1998 FORD EXPLORER Suspensionfront Problems

DT: CONTACT STATED THAT RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE HAD REPLACE THE BRAKES, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED , THE ANTI LOCK SENSORS WHERE REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED . THE AIR BAGS ARE ALSO DEPLOYED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT VIBRATES ON THE LEFT SIDE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEY PUT THE VEHICLE ON A RACK TRYING TO LINE THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT LINE UP. THEY FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS BAD, ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE FRAME IS BENT BEYOND REPAIR. *NM

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK PIN. HE STATES THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THEY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT AND THEN PULL TO THE RIGHT REAL BADLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE. THEY REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINK PIN TWICE. THIS STARTED ON AUGUST 4, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON AUGUST 8, 2005 . THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED LESS THAN 20 DAYS LATER. *AK

VEHICLE LOCKED UP AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR OF DRIVING. CONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT IT WILL COST CONSUMER $100.00 JUST FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT WAS AFRAID THAT HE WILL.*AK

FRONT END FELT LOOSE AND VEHICLE WAS VEERING TO THE RIGHT DUE TO CRACKED BALL JOINTS. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED, AND A RED BROWN LIQUID WAS LEAKING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE BECAUSE POWER STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED TIMING GEAR, AND UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS.*AK

ON GOING SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW PARTS WOULD ELIMINATE THE NOISE, BUT IT HAS NOT.*JB

TOOK EXPLORER IN TO LOCAL FORD DEALER TO HAVE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES REPLACED PLUS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. DEALER SAID THAT ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL BOTH FRONT TIE-ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. SAID THAT TIE-RODS WERE GOOD ENOUGH FOR YEARLY AUTO INSPECTION BUT NOT FOR LONG. I HAD THEM REPLACED BUT THOUGHT THAT REPLACEMENT AT 30,000 MILES WAS A LITTLE PREMATURE. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR COMPLAINT DATABASE, I NOTICED THAT OTHERS HAD REPORTED TIE-ROD AND BALL JOINT FAILURES ON THE '98 EXPLORER'S SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD SEND MINE IN ALSO EVEN THOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND IT MAY NOT ACTUALLY BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEFECT. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN "OFF-THE-ROAD" EITHER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE AN ALIGMENT COULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70-80 MPH VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. CONSUMER HAD REPLACED FOUR SETS OF TIRES, AND HAD AN ALIGMENT DONE ON VEHICLE. BUT, VIBRATION STILL CONTINUED. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING VIBRATION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

CAR DRIVING40 MPH ON STRAIGHT, WET, CEMENT TERRAIN, DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. DRIVER ATTENTIVE WITH HANDS AT 10 & 2 POSITION BEGINNING TO ACCLERATE. BACK WHEELS OF VEHICLE BEGIN TO SHIMMY, SHAKE. FRONT OF VEHICLE BEGINS TO VEER LEFT. DRIVER STEERS CAR AWAY FROM CEMENT EMBANKMENT, LEFT TIRE GOES SLIGHTLY UP EMBANKMENT, NO COLLISION. CAR STRAIGHTEND OUT, DRIVER BEGINS TO ACCLERATE AGAIN CAR VEERS SHARP RIGHT HITS EMBANKMENT HEAD ON, VEHICLE DOES COMPLETE ROLLOVER. TIE ROD COMPLETELY SEVERED. BOTH TIMES CAR VEERED DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT CAR, BUT UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE.*AK

WHEN BACK OUT THERE IS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT TIRE. *AK

AFTER BEING CUT OFF ON I-287, THE EXPLORER WENT INTO A SERIES OF SWERVES WHICH BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. IT FINALLY FLIPPED OVER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND SKIDDED ALONG THE ROADWAY ON ITS SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIB AND A COLLAPSED LUNG. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND CLEAN. THE TIRES WERE NEW MICHELINS. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT OF CONTROL AND FLIPPED.*AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE HITS A BUMP IT WOULD JERK EITHER TO RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP OUT OF DRIVER'S HAND. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER IT WAS FRONT END SUSPENSION. *AK

