Photos My new 2003 Ford Explorer XLS 4 WD. Need advise. Coming from toyota land

[andyc34]

I took ownership of a 2003 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD (Gas) 147k. I got all brakes and oil change which were due.
Issues I need to look at-
1. Shop advised to change Upper ball joint/(or probably do the whole control arms). I am getting this done both front sides before I drive it anymore.
2. Passenger rear brake pads were worn unevenly. When viewed vertically the thickness was more on one end than the other. Didn’t take picture.
3. Rumbling sound when driving. I am not sure if its the ball joint issue or a bearing or something else. Need help here.

Other issues
1. Looks like alignment is bit off. If I keep the steering center on a flat road. It tends to go one way
2. Steering is a bit hard. Not sure if its normal. I drive a 2017 camry
3. Passenger and rear driver windows don’t roll up/down. Found out it’s a common issue.


Work planned-
1. Fluids and filters - Transmission, front axle, transfer case. Engine Air filter
2. AC feels a bit less cold. Will do a check and refill
3. Spark plugs

Let me know if I need something else too.

 

[mbed]

I took ownership of a 2003 Ford Explorer XLS 4WD (Gas) 147k. I got all brakes and oil change which were due.
Issues I need to look at-
1. Shop advised to change Upper ball joint/(or probably do the whole control arms). I am getting this done both front sides before I drive it anymore.
2. Passenger rear brake pads were worn unevenly. When viewed vertically the thickness was more on one end than the other. Didn’t take picture.
3. Rumbling sound when driving. I am not sure if its the ball joint issue or a bearing or something else. Need help here.

Other issues
1. Looks like alignment is bit off. If I keep the steering center on a flat road. It tends to go one way
2. Steering is a bit hard. Not sure if its normal. I drive a 2017 camry
3. Passenger and rear driver windows don’t roll up/down. Found out it’s a common issue.


Work planned-
1. Fluids and filters - Transmission, front axle, transfer case. Engine Air filter
2. AC feels a bit less cold. Will do a check and refill
3. Spark plugs

Let me know if I need something else too.

View attachment 453616

This generation of explorers are notorious for burning through wheel bearings! Did all of mine several times over (cuz I originally thought a cheap chinese 10 yr warranty bearing would last! They don't but you get good at changing them, eventually!).

I recommend determining which wheel is at fault. Usually ABS light comes on if fronts go bad. If back bearing fails, the wheel can get very wobbly. You can jack up each corner and try to wiggle tire. If any movement in both 9-3 and 12 - 6 it is most likely wheel bearing.

hope this helps!

PS-i'm nearing 300 k miles on my 02

 

[fordysenior]

Depending on what engine you have -- Have a 4.6L? Here's a problem I bet you all have...

Also, consider brake fluid change. There are videos on the net showing how to 'single hand' replace the fluid. It's easy and not expensive.
Also, uneven brake pad wear could be brake caliper issues.

 

[Turdle]

Suspect sound to be bad bearing on wheel with highly worn brakes

 

[Stynx]

Depending on what engine you have -- Have a 4.6L? Here's a problem I bet you all have...

Also, consider brake fluid change. There are videos on the net showing how to 'single hand' replace the fluid. It's easy and not expensive.
Also, uneven brake pad wear could be brake caliper issues.

Agree about the brakes. It's easy to make a brake bleeder out of some fuel line and an empty water bottle. Worked great for me and I'm about due to do it again.

Uneven pad wear is troubling. I'd pull the calipers and check the piston function and slide pins. Also look for debris under the pads. There is also no reason to assume the pads were correctly installed. Worst comes to worst replace the calipers - they aren't that expensive and are easy to do.

Brakes and tires are not the place to economize.

 

[TechGuru]

Don't buy any spark plug other than the Motorcraft SP500.

Refer to the links in my signature.

 

[ExplorerRider]

Don't buy any spark plug other than the Motorcraft SP500.

Refer to the links in my signature.

I own an '05 4×4 XLT w/4.0 V6... Was abt to use AC DELCO... Why Motorcraft only?

