Everything goes wrong with my X... But I still love her.

[nebexplorer]

I have had my '03 for almost a month (previously had a '98 XLT that was bulletproof) and Murphy's Law is kicking my a$$. So far, the bearings need replaced, leaking PS fluid from rack and pinions, blend door actuator failed, plastic piece in back has cracked, and im guessing that the humming noise from the rear means the rear diff. needs to be replaced(?)...

Anybody else have a love/hate relationship with their X?







Also, any cheap fixes for any of these problems? I have plans for the rig (BTF spacers, rancho's, some bigger tires, aussie-lock, ect.), so I want to get these out of the way before I start up...

 

[Jwigs7]

Sounds like you got hustled on a bad ex man..

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

I have had my '03 for almost a month (previously had a '98 XLT that was bulletproof) and Murphy's Law is kicking my a$$. So far, the bearings need replaced, leaking PS fluid from rack and pinions, blend door actuator failed, plastic piece in back has cracked, and im guessing that the humming noise from the rear means the rear diff. needs to be replaced(?)...

Anybody else have a love/hate relationship with their X?







Also, any cheap fixes for any of these problems? I have plans for the rig (BTF spacers, rancho's, some bigger tires, aussie-lock, ect.), so I want to get these out of the way before I start up...

Leave the rear alone unless it messes up quite a few had rear end whine imo the 3.55 shines more but two my three I have are 3.55 open the one with tow package has done much better
As for other problems most are the common issues (good to fix and get out of way) leaking ps is bad though...
Edit you can flush your rear into a bucket and check for shavings if your really concerned...
Hope this helps

 

[BigRondo]

I have had my '03 for almost a month (previously had a '98 XLT that was bulletproof) and Murphy's Law is kicking my a$$. So far, the bearings need replaced, leaking PS fluid from rack and pinions, blend door actuator failed, plastic piece in back has cracked, and im guessing that the humming noise from the rear means the rear diff. needs to be replaced(?)...

Anybody else have a love/hate relationship with their X?







Also, any cheap fixes for any of these problems? I have plans for the rig (BTF spacers, rancho's, some bigger tires, aussie-lock, ect.), so I want to get these out of the way before I start up...

Welcome aboard!!

Here is the fix for the blend door actuator: How To: Replace Blend Door Actuator in 3rd Gen Ex

Good luck!

 

[MinVikesFan]

My 2002 Ford Explorer has problems all the time. Gas mileage sucks. But i friggin love it. I drive it everywhere. I love driving it. My girlfriend thinks i'm weird...

 

[nebexplorer]

Wills05xlt4x4: No shavings, looks fine... Any idea what the winding sound is?

BigRondo: Thanks for pointing that out, got away with not cutting the dash thanks to a 85 y/o vet that hangs aroung the base auto shop here.

MinVikesFan: You try the air box mod, BWM, and a new gas filter? helped me out... I just put 255 70 16's (wanted to go 265's, but I think im going to wait and get it lifted first) on it though and im curious to see what it does.

 

[jayton]

That is just the sound that Ford rear ends make. You get used to it. I have had the noise from the beginning, and it has never caused any problems. The whurring hum that moves to a higher pitch as vehicle speed increases is louder on some than others.

The back plastic piece is broken on nearly every 02-05 model, just look around. Maybe someday a rock will accidentally fly up from the road and crack the glass, which you could get replaced under insurance.

Blend door actuator is common and very simple.

Bearings go bad all the time on this vehicle.

Small leak in power steering rack can be driven on forever. Just keep the fluid level checked frequently. Depending on how bad the leak is, you may have to top it off only twice a year.

If that is all the problems you have, then I would say that you are in good shape. I'm sure all those things did not just fail in the last month. These problems were accumulated over time by the last owner being lazy.

-Check your upper and lower ball joints on the front as well.

-Just like any vehicle, valve cover gaskets leak, too. Keep the area around the spark plug boots clean of crud.