Well, I posted in here a few months ago and got some good ideas about what may be wrong with my 03 4wd Explorer. I think I actually might have had two problems, one of which is now fixed.

When I turn in my Explorer from a dead stop, either left or right, there is a vibration that seems like it is in the steering or front wheels. It seemed to get worse over time and I ended up replacing my bearing assemblies which were in fact bad. It may be possible that they went bad because the problem I can't identify messed them up, I don't know.

What I do know is that the longer I drive the car on a trip, the worse the vibration becomes. After 50 miles or so when things are good and heated up, it's really noticeable when you turn at a stop light or in a parking lot or something.

I have new tires, it's in alignment, the tie rod ends and ball joints are tight, and like I said, I've got new bearing assemblies. I looked over everything real good when I had it apart. Power Steering fluid is full too. The transmission fluid has been recently changed, and I did my front and rear diff fluids and transfer case at 100K (I'm at 115K now).

Wow, any help would be appreciated guys. I'm at the end of my rope with this one...

Thanks,

Matt

 

assuming this only happens when turning, it is bad traction lock clutches in the rear diff.

 

I did NOT add friction modifier when I changed the diff fluids. Think it will fix my problem?

 

first make sure you have limited slip by reading the tag. the gear ratio numbe will be separated with an "L" such as 3L73. If so trying modifier is worth a try but may not fix it. this style explorer has a lot of problems with this.see TSB 06-04-04

 

added the 7 ounces of FM from AutoZone, and miraculously, the problem is solved.

My question now is different -- do you think that driving this way damaged the clutch packs?

Thanks,
Matt

 

Probably not. What the FM does is allows slip. The vibration you were feeling were the clutch packs resisting the differential in tire speed... and acted more like you had a detroit locker. I have an 05 F150 that had some problems with this and Ford's fix was to redesign the clutch packs with larger tolerances... so they allowed more slip.

 

Did you add the fluid to the existing or did you drain some of it? Mine does the samething and it a 04limited awd.

 

I have a 98 F150 4x4 that has the bad vibration when turning only when i am excelerating. it never does it when going straight or if i have my foot off the gas . matter of fact in a turn the vibration will stop as soon as I let off the gas. any ideas ?
Hunter