Toby from MO
New Member
- Joined
- August 29, 2003
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Arnold, MO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Explorer XLT
Can anyone here help me out? I’ve got a 2003 Explorer XLT 4X4. I’ve noticed a subtle vibration/shutter in the vehicle when I accelerate from a standing position while the wheels are turned, either direction. A good example is a 3-point turn. I back out of my driveway, then simultaneously shift from reverse to drive while turning my wheels to the desired direction of travel and as I accelerate I feel the vibration. When I first felt the vibration I thought I had a tire rubbing but after a thorough inspection that doesn’t seam to be it.
Things I know:
- The steering wheel is not fully “crankedâ€. In fact, after much trial and error, the vibration seams to most prevalent when the wheel is approximately ½ turn from fully “crankedâ€.
- The vibration only happens when accelerating from a stand still with the wheels turned.
- The vibration is subtle. If I had to give it the sound it would be nothing more than a slight interruption in the smooth resonating sound of the engine in the cab as I accelerate.
- It is typically short in duration (from between 0-7 mph) and seams to disappear rapidly as I straighten the wheel and increase speed/RPM’s.
- Passengers in the car have felt the vibration so I believe it is not exclusive to the steering column.
- It may be in my head, but I feel a slight drain on the engine power as it occurs leading me to believe it is a “binding†type problem.
My power steering seams to be OK but I’m starting to think it may be going bad. It would explain a vibration only when the wheel is turned. It would explain a short duration vibration that would disappear as RPM’s increase. It would also explain a slight “binding†and momentary loss of power.
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Toby
Things I know:
- The steering wheel is not fully “crankedâ€. In fact, after much trial and error, the vibration seams to most prevalent when the wheel is approximately ½ turn from fully “crankedâ€.
- The vibration only happens when accelerating from a stand still with the wheels turned.
- The vibration is subtle. If I had to give it the sound it would be nothing more than a slight interruption in the smooth resonating sound of the engine in the cab as I accelerate.
- It is typically short in duration (from between 0-7 mph) and seams to disappear rapidly as I straighten the wheel and increase speed/RPM’s.
- Passengers in the car have felt the vibration so I believe it is not exclusive to the steering column.
- It may be in my head, but I feel a slight drain on the engine power as it occurs leading me to believe it is a “binding†type problem.
My power steering seams to be OK but I’m starting to think it may be going bad. It would explain a vibration only when the wheel is turned. It would explain a short duration vibration that would disappear as RPM’s increase. It would also explain a slight “binding†and momentary loss of power.
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Toby