 

[mountaineer2004]

I own an '05 4×4 XLT w/4.0 V6... Was abt to use AC DELCO... Why Motorcraft only?

Because ford engines get along well with ford spark plugs...other brand plugs, not so well.

 

[TechGuru]

I own an '05 4×4 XLT w/4.0 V6... Was abt to use AC DELCO... Why Motorcraft only?

Because ford engines get along well with ford spark plugs...other brand plugs, not so well.

Not to mention it's a wasted spark ignition system which some plug designs don't like being used backwards.

Wasted spark system - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I recommend reversing your spark plug wires at the coil at 40K miles to even the wear on the plug for the remaining 40K miles of the plug life.

 

[ExplorerRider]

Don't buy any spark plug other than the Motorcraft SP500.

Refer to the links in my signature.

I meant to ask you abt this. I wanted to w/iridium plugs for my 4.0 v6... But no???

 

[TechGuru]

I meant to ask you abt this. I wanted to w/iridium plugs for my 4.0 v6... But no???

In theory anything should be double (AKA TWIN TIP) since the electric flow on one bank is backwards.

It looks like Denso is the only manufacture that makes twin tip plugs.



DENSO 4713 Iridium TT $5.98 x 6 = $35.88 | rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6276849

These are the only NON-OEM (SP500) I would even consider trying.

 

[ExplorerRider]

In theory anything should be double (AKA TWIN TIP) since the electric flow on one bank is backwards.

It looks like Denso is the only manufacture that makes twin tip plugs.



DENSO 4713 Iridium TT $5.98 x 6 = $35.88 | rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6276849
View attachment 455175

These are the only NON-OEM (SP500) I would even consider trying.

Hey... Yet again, I really appreciate you! Oh! Also... I got a front-end alignment (I told the kid a full alignment, but he only did the front, but how important is the rear-end alignment? I ask because of financial issues.

 

[TechGuru]

Hey... Yet again, I really appreciate you! Oh! Also... I got a front-end alignment (I told the kid a full alignment, but he only did the front, but how important is the rear-end alignment? I ask because of financial issues.

Very important and just as easy as the front, the rear toe is factory adjustable.

To add caster/camber adjustment you need to add a pair of these to each side of the front and to adjust the rear camber you need to add a pair to the rear (one on each side). So in total you need to buy 3 pairs.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7587280

 

[ExplorerRider]

Very important and just as easy as the front, the rear toe is factory adjustable.

To add caster/camber adjustment you need to add a pair of these to each side of the front and to adjust the rear camber you need to add a pair to the rear (one on each side). So in total you need to buy 3 pairs.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7587280

I see... Can't express my thnx enough as far as your taking the time to respond is concerned. Ty a lot. Really

 

[Fix4Dirt]

In theory anything should be double (AKA TWIN TIP) since the electric flow on one bank is backwards.

It looks like Denso is the only manufacture that makes twin tip plugs.



DENSO 4713 Iridium TT $5.98 x 6 = $35.88 | rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6276849
View attachment 455175

These are the only NON-OEM (SP500) I would even consider trying.

Interesting. Ive used NGK iridiums with no ill effect for a long time. Never noticed a difference motorcraft vs NGK. Granted I change plugs every 40k or so, so maybe not as much chance to wear.

 

[TechGuru]

Interesting. Ive used NGK iridiums with no ill effect for a long time. Never noticed a difference motorcraft vs NGK. Granted I change plugs every 40k or so, so maybe not as much chance to wear.

Those double twin tip iridium I linked should in theory easily do the 100K service interval. Factory SP500 are supposed to be 100K but in practice they're more like 60-75K .

 

[TechGuru]

Here are what SP500's look like at 80K.

As you can see the driver side bank is a lot more worn than the passenger bank.

I may give dual tip iridium or dual tip platinum a try next change.

I've been getting a random DTC if one bank running rich, don't remember which one, but if it's the driver side I bet that is a good indicator that it's time to change them.