TRUNK DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO SLIDE HIS HAND IN WHILE DOOR IS SHUT. *AK CONSUMER CONTACTED DMV AND FOUND OUT VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAD NOT BEEN DAMAGED, HOWEVER DEALER SOLD IT TO HIM ANYWAY, CONSUMER FEELS DECEIVED AND IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. RADIO IS INOPERATIVE AT TIMES. HATCH RUBS AGAINS FRAME OF VEHICLE. TAILLIGHT AND HEADLIGHT ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, FOG LIGHTS HAD LAMP FAILURE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS WITH ABSORBING ROAD SHOCK, VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOW POWER. REAR POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. POWER ANTENNA FAILED. RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER INTERIOR GARNISH MOLDING LOOSE, REAR WIPER BLADE SKIPS CENTER OF GLASS, DEALER REPLACED REAR WIPER ARM AND BLADE ASSEMBLY. STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO NOISY. BUMPER NOT EVEN. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER VEHICLE HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE IN ROAD WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

THERE WAS SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AS IF SHOCKS WERE GOING BAD IN VEHICLE. IN MARCH, DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. ON MAY 11, 2001- AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FOLLOWING COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS, RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD , AND ALIGNMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE IN THE ROAD AND VEHICLE WENT OFF TO SIDE ROAD, AND FLIPED THREE TIMES. POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM MAY BE LINKED TO TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ENGINE STARTING FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO BE LEFT TWO TIMES, EACH TIME IT STUMBLED AND WHEN IT DID START MY WIFE PUT IT INTO DRIVE AT WHICH TIME IT ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC AND CUT OFF AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS, THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO COULD FIND NO BAD CODES AND HAD NO IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED. I FOUND A TSB CONCERNING IT ON YOUR WEBSITE SO NOW I KNOW OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNING THE SQUEELING COMING FROM THE FRONT END AT SPEEDS FROM 0-40, I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SPRAYED SOME LUBRICANT ON IT BUT THE NOISE RETURNED, I AM AFRAID THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO FAIL IN THE FRONT END AND AGAIN. I FOUND A TSB CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR SITE, SO I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM. THE OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED WHEN THE SQUEAL PROBLEM...

15" WHEEL TOO SMALL FOR VEHICLE, SUSPENSION NOT AS STABLE AS A 2000 YEAR MODEL, REAR WIPER FAILED 2 TIMES (ALSO FAILED IN 2000 MODEL,) TURN SIGNAL CANCELS TOO QUICKLY/EASILY REPLACED 2 TIMES STILL LOUSY, (DOT NUMBER: NOT APPLIC TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)

EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TILTING TOO FAR WHEN MAKING A TURN AT 20 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND, AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAI ON THIS MATTERS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT HAS A LOT OF CREAKING AND KNOCKING NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF EXPLORER, YOU CAN FEEL THE KNOCKING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING BROKEN.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION AND SLIGHT DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AROUND 65 MPH. ROTATED TIRES EVERY 5000 MILES, HOWEVER INSIDE OF FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCE SEVERE CUPPING. AT 35000 MILE SERVICE, BROUGHT TO BANKSTON FORD (FRISCO TX) FOR MAINTENANCE. TIRES ROTATED, BUT NOTHING NOTED ON SERVICE REPORT ABOUT SEVERE CUPPING ON INSIDE OF TIRES BY BANKSTON. GREW FRUSTRATED WITH LACK OF SERVICE AND DISREGARD FOR SAFETY, TOOK TO GOODYEAR DEALER. TIRES WERE WORN TO THE 2ND LAYER AND NEAR FAILURE, AND SHOWN TO ME BY TECH. REPLACE WITH GOODYEARS & HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED, NEEDED SLIGHT TOE IN ADJUSTMENT. VEHICLE STILL VIBRATES AT 65 MPH, ALREADY SEEING CUPPING WEAR PATTERN ON INSIDE OF BRAND NEW GOODYEARS WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES!. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

