Ford explorer with so many problems please help me

[sze kan]

hi guys,
i have just managed to fix the suspension related problem i had in my car. the things that needed repairs were
1) tire rod
2) a thin rod which stands almost vertical and has two rubber ends.. (sorry i dont know whats it called)

all of the above had play in them and could easily be moved with my hands... the one replaced were very stiff.

the next repair will be the brakes but for now i am exhausted financially....

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

hi guys,
i have just managed to fix the suspension related problem i had in my car. the things that needed repairs were
1) tire rod
2) a thin rod which stands almost vertical and has two rubber ends.. (sorry i dont know whats it called)

all of the above had play in them and could easily be moved with my hands... the one replaced were very stiff.

the next repair will be the brakes but for now i am exhausted financially....

The one in red in the quote was common and what others were trying to advise you on and glad you found it. At slow speeds this (when worn out) will "clunk" at slow speeds.

 

[KayGee]

i just replaced my stock tires with 265/50/20... i noticed that the left side front and back tire pattern is facing forward while the right side front and back pattern is facing backwards.. is this a problem?? there is no "arrow" or "this side out" kind of remarks on the tire. But i have noticed that there is a lot of road noise after the tire change

If they are non-directional, it shouldn't make a difference which way they are mounted. If they are directional, then they should be marked as such, and it will make a difference if they aren't mounted correctly.

Your best bet is to take them back to the shop where you bought them and inquire with them.

 

[sze kan]

after using the car for 3 days, the knocking came back. I went to another garage and they said that the first garage tried to repair the "sway bar links" and it broke. they also diagnosed oil leaks in the shockers. The tire rod was also loose.
basically everything which the first garage repaired became loose.
This time I bought all new parts.. so far everything is fixed however I still feel some sort of "thud" noise when I go over potholes but I assume that's because I am riding on 20" wheels...

one more thing, the garage said that I need to replace or repair the Rack and pinion as there seems to be a little play where the tire rod fits... is this the steering column ? I searched the internet for "terrain management failure" and many said that they replaced the steering column... could this be related to the "tms" failure I am getting ?

 

[sze kan]

Ok I have an update, so last night the knocking sound from the suspension came back despite of putting all new components (shockers, outer tire rod, sway bar links)
so I went to the garage again and they opened the front suspension to inspect. they told me that they could move the Rack and pinion with a wrench and that is what is making the sound. it should be rock solid. we decided to fix it on monday so tjey put back all the components.. and guess what??? all the knocking noise dissappeared.i said that maybe something was loose or not fit in properly but they said that after sometime the sound will come again unless i fix the Fault....
Is this true? everytime they fix my suspension the noise goes away and then after a day comes back... could it really be the Rack and pinion ?

 

[sze kan]

I have an update.
so finely I bite the bullet and got the Rack and pinion repaired along with the control arm ball joint. suspension feels much better but still not like a new car considering the fact that I have basically changed the whole suspension part..... but no nosie/clunking etc. and the steering feels heavy and tight unlike before.

I am still getting the terrain management system error. I shall be going to ford on Monday and shall give an update.
thanks

 

[sze kan]

just to update, my TMS fault has been finally solved. it was an update for the abs module along with some other files.

 

[sze kan]

sorry,
today the error appeared again... really dissapointed....
going to the dealer tomorrow.. will keep update this thread once i hear from them...

 

[peterk9]

sorry,
today the error appeared again... really dissapointed....
going to the dealer tomorrow.. will keep update this thread once i hear from them...

Not surprised. When the steering issue first came about, dealers were updating software for the steering but in the end the only resolution was to replace the steering rack. Not sure if this is the same issue you are experiencing.

Peter

 

[sze kan]

Not surprised. When the steering issue first came about, dealers were updating software for the steering but in the end the only resolution was to replace the steering rack. Not sure if this is the same issue you are experiencing.

Peter

at this point I really don't know what could be the issue but I feel it's the throttle body.
I noticed that after I switch on the car after the error has occurred, my ex takes a very long cel to start up as if it's struggling to get fuel or oxygen also before the error shows up, the engine feels as if it's struggling for something

 

[sze kan]

update

the dealer called in for a new trottle body. they think its The ETB and needs to be replaced... around $500 cost.....
and dont even know if the problem will totally resolve from there onwards...

 

[sze kan]

hi guys,
everyday this car keeps getting worse...
after the throttle body replacement i took the car from the dealer. drove about 100kms and everything looks fine. after parking at the resto. i came back after 30 mins and switching on the car i was greeted with "power steering assist failure" "service advanctrac" "terrian management fault". in total 3 faults. tried to restart the car and also remove the negative terminal but nothing worked.
This is seriously Ridiculous for a car which is just 27,000 miles and just 5 years old.

 

[Halford1]

shooooooooot I hate that you have problems with it!