2020 ST Chassis Photos

[Rick]

I put our ST on my lift today and photographed the undercarriage while everything is still nice and clean. I am providing this for future reference.

I was surprised at the lower control arm setup. I have never before seen a two piece lower control arms or two lower ball joints before.

 

[1991 sploder]

Nice FoMoCo parts I like how tucked up everything is alot of ground clearance.

 

[Josh P]

My merkur scorpio has the same looking rubber puck in the driveshaft. It left me walking once.

 

[hbalek]

I put our ST on my lift today and photographed the undercarriage while everything is still nice and clean. I am providing this for future reference.

I was surprised at the lower control arm setup. I have never before seen a two piece lower control arms or two lower ball joints before.

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This is how it will look after a year and 12,000 miles!

 

[KKRISKAL]

wow hbalek, it looks clean even after one year.

 

[hbalek]

wow hbalek, it looks clean even after one year.

Yes and most importantly no coolant or transmission fluid leaks detected. I had my service advisor confirm this when I got an oil change last week. He said the area looked bone dry when they had it on the lift.

 

[1991 sploder]

What about the oil?

 

[hbalek]

What about the oil?

Nothing is leaking at the moment.

 

[1991 sploder]

Nice I hope everything stays that way... I'm seeing a tiny exhaust leak just fyi on the passenger side on the I used my terminator eye that's going to rust.

 

[410Fortune]

Maybe send a sample of your oil in to be analyzed?
These engines have been in the "news" alot lately

 

[themishmosh]

What about the oil?

Everyone with a 2020 needs to check for tranny oil leak at the trans cooler seen from the drivers side door underneath. It'll be wet and maybe dripping oil if you have that problem.

Who is dissatisfied with the 2020 Ten-Speed Trans

A repair shop(not the dealer) did something to stop the leak and hopefully topped the atf off in the 2020 Explorer 2.3L 2wd. The trans functions and the drive/reverse engagements are better but there's still gear whine and poor shift quality. There's also still atf dripping slowly off the shift...

www.explorerforum.com

Overall, I am impressed at the quality of the suspension components. Pretty stout and high quality. I've seen pics of a Telluride suspension and didn't think it looked as robust. The rear suspension was something new to me, glad someone posted tips on how to change the springs in the rear. Front and back lowering is pretty straightforward on our cars, about 3 hours for a DIYer.

 

[clarkshemi]

I put our ST on my lift today and photographed the undercarriage while everything is still nice and clean. I am providing this for future reference.

I was surprised at the lower control arm setup. I have never before seen a two piece lower control arms or two lower ball joints before.

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Hey I just got a 2021 platinum with 3.0 and see there's a recall not done on the rear-end bolt. So call and set up an appointment. so I looked under mine and it only has the one bolt set up. Do you know why? I would think the two bolt set up is better.

 

[peterk9]

Hey I just got a 2021 platinum with 3.0 and see there's a recall not done on the rear-end bolt. So call and set up an appointment. so I looked under mine and it only has the one bolt set up. Do you know why? I would think the two bolt set up is better.

Welcome to the Forum Clark.
I believe that Ford has continued with the 1-bolt system on the Explorers and said that they have "strengthened" the parts used. My previous '20, '23 and current '25 Aviator(s) all had the 2-bolt system. Not sure why the difference.

Peter

 

[Rick]

Hey I just got a 2021 platinum with 3.0 and see there's a recall not done on the rear-end bolt. So call and set up an appointment. so I looked under mine and it only has the one bolt set up. Do you know why? I would think the two bolt set up is better.

The 2 bolt system is stronger. Ford with their infinite wisdom decided that instead of addressing the problem they caused by eliminating one bolt, they would do a software patch which automatically engages the parking brake every time the vehicle is turned off. This is to keep the truck from rolling away should the one bolt break, and the rear driveshaft seperate. I have read in other groups which are more centered on performance modifications that Ford actually de-rated the torque output from a standing start to put less stress on the one bolt rear crossmember. Of course, good luck proving that.wo

It really blows my mind that on a 400HP vehicle they would choose to support the rear of the differential with one instead of two bolts which is how they were originally designed. It would have been an easy fix for them to go back to two bolts on all the 400HP Explorers, but of course an extra bolt and an extra bushing costs "extra money".

 

[Rick]

Hey I just got a 2021 platinum with 3.0 and see there's a recall not done on the rear-end bolt. So call and set up an appointment. so I looked under mine and it only has the one bolt set up. Do you know why? I would think the two bolt set up is better.

This thread shows one of the aftermarket fixes which helps support the rear differential:

Sold - Steeda 555-8141 Rear Differential Brace, $450 shipped USPS Priority in the US

Steeda shows this as working on 2020-2023 models. It may fit 2024/25, but I'm not sure. The brace was on for about 100 miles. It does cause a little bit of driveline noise which is why I'm selling it. My wife could hear it she said. I just turn the radio up myself, but happy wife, happy...

www.explorerforum.com

There are a few different companies which make their own versions of this.

 

[SClark08]

Hey I just got a 2021 platinum with 3.0 and see there's a recall not done on the rear-end bolt. So call and set up an appointment. so I looked under mine and it only has the one bolt set up. Do you know why? I would think the two bolt set up is better.

Echoing Rick's message; Steeda's brace is great. If you're a budget conscious owner like me, AWR Racing's brace and JXB's bushing support are also great solutions. Here is my writeup on AWR's product: 6th-Gen Explorer Differential Setup & Why Bracing Matters

 

[J L W]

Echoing Rick's message; Steeda's brace is great. If you're a budget conscious owner like me, AWR Racing's brace and JXB's bushing support are also great solutions. Here is my writeup on AWR's product: 6th-Gen Explorer Differential Setup & Why Bracing Matters

I did exactly this ! AWR(Red) brace, JBX Bushing support and a Strengthened Bolt ♥

 

[J L W]

Hey I just got a 2021 platinum with 3.0 and see there's a recall not done on the rear-end bolt. So call and set up an appointment. so I looked under mine and it only has the one bolt set up. Do you know why? I would think the two bolt set up is better.

Get AWR diff brace + JBX bushing support , and a Hardened single bolt