K... Warped, were turned. Fixed under warranty.
5. Inside door ajar lamp and courtesy lights: 48K... Would not extinguish. Fixed by me.
6. Front DRIVING lights 42K... Installed RALLYE Driving lights. .
7. K&N Airfilter: 42K... Installed K&N oem replacement panel filter .
8. Front Brake Rotors: 45K... Warped, Replaced Rotors.
9. Front Brake Pads: 48K... Installed CARBOTECH PANTHER Carbon/Ceramic/ pads for Road Atlanta.
10. K&N Cone Filter/Open Air Box Installed K&N 0940 Filter, removed the air box for airflow.
11. Brake Pads: 48K... Rear, replaced with FORD OEM pads.
12. Front Brake Rotors: 52K... Warped, Scored by CARBO TECH pads at R/A replaced rotors
13. Front Brake Pads: 52K... Replaced CARBOTECH PANTHER (WORN) pads from Road Atlanta .
14. Installed the 26mm Rear Sway Bar: 61K.
15. Installed new MICHELIN brand PILOT XGT tires.: 77K (also had a front end alignment which only changed the settings in the rear. At this time I replaced OEM front pads with PERFORMANCE FRICTION pads and replaced brake rotors on the front with a recently turned used set of rotors.)
11 AUGUST 2000: My car has performed very well. I have really had very few problems with it out of the normal front rotors that seem to warp on a regualr schedule in the SHO. I seem to be developing a gremlin in the electrical system, as when it rains and the car gets too wet underneath the hood, the transmission shifts unpredictably. I will obtain some silicone spray and douse the underhood area to resolve this issue soon. I think a set of subframe bushings (est cost 27$ parts) may get rid of an ugly creaking noise that has developed over the miles up front, and suspect lower ball joint replacement is in the near future.. This is a TAURUS wide issue, and not SHO only. The STAR TREK cup holder which disappears into the console is coming apart and will require replacement, cost 45$ parts, and 15 minutes of time.. a definate do it yourself job.
21 APRIL 2002: It has now been 122,000 miles, and they have all been good miles. Other than routine maintanance on the car, a few brake changes, a radiator flush and a transmission flush and filter change along the way; this car has performed wonderfully. I love the way it feels and drives as much now, as the day I first bought it. Unfortunately, FORD MOTOR COMPANY has not seen fit to create or market a car to take the place of the SHO, which was discontinued in 1999. I will keep this one, and drive the wheels off of it. I figure I can go at a minimum, 250,000 miles with it. After that... I suspect I will be buying a product from another manufacturer. At least FORD got it right, one time, with THIS one.
The 26MM Swaybar Upgrade
Installing Driving Lights
Changing the Spark Plugs
The Ignition Coil
Other SHO Links
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people have visited here since 15 Sept 1999
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