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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier
3348 messages, Last post on Oct 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM
You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, SUV
#1706 of 3348 Drive Shaft - look6phd by pulleydog
Dec 29, 2003 (7:44 pm)
Our '02 Mercury Mountaineer had to have the driveshaft replaced at close to 20K miles. Out of all the vehicles I have ever owned (and we're talking 16 vehicles and over 900K miles), I had never had a drive shaft problem until the MM last Fall. Of course, 2002 was the first year after a major re-design for the Explorer/Mountaineer sisters - although I don't know if the driveline was part of the redesign. I'd be surprised if that wasn't a common problem with these vehicles. We didn't have any other early signs of a problem, my wife was driving home one day and it started making a horrendous screeching noise - so bad she was afraid to drive it any further and had it towed."look6phd" - see if you can find a dealer willing to go to bat for you for an after warranty claim. Good luck!
#1707 of 3348 by nvbanker
Dec 31, 2003 (6:13 pm)
Hmmmm. No problems with mine at all. My 2002 has been trouble free, except for a water pump pulley squeaking. That's it, 30,000 miles so far.#1708 of 3348 Recent Explorers, Off Road by brianbm
Jan 04, 2004 (4:32 pm)
Just a post to inquire if I'm missing something ...I am sniffing out a replacement for a 1993 4x4 Explorer (160K) that has gone offroad steadily since purchase. I am very, very happy with the old girl; less space then I'd like, so the replacement will be bigger, but no catastrophic failures that got me stuck below the high tide mark, or elsewhere on the beach. (I surfcast, that's the off-road stuff for me.) I got to 130K before needing to spend significant money, on the front locking hubs, and that's fine. ALAS: when I look at the lower control arms on the Explorer and Expedition, I cringe. I can just see one of those arms snapping after one rock too many at Montauk Point, or some other beach decorated with protruding rocks. So, the question: What happens when you snap a control arm? Is the vehicle still drivable? My local Ford guy has a great service department (Ramp Ford, Long Island NY) but the only thing he sells that looks good right now is an F-150 (it's on the short list, but it's a lot more money and gas then I need to spend.) Are we agreed that the IFS-fitted versions are not really competent once you're off road?
#1709 of 3348 by brast69
Jan 05, 2004 (3:35 pm)
Well,I have a 03 MM Premier, before that a 98 MM. I am familiar with the "Outerbeach" I live on Long Island as well. In the summer I was on the outer beach... Smith Pt beach to as far as the inlet, "Great Gun". I drive fast and rough on the beach!! Never had a problem what-so-ever. I was on the beach EVERY weekend. I drove from the surfline up to the dunes,bouncing, airborn etc...I also went up to Rocky PT. and Middle Island and did some real off-roading. As far as the lower control arms...I cant say whether I hit a rock or not, But all is still just like the day I drove it from the showroom
#1710 of 3348 Yikes by brianbm
Jan 05, 2004 (6:06 pm)
You're a more aggressive driver on the beach then I am, I guess. Sand beaches would be o.k., and most of Smith Point is sand, but the rocks at the Inlet are going to whack those control arms good. If one breaks - and it'd be a catastrophic failure, not a degredation of function - can you still drive? .....need to get Ant14 in here.
#1711 of 3348 Tough driving beach by brianbm
Jan 05, 2004 (6:09 pm)
The one that worries me, in terms of mishap, is Montauk. Narrow beach, just barely enough to drive in places; steep slope into the water on some corners; snaggletoothed rocks are going to ding components no matter what you do. You snap a control arm there, you're going to really be praying for that flatbed truck. I don't know if one could get to you, depending on the tide.#1712 of 3348 Cost by twinturbotim
Jan 06, 2004 (4:29 pm)
Say with the 3k rebate right now, is it possible for someone (if they're extremely good) to bargain down so with rebates you could get a 36k explorer for 27?#1713 of 3348 twinturbotim by akangl
Jan 07, 2004 (6:30 pm)
I bought a 2004 Ford Explorer XLS Sport V-6 4X4 last night, MSRP was $30,655, Invoice was $28k, with the $3k rebate that put me at $25k + fees.Figure invoice on a $36k truck is going to be approx $33k or so, you might be able to hit $30k, but $27k, nah, I really doubt it.
#1714 of 3348 hmmm by steve_ HOST
Jan 08, 2004 (9:41 am)
Mountaineer ok, Explorer not?U-Haul rejects Explorers (USA Today)
Steve, Host
#1715 of 3348 My thoughts exactly........(quoted from USA Today article) by akangl
Jan 08, 2004 (10:09 am)
"It's a perfectly capable tow vehicle," said Stuart Bourdon, automotive editor of the California-based publication."The bottom line is, if you don't overload the vehicle and you've got the proper tires with the appropriate ratings and they are properly inflated and you drive with common sense, you really shouldn't have any problems."
I guess I just don't get it, I've owned 1 of each generation of Explorer, I found all to be very wonderful vehicles (had a 1994 and 1997). The 2004 I just bought is wonderful, so much improved, Ford did a darn good job addressing a lot of the problems that the prev generations had. I'm impressed and glad I stuck with Ford.
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