SIDEWALL FAILURE/PARTIAL SEPARATION - R&R KIT NECESSARY TO BRING VEHICLE INTO ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS( DOT NUMBER: W2UU TIRE SIZE: P226/70R15 )

SIDEWALL FAILURE/PARTIAL SEPARATION - R&R KIT NECESSARY TO BRING VEHICLE INTO ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS( DOT NUMBER: W2UU TIRE SIZE: P226/70R15 )

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING. CONSUMER HAD REPLACED TIRES TO CORRECT VIBRATION, BUT STILL THERE WAS VIBRATION. SHOCK ASORBER HAD BEEN REPLACED AND VIBRATION CONTINUED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT COULD BE A VEHICLE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS WENT THROUGH 4 SETS OF TIRES WHICH START CUPPPING AFTER 15000 MILES, THE TIRESARE BALANCED AND ROTATED EVERY 5000 MILES. A NEW SHOCK WAS PUT ON WHICH HELPED VIBRATION SOME BUT NOT COMPLETELY. THE PINION BEARING REAR AXLE WENT OUT AT 36000 MILES. *SLC

TIRES SHOW STRESS CRACK WHERE THE BELT IS ATTACHED TO CASSION, TIRE HAVE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AT 45 MPH TO 70 MPH, I HAVE REMOVED ALL 5 TIRES FROM VEHICLE AND REPLACED THEM WITH MICHLEN TIRES, SINCE I LIVE IN GA, THE VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR OUR AREA WAS NOT SCHEDULE TILL OCTOBER, SO IN THE NAME OF SAFEY I RELPLACE THEM WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM FIRESTONE.THE DOT NUMBER INDICATES THESE TIRE WERE NOT FROM FIRESTONE'S DECATUR IL PLANT, BUT I HAVE 5 TIRES(DOT W2HL 128) THAT HAVE A PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL128 TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )

TRUCK STARTED DEVELOPING CONTROL PROBLEMS, FISHTAILING AND VIBRATING. NOTICED THAT TIRE TREADS WERE SEPARATING. TOOK TO FIRESTONE DEALER AND REPLACED ALL 4. 2 OF THEM WERE BULGING AND SEPARATING A GREAT DEAL, THE OTHER 2 WERE STARTING TO DEVELOP MINOR BULGES. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE STOPPED BEFORE WE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER STATED THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

TIRE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF UNUSUAL TREAD WEAR. TIRE ROTATION OCCURRED AT 35000 MILES AND ALIGNMENT WAS CHECKED. TIRE IS WEARING TOWARDS THE INSIDE AND ANOTHER TIRE IS SHOWNING SIMILAR SIGNS OF WEAR. THE TIRE IS CREATING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: E27477 TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS BEGAN AFTER A HEAVY LOAD WAS IN THE VEHICLE.(400-500 LBS) THE FRONT END RODE 1 FOOT ABOVE THE REAR END.SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HANDELED QUITE DIFFERENTLY,AND HAS CONSTANT LOUD SQUEAKS AND GRINDS. THE BUSHINGS RECENTLY WERE REMOVED AND GREASED,UNDER CARRIAGE ARMS IN FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE OK,WHY DID THIS START AT 6000 MILES? HESITATION DURING HARD ACCELERATION,ALWAYS FROM STOP,CROSSING INTERSECTION.EXTENSIVE THROTTLE BODY,HOUSING REPAIR WORK NECCESSARY,RECALLS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.TWO FRIENDS WITH 98 EXPLORERS HAVE HAD EXACT PROBLEMS WITH LOAD CARRYING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.HESITATION PROBLEMS AS WELLAVE HAD ECACT PROBLEMS NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM ER CARRIAGE

I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN SEPT 1998. IN AUG 1999 I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE DRIVERS MIRROR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH AND UP. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COME OFF AT ABOUT 65 MPH. I HAVE EVERYTHING DOCUMENTED AND HAVE BEEN IN NOW 7 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY CHANGED THE MIRROR, THE 2ND THE BALANCED/ROTATED THE TIRES, THE 3 TIME THEY HAD ME BUY NEW TIRES, THE 4TH THE PUT ANOTHER SET OF NEW TIRES ON, THE 5TH I HAD THE SERVICE MGR AND HEAD MECHANIC DRIVE IT AGAIN THE TIRES WERE BALANCED/ROTATED, THE 6TH TIME THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT. THEN A FACTORY REP FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAME DOWN FROM DETROIT AND CALLED ME ON THE PHONE. WITH EACH TIME I HAD IT IN I WAS TOLD IT IS "NORMAL" FOR...

