[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 13-Aug-01 AT 07:46 PM (EST)[/font][p]I hope someone can shed light on my situation. I recently (Wednesday, the 8th) traded my '97 5.4L Expy for a '00 4.0L SOHC Explorer Auto FWD, it's a returned lease with just over 24,000 miles, therefore I don't know the service record. At speeds above 70 MPH, I get a vibration that makes my rear view mirror basically useless. It doesn't happen at speeds below that and I've had it well above 70 to see if it faded with increased speed and it doesn't(it doesn't get worse either). I've had the dealer balance my tires and that doens't help. I asked them to get it above 70 to see for themselves and they backed away for fear of getting a ticket, they're also leary about putting it on the lift and getting it up to that speed because it doesn't mimic real-life road conditions (I agree with them on that one). The frequency of the vibration is very high (with a low rumble noise). Also, when turing sharp corners at low speed, I hit the bump stop and the front end makes a light clunk. I have no idea if it has any connection with the vibration, I haven't had the chance to get underneath (it's been raining all weekend). Other than those problems, the truck is great, I'll take getting 19mpg over 11mpg any day!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated, it goes in the shop on Tuesday the 21st to see what they can find.

I was reading through the other posts and found the Ford Customer Service Number (800-392-FORD). They were very heplful in searching for additional TSB's on my vehicle. One that stood out was a bulletin on the electronic clutch for the transfer case, it could engage and disengage very quickly under light to moderate acceleration, Ford sent this info to my dealer for when she goes in the shop. Hope it does the trick.

 

I have a similar problem on my '91 explorer 4door 4x4. around 63 - 67 there is a vibration in the front end. So far i had a front end alignment, and all tires rebalanced. hasn't helped yet. Next im going to have new rotors put on the front (in ur case id recomend them being recut since u have a newer truck) and also check the front bearings. if that doesn't help, a long shot could be replacing the shock absorbers. hope this helps.

 

I jumped on the NHTSA website and found two issues that might be the problem. One is item number 13725 for 1999-2000 Explorer/Mountaineer 4x4's only. It basically says that vibrations at highway speeds might be caused by the electronic clutch system. The other is item number 14102 for 1999-2000 Explorer/Mountaineer which puts the blame on an imbalance of the one of the driveline components. Two of the fixes for 14102 is either a new axle or transfer case. My dealer faxed me this info this morning along with the repair on my truck that happened prior to the truck coming out of lease. The dealer in Chicago turned the front rotors due to them being out of round (that's what it said, not warped, but out of round) this repair was done on 13 Nov, 00, and the previuos owner traded it in not long after that. I'll see what happens on Tuesday. hopefully they can fix it. So far the dealer has been extremely accomodating.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Aug-01 AT 07:57 AM (EST)[/font][p]Picked it up from the dealer last night. The timing chain tensioners were replaced and the lower intake manifold gasket was replaced. The vibration was felt on the test drive and they want to replace the Firestone tires before they start to replace anything else. I'll keep updating as time goes on.

 

 

I'm having vibration in my drivetrain at speed too. This is what I have done, two new sets of tires, and a front end alignment, tires balanced. Now with my last set of tire the vibration is better, but not gone. I'm using Yokohoma tires. The suspension is just way to harsh. I'm thinking of going to a medium duty shock. My explorer is a V8 AWD, mileage is awefull.

 

I had a terrible vibration problem with my '93 sport. Changed everything, tires, shocks, rotors, wheel bearings, you name it. The problem was the AXELS! I replaced both of them and checked them before replacement both were BENT. I ordered in two axels from the local dealer, they came in BENT. Ordered in another set
and they were staight. A very easy thing for the do it yourselfer mechanic or the dealer to check or/and replace. Only took me two (2) hours to complete the whole tear down and replacement. Worst part was putting in the gear oil. They do not make it easy for you. Of course that was on the '93. I have no idea where they are making the axels, but give it a try.

A lot cheaper than replacing the whole suspension as was suggested by the dealer at my expense.

 

Update:

The dealer found the problem after I brought it back for the forth time and told them if they couldn't find it, I didn't want it back.
At speed, the voltage for the transfer case electronic clutch got a little high and the clutches started to chatter, causing the vibration. They adjusted it and I took it to Maine a day later for a business trip with just a hint of vibration around 76. On the way home, it was like someone flipped a switch, the vibration was back as it was before right at 70.
AND...the timing chain tensioners are starting to make noise again.
As of this writing, I have a loaner '01 V8 model in the parking lot. 95 mph and not a flutter. I have to call the dealer tonight to let them know that I want a V8 or another V6. I'll deal with crappy gas mileage for a smooth ride.

Just a note. The dealer has been great with all of the problems that this truck has. Why it took four times to find the vibration was that four different techs worked on it, one each time. They've gone out of their way to make me happy and get me out of my truck. I would recommend Lamoureux Ford in East Brookfield, Massachusetts (www.lamford.com) to anyone.