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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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Messages Page 315 of 640

#3133 of 6385 Ball Joint Replacement by jrc346

Dec 01, 2004 (10:02 pm)

Wife has a 2000 Explorer with 78,000miles on it now. A year and a half ago the lower ball joints needed replacement (no front end alignment needed) and cost me $200 (Warranty Gold picked up the other $200). About 6 months ago the upper ball joints started groaning but there was no play in either. I drilled a hole into the ball joints and filled them with synthetic brake caliper grease which stopped the groaning. Don't know if I would recommend this, but I do frequently check the ball joints to make sure that they still don't have any play.
 
I have been on these boards for around 4 years plus. I have seen many instances of sealed ball joint failure from the 1998-2001 model year Ford SUV's. My 1996 Explorer, which I sold at 92,000 miles, had the original ball joints, and my son's 1996 Thunderbird has 138,000 miles on it with all original sealed ball joints.
 
BTW, I am no expert on the matter, I am just pointing out a few observations:)

#3134 of 6385 Re: 2004 Explorer Trans Problems,Thought I was Alone!!! [candyo] by aretiredguy

Dec 02, 2004 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: candyo (Nov 19, 2004 11:48 am)
I had some hesitation in my, 2004 Explorer, transmission going into reverse and was looking for some answers, when I saw the story by CBS New York.
 http://cbsnewyork.com/investigates/local_story_324112924.html
 
Took the CBS article to dealer and he was aware of the problem. They did transmission diagnosis, found line pressure low due to solenoid failure.
They removed the transmission pan, replaced solenoid body(Part# 4L2Z-7G391-AA) and re-programed PCM.
 
Refilled transmission with MERCON R V auto transmission fluid.
ALL WARRANTY WORK.
 
So far so good, haven't had any more shift problems.
Good Luck to all 2004 owners.

#3135 of 6385 2002 Transmission by 02explr

Dec 02, 2004 (11:52 pm)

I have an 02 Limited with 28,000 mi. I have always thought the tranny was a bit weird, but thought perhaps I was paranoid. On my '91, I got a rebuilt tranny after 161,000 mi, that only lasted 6 months, so I figured I might be a bit touchy on trannies. Anyway, I took the car for routine maintenance, deciding to include the transmission service called for at 30K. I also asked them to check the transmission because I have always felt it shifted a bit weird at times. When I picked it up, they had done the service, but found no problem. The very next day, the alarm sounded (like the low fuel alarm) and the computer displayed, CHECK TRANSMISSION, and the Overdrive/off light was flashing. I went directly back to the dealer. They kept the car, saying that there was a code for those lights, relating to the torque converter. After a few days, said they were talking to Ford, and thought they would be putting in a new tranny. I was alarmed at this, but was assured it would be a NEW, FORD, FACTORY Trans. I had my husband call the next day, and he was told the same thing NEW FORD FACTORY transmission. We were not given an explanation as to the problem. Of course, when I picked the car up, the ticket indicated a REMANufactured transmission, and the service guy said, yes it was remanufactured by Ford, and denied he had ever told us it was new. Needless to say, I was livid about this. Anybody have a similar experience with an O2, and/or an opinion on if it is typical to get a REMAN as opposed to new trans? Did I just have a liar and/or a dumb service counter guy that didn't know what he was talking about? I asked the service manager to call me, but he has not done so. I think I should be entitled to an explanation about the original problem, and also a refund of the 30K service I paid for. Does anyone know if I buy an extended warranty now, will the REMAN transmission be covered? Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks for reading a long post.

#3136 of 6385 RE:2002 Transmission by bioman

Dec 03, 2004 (5:12 am)

A remanufactured transmission is very close to being a new transmission. All of the internal parts of a remanufactured transmission are new. The only used portion of the transmission is the outer case. A rebuilt transmission has had only the parts that have failed replaced. That is why you pay more for a remanufactured transmission. An automobile manufacturer will replace defective transmissions with remanufactured transmissions as a usual practice depending upon the age of the vehicle. Why you were told otherwise is tribute to the ignorance of the folks at the Ford Dealership. They should have explained what a remanufactured transmission was. Had that been done, your reaction might have been different. As far as the extended warranty is concerned, call and get information directly from the people who administer the extended warranty. Depending upon the extended warranty that you have you may be walking through a minefield of exclusions or the warranty may truly cover everything.

