1998 Explorer Vibration

[old cro]

Hello All,

I am very new to this forum and new to how these forums work, so please bare with me.
I am the owner of a 1998 Explorer XLT with 70,000 + miles on it. I bought it for my son a month ago after he went searching around for a car and found it. I myself own a 2001 Sports Trak that he loves so I figured he wanted something similar for his own.
The problem is there is a vibration I feel starting through the gas pedal when accelerating the vehicle. The vibration goes away when cruising at speed and I cannot tell where it is emanating from. Before my 30-day coverage expired, I took it back to the place we purchased it at to fix the vibration and also a squeaky brake sound my son said he had a problem with. They cut the rotors to fix the brakes and replaced the front ball joints and said that should fix the vibration.
Well, the vibration is still there and the car seems even worse than it was.
Any suggestions?
I am about to go back to the dealership to complain and/or get my warranty extended because I feel it could be a transmittion problem. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.


Thanks,
Old Cro

 

[old cro]

PS - Is this the correct place to post this question?

Old Cro

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Have them check the U joints, and balance the tires.

 

[old cro]

Thanks for the info. I know they aligned the truck after the ball joint replacement, but I don't know if this entails balancing the tires?

 

[Glen4X4]

My mom's 91 is doin that and thats what it needs is the U Joints

 

[gto4evr]

Thanks for the info. I know they aligned the truck after the ball joint replacement, but I don't know if this entails balancing the tires?

Tire balancing isn't part of an alignment.

Is the truck an AWD ? mine vibrates like hell, I attributed it to the full time 4WD on dry pavement until the CV joint on the front driveshaft seized up.

 

[old cro]

Again, thank you all for the info. The truck has buttons that put it into 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo. It is normally in 2WD.

Old Cro

 

[old cro]

More Information

I took the truck back to the dealership I got it at (not a Ford dealership) and told them I am still getting the vibration. They told me they had called a Ford dealership about the problem and were told "It is a common problem, don't worry about it". This does not smell right to me. I am planning to take it to the Ford dealership I bought my Sports Trak at and ask if this is true and ask them if one of their techs could test drive it and maybe tell me what the problem is.
I am open to advice and any ammunition anyone may have that I could use in this situation, and I thank you ahead of time for your assistance.

Old Cro

 

[Rottie]

If you feel like it's coming from the transmission, I wonder if it could be torque converter shudder? My '00 Crown Victoria had this. It felt like I was driving over little rumble strips in the road until I reached about 25-30 mph. A transmission flush cured that problem. I don't know if that's a common problem with the Explorers, but I imagine Ford's torque converters could be similar enough in design to have this problem show up in more than one type of vehicle. Maybe one of the more experienced Explorer guys here can add to this. Just a thought...

 

[BrooklynBay]

A lack of friction modifier in ATF could cause shudder. Mercon V has these ingredients while regular Mercon does not (unless you add Lubegard with friction modifier).

 

[Blueraven]

Old Crow, let us know what you find out. I just bought a 99 2 door 4X4 and it appears to be doing the same thing as your Son's. By the way, I bought this one for my Son as well.

Blueraven

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Transmission mount. Check it and see if the rubber is worn out. Mine did the same thing, went through a ton of things trying to fix it. Found out the mount was it. $20.00 part and no more vibration.

 

[gto4evr]

Transmission mount. Check it and see if the rubber is worn out. Mine did the same thing, went through a ton of things trying to fix it. Found out the mount was it. $20.00 part and no more vibration.

um, you realize this thread was started 7 years ago and the OP hasn't been on since then either so I doubt he'll be responding! I haven't been here in forever either, the email thread update was almost as funny as me remembering the password! I seriously doubt the guy's still has the problem, let alone the truck!

My explorer transmission tanked two months ago and the trucks been sitting in the driveway ever since -- anyone want a nice 98 v8 AWD parts truck with a bad tranny local to Buffalo NY?!?!?!? I couldn't justify spending more on the tranny than the entire trucks worth as well as the time crunch I had so it got replaced.

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Right, yes, old post.. But, when I originally had my problem, I searched and scrolled through many posts looking for suggestions and help with my vibration problem. I could not find one that mentioned transmission mounts. (I may have overlooked it) -- But, this is now in the books with a possible fix for someone else that may come along in the future