Hey guys we have a 2002 Ford Explorer with a couple of problems. The main problem is when your going down the road you hear a loud roaring sound coming from the rear end. It has gotten worse over the past couple of week, but has always been a problem. We replaced the rear end a year or so ago for another problem and it fixed that problem but didn't even bother the roaring noise. After looking at the rear tires, to me it looks like they are leaning in a little and i was wondering if the rear had ball joints that was wore out and the tire were running uneven if that could be the problem? Figured i would ask the experts on here before i took it to the ford place. If that would infact the problem, is there any site i can go to to see how to do it and what kind of tools will i need?

Second the defrost doesn't work. When you turn it on, it only blows out the vents as normal and none to the windshield. Everything else is fine..


Third, when you turn on rear air it makes a ticking noise. We replaced this part before, though i forgot the name of it unless i go back through my books lol. Anyway right after this happened the first time, the front air went totally out and the compressor blew. Is it likely that will happen this time to? Hopefully it was just a freak deal, but thought you guys would know.

Thanks alot guys, we love our explorer, but it does have a lot of problems LOL luckly myself and my dad can pretty much fix anything if we have the right tools and instructions and you guys helping!

 

the 2002 has independant rear suspension.. not a standard axle, there is a wheel hub/ bearing at each corner. I would guess one of hte wheel bearings is bad. Tires do have a slight tilt to them, thats o.k. Jack up the back an inch or two and wiggle the tire or try to rotate, see if you can hear one "grind" more than the other. I had one go out at about 80k miles and a front go out at 90k miles. Other two have 130k and o.k.
----vacuum hose from the motor to the dash controller allows you to stroke 3-4 different doors inside the air duct to direct air to dash, floor, or defrost. If you can get some locations, then maybe one of the doors is bad.. if you can get nothing but panel, then i would guess the controller on dash is bad and leaking internally-- rebuild with new o-rings.
---i dont see how a ticking noise in the rear air would cause the compressor to blow out.

 

look at the drawing on how the air duct is constructed... and maybe how the controller is rebuilt...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-please-2.html

 

the rear bearing / hub has to be pressed apart and reassembled on a 20 ton press. you can do at home, or have that part done at a shop.


How to Replace a Ford Explorer Rear Hub Bearing - wikiHow

 

Haven't had time to check on it yet, but man you guys rock! Always nice on here and fast with a responce and treat people that is asking the question like they have a brain and not like some moron jsut because he isn't a certified tech. Thanks Going to try to check on all that ASAP!

While i have this thread open, people told us if we replace the spark plugs on it, then we might have to redo the threads. Its a 4.6L and it has 125K on it and they have never been changed and we are scared to change them because of the rumor we heard. Any truth to it?

Thanks again for all the help