I never heard this
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: AZ
I never heard this
Since I have been looking for a 02' - 04' Explorer 4wd with 4.0 engine, I thought I would ask if anyone had heard of this or had this problem; A dealer told me today that many of the 4wd Explorers 2002 and newer have differential problems. He said he trys to only stock the 2wd models because of this problem. He said the 2001 and all earlier models were pretty much problem free on 4wd. I agreed with him there.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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i would not say "many" or "most", but starting in 2002 he truck came with independant rear susperions, a new type axle. What you have is the center pumpkin is mounted solid to the truck body, and a stup axle on each side is mounted with universal joints to each rear wheel. The design gives a very nicc, smooth ride. Since the gearbox is solid mounted to the body (but has rubber mounts) you tend to get a harmonic balance noise echo in the drive train into the truck at about 60 MPH. I have used synthetic oil and friction modifier in the rear end to dampen out the noise and dont have a real problem at 120k miles. Some have more complaints than i do. Many blame the bearings, have them changed out, then still have the noise..??? What i would do is test drive the truck at 60 MPH with the radio off. If The noise is not there or does not bother you, then its o.k. to buy. I plan on keeping this truck for another 50K miles.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
The late T-Birds and Mark VIIIs all have this type of differential as do the latest model Mustang Cobras. We have had 4 Mark VIIIs, a Cobra, and a 05 Mountaineer in the family with no diff. problems at all.
Don't worry, be happy.
Don't worry, be happy.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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My '98 pooped it's diff bearings at 50k, & I've heard of plenty other earlier Exploders doing the same thing, so the "problem free" comment is bs.
Once they are fixed (thank you ESP) they are fine.
Many never have an issue.
But a lot do.
Once they are fixed (thank you ESP) they are fine.
Many never have an issue.
But a lot do.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: AZ
My 2002 Explorer 4wd 4door E. B., does have the road noise in the back, but after sitting in the back over the axle and getting the car off the ground and listening to it, the noise is not coming from the differential, it is coming from the ends of axle near wheels, more on right side than left; it is kind of a muffled air noise. So maybe it is bearings or maybe it is just the set up of rear suspension. It has synthetic fluid in it, 132K miles. This is only noise car makes, everything else is real quite and smooth. One day I guess I will run it by my mechanics shop to see what they think.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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After a long drive, check the rear axle bearing areas for heat. One side much warmer than the other? Bearing time coming. One side hot? Bearing time now. Beware brake heat, so if you've just come down a mountain, this "test" isn't going to work very well.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: AZ
10-4 on that; thanks for the tip 85e150six4mtod, I will be driving it on road tomorrow 70 miles one way, some mountains part of way here in east central Arizona. Wheels are snug, no play in them but they have to be getting closer to replacement. I will check to see if they are heating up.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
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From: AZ
Not much heat at all on the rear axles, just warm like the front ones felt. The noise is not real loud yet but I know it will get worse; will probably go ahead and replace the bearings within a month or so.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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couple of you guys need to figure out what your talking about... the 2002 and later has independant rear suspension. the pumpking and differential gears are mounted with rubber mounts to the body and frame. The wheel bearings are a sealed unit mounted to the A-frame or outboard area of the truck. There is a short axle shaft with CV joints between. You can have a gear whine or hum from the differential that is normall and last 100k miles. You can have an outboard bearing go bad and make noise, and it will need changed within 5k miles. It will keep getting louder. THis has nothing to do with a pre 2002 exp. The early axles are straight, just like the old 1990- 80 type truck axles.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: AZ
Had both rear wheel bearings replaced (outer ones in hub), the noise is completely gone, the right bearing had play in it and both were getting in bad shape, differential is in good shape. Didn't realize how quiet the ride is in these later generation explorer's. Another piece of info I found out is that starting in 2002 the 4.0 V6 engine OHC went to one main timing chain running off crankshaft, so that ended the problem of the jackshaft, camshaft tensioner's and on back of motor. Ford did this on all 4wd 2002 and later models, but used the older OHC engine on all 2 wheel drive cars til 2004, then all the models, got the updated version. The old realiable OHV engine was done after 2000 model Explorer. The updated OHC engine with the simple timing chain should be very reliable for the long haul.
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