#3137 of 6385 2002 Transmission (02explr) by electricdesign

Dec 03, 2004 (5:15 am)

Sounds like your original "new" transmission wasn't very good, being that it only lasted 28,000 mi. The REMAN may be better than your original tranny. As long as it is warrantied the same, it should not matter. About your paranoya, yes, a tranny should last a long time, At LEAST 150,000 miles at the very minumum, 200,000 would be a satisfactory average life span, if it is well taken care of. I also had a 91 explr and a 93 explr, trannys were bad in both of those, they were called LIGHT DUTY trannys, (A4LD, Automatic, 4 Speed, Light Duty)and they were designed weak, they often would fail after rebuilds unless you had a really sharp rebuilder, you needed a good REMAN where everything inside the case was replaced with new. When those trannys worn out, there was nothing left any good but maybe the case. I like my 97 explr with the 5.0 L V8, with 130,000 miles, it has a very strong transmission behind it, a 4R70W, and I expect it to last past 200,000 miles.
Good Luck,
E.D.

#3138 of 6385 Re: Ball Joint Replacement by jrc346 by idntnvu

Dec 03, 2004 (7:01 pm)

I'm going through the ball joint replacement ordeal myself at this very moment. Over a week ago, I took my '99 in for an alignment, and they found the bad lower ball joints. They recommended replacing both upper and lower joints at the same time. I'm still waiting on Costguard to make a decision on whether they are going to cover it or not. My lower joints were 197 thousandths on the left and 154 on the right. The mechanic who has been working on it every time I take it in was really smart with me the other day, so if I find out that Costguard won't cover it, I'm taking it elsewhere. The guy acted like I was stupid for wasting my time to see if the warranty I bought to cover this exact sort of thing, a warranty that cost me a thousand bucks, would cover the repair. He acted as if I should just shell out the $600 they want and get it done, because "well hell all it's gonna do is continue to wear your tires out" and some other mouth full of stuff. I've been using this garage for a long time, as has the rest of my family, but the buck is gonna stop here. I won't be talked to like a moron by some guy who's only been working for this place 8 months. If Costguard covers the repair, I have a $50 deductible to satisfy, but if this guy talks to me like that again, I'll just take it to the dealer that screwed me before and not have to pay the deductible, that'll suit me fine. Sorry for venting, but this whole episode has got me in a knot. I've been purposefully hitting speed bumps, potholes, etc in hopes the thing will break and then Costguard will actually cover it.
 
What was the mileage on your wife's explorer when she had the lower joints replaced jrc346? Mine has 49,600 on it.

#3139 of 6385 2002 alarm question RED LIGHT by ceads

Dec 03, 2004 (11:18 pm)

I have a Limited .Ive noticed that SOME Explorers have a red light that lights up in the middle of the dash,when the car is locked ,but mine does not .I went to a car lot today and only 1 of 5 had the red on, What is the deal ,ant input would be great, Chris

#3140 of 6385 Re: 2002 Transmission [02explr] by wijoco

Dec 04, 2004 (6:17 pm)

Replying to: 02explr (Dec 02, 2004 11:52 pm)
Don't freak out. Sometimes people say "new" transmission or engine and mean "new" relative to what's in the vehicle. He just misspoke, but he wasn't being dishonest. That old story of a new transmission pulled off the assembly line is really just a myth. What you got from the dealer was as good or better than "new" It was built by a Ford authorized rebuilder using the latest corrected parts. All wear items will have been replaced and you get the benefit of the Ford 3/36 warranty on it, so it's as good as new.

#3141 of 6385 Re: idntnvu by jrc346

Dec 05, 2004 (2:30 pm)

Sorry about your frustrations idntnvu, I think my warranty cost about $365 bucks with a $100 dollar deductible. We live on a pretty rough dirt road in Michigan (a notorious state for poor roads) and I think we had to replace the Explorer's lower ball joints at 52,000mi. My wife has the philosophy that if she drives down the dirt road like a bat out of heck, that she is effectively "skipping" over the bumps. *Rolls Eyes*
However, the thing that brought my attention to the bad ball joints was not tire wear, but rather wandering, especially while driving on the highway. I recall getting out of the truck to check to make sure the lugs were all tightened properly while on our way up to northern Michigan. Our other 2000 Explorer that we leased had very tight steering, so I was concerned. I brought it to the dealer and they diagnosed what I had suspected. Truck drives so much better now, but like I mentioned the front end now clunks pretty badly. So, when I get a chance in a couple weeks while I am off of work, I will check out the stabilizer bar bushings and the upper ball joints to see if I can find the source of the noise.
To smooth out the ride I installed two Edelbrock shocks, in the front which I am very impressed with.
 
On another subject, the Explorer has the delayed reverse activation (a faulty solenoid no doubt) which I will probably get fixed the next time I take it in for a transmission fluid change.
 
Anyway, the delayed reverse and clucking aside, the Explorer has been a very good vehicle, without a doubt would purchase again.

#3142 of 6385 02 Explorer EB, 4x4, V8, 38k miles by mnnu

Dec 05, 2004 (9:48 pm)

That being the vehicle, would anyone think an extended service plan is worth it for 3 years/36k miles. Additional Cost = $1788
 
I added it on to the financing, but I have 30 days to reneg if I so choose. I'm wavering.
 
Advice please?

Messages Page 315 of 640

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