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40 MPH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE START VIBRATING ALSO THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR WHERE THE CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE OTHER VEHICLE.

ALSO EXPERIENCING RIGHT FLOOD LIGHT FAILURE. THIS IS THE 3RD BULB REPLACEMENT. I, THE CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE SOME RESOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE COST TOO MUCH TO EXPERIENCE THESE MANY PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: 274 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

VEHICLE WOULD LOCK INTO AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE RAPIDLY ON DRY, SMOOTH PAVEMENT FOR NO REASON ,CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH AND LAG ( JERKING ) AND CAUSING FRONT LEFT WHEEL HOP AND VIBRATION. DEALERSHIP HAS REMOVED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAPABILTY OF THIS VEHICLE TO RESLOVE THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF REPAIRING. THE ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXPLORER IS NOW ONLY 2 WHEEL DRIVE. INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH NOW CONTINUOUSLY FLASH PROVIDING SOMEWHAT OF A DRIVERS DISTRACTION. ALSO VEHICLE HAS A LOUD SQUEAL IN FRONT END AT SPEEDS FROM 1 THRU 40 MPH WHICH ONE FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE. ALSO VEHICLE ENGINE HAS LOUD MECHANICAL ENGINE NOISE ( KNOCKING AND BANGING ) IN UPPER ENGINE AREA. *AK

LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION BOLT MISSING / FELL OFF, CAUSING SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE, DAMAGING THE SPINDLE / BRAKE HOSE / WHEEL SENSOR, THE WHEEL RIM AND TIRE.

VERY LOUD, INTERMITTENT, SQUEALING FROM FRONT END. DEALER FIRST STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE DUST SEALS/BOOTS, BUT ACCORDING TO OTHER SHOP, THERE AREN'T ANY. NEXT THEY SAID IT WAS THE FRONT BRAKES: THEY ONLY HAD 5K MILES OF USE LEFT, AND THE ROTORS WERE TOO WORN. I HAD NEW ROTORS AND PADS INSTALLED, BUT THE SQUEAL IS STILL THERE. IT OCCURS WITH BRAKES APPLIED OR NOT, WITH ENGINE ON OR OFF(JUST ROLLING DOWN A HILL), BUT ONLY WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING. DOES NOT CHANGE WHEN TURNING. REFERENCE OTHER ODI IDS: 700845, 702219, 702959, 703052, 703270, 703848, 704071, 829016, 834307, 834481. *AK

SERIOUS POWER STEERING LEAKAGE. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, AND TOLD IT'S BEEN REPAIRED - STILL UNRESOLVED. ALSO CONTINUAL SQUEAKING IN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. DEALER STATES CANNOT REPAIR. *AK

A SQUEELING TYPE GRIND IN LEFT FRONT END OCCURS DAILY WHEN VEHICLE DRIVEN, INDEPENDANT OF SPEED VARIATION, SOUND CAN BE HEARD THROUGH CLOSED WINDOWS; DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM REPAIR AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS, ENGINEERING AT FORD UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE SO FAR,NOISE IS PIERCING TO DRIVER AND SURROUNDING AREA DRIVEN.

THE FRONT END MAKES NOISE & VIBRATIONS CONTINUOUSLY. THE WHEELS & STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHAKE. VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED. HAD SPRINGS CHANGED. THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 8 TIMES. VEHICLE'S ALIGNMENT IS FAULTY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WIDE LEFT CURVE AND RIGHT SIDE TIRE WENT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RIGHT REAR TIRE SKIDDED OUT, TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND TRIED T CORRECT THE FISHTAIL, HAD A ROLLOVER. STARTED AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK