2002 XLS/XLT Steering Column rattle | Ford Explorer Forums

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2002 XLS/XLT Steering Column rattle

Rscotts1

Elite Explorer
Joined
October 17, 2001
Messages
500
Reaction score
0
City, State
Honolulu, Hawaii
Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 XLS
Have heard stories of a few 2002 XLS/XLT's having problems with steering column vibration/rattle. I had this same problem with mine and thought I'd share my experiences/problems/fixes: In December I took my 2002 XLS into the dealer for the above mentioned problem. The steering column was rattling and vibrating..kind of felt like X had excessive steering wheel play. Was really annoying, especially on rough roads. The dealer replaced the front wheel bearings along with 3 different steering shaft parts per TSB 15580. The X drove fine after that but approx 200 miles later the problem was back, this time much more worse! So I head back to the dealer. This time they tell me that they cannot repair it and hand me the very same TSB and point out that the problem has been referred to engineering and a fix is expected 2nd quarter 2002. Talk about being unsat!! Well two months later the dealer calls to inform me that a new TSB is out (TSB 15647). This TSB list's a new part (Steering Intermediate shaft) part #1L2Z-3B767-BB, which is supposed to cure the problem. Due to take in my X next week to have new part installed. Hope this finally takes care of the VERY ANNOYING vibrating/rattling in the steering wheel/column. Hope this helps any other 2002 XLS/XLT owners who have experienced this same problem. Will keep you all posted as to how the fix performs.
 






Steering wheel/cloumn rattle

Well, just got my X back from the dealer yesterday after finally getting the Lower Steering Shaft replaced! Took them only 2 hours to do! The X drives like new again, no more column rattle/vibration and no more steering wheel play...just hope this fix is final. From reading other post's, Explorer's seem to have a history of steering wheel/column vibration/looseness. Is this a recurring problem that never goes away? Hope not. Well, thanks for my input. ;)
 






hehe.. I guess I wouldnt know.. I always buy them when they are old news.. so by the time I get my splorers all the TSB are pretty much complete and all the rattles and squeaks are from just being old... but honestly my splorer really doesnt have any annoying squeaks or rattles..
 






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