Interesting Report on CNN about Explorer Axle Skate

[JDraper]

I just saw an interesting report on CNN about the Explorer Rollover issue in Venezuela. According to the report,(remember, they don't always tell the whole story) Ford has confidential information (1997 internal memo) that the cause of many of the rollovers in Venezuela are caused not by the tires (according to the report, there are a considerable # of rollovers that happen when Non Firestone tires explode) , but by "high speed and rough road rear axle skate". They are advising their dealers that they should replace the shocks with an Australian shock (didn't say what brand) to eliminate this problem, but only do it if the customers complain about it. Apparently, this is what Firestone is using as the basis for their insistance that the Explorer has a design flaw.

 

[J. Kennedy]

"Skate"?

What is "skate"? Do they mean "shake"? That would explain the weird 3rd shock absorber. If so Firestone may have a point. It would also explain why the left rear tire blows more often than the other 3.

 

[NoBoundaries]

That's pretty interesting. I never thought of it before, but I see how it is a big possibility. Ford upgraded the shocks in Australia a little while back siting the fact that the Explorers in Austrilia encounter rougher terrain.

 

[Stephen]

Brings to mind the question, how much faster are Explorers driven in Australia or Venezualia? Could we need the upgrade too?

 

[briantf]

I just don't buy the Venezuela thing..

I've had both the current and the retired quality control managers from the local (recently closed due to labor/electricity woes) Pirelli plant in my classes.

They both opined that the statistical data available showed clearly that the failure rate of the Firestone tires on Explorers was a function of both the design and the construction of the tires.

Goodyear is hardly the top of the foodchain when it comes to tire quality (Michelin is the undisputed champ, Bridgestone (!!) and Yokahama were mentioned very favorably by both these managers), yet the failure rate on the same vehicle is MINISCULE in a sample set that is way larger than it needs to be to constitute "proof." If Goodyear tires don't fail, and Firestone tires do fail, how can the Explorer be the issue?

Tread separations are a HUGE deal - one of the top judgement getters against tire companies. Ford knew a long time ago, and so did Firestone, that their tires were prone to failure in this particular manner. One of the quality control guys said it's almost always a matter of the adhesive mix - air pressure is moot, 26 lb is plenty for the max rated load on the Explorer.

It's in Firestone's best interests to point the finger at Ford, and it's in Venezuela's best interests as well - Firestone is broke, Ford is not, and Ford has a lot more assets at risk in Venezuela.

A local community leader was recently killed in an accident while driving her 99 Explorer. The accident was caused by a Cadillac driver making an unsafe pass swerving into her truck and forcing her off the road. The Explorer rolled at 55+ mph (the Caddy was doing 80+ according to witnesses) once it was off the highway and on to the shoulder.

Was that a tire failure? No. Was that a design flaw in the Explorer? No. Was that pretty damn bad luck following a dangerous and illegal moving violation? Yes. Is everyone shaking their heads about an Explorer jumping up and killing it's owner? You bet.

A single story is a story. 2.9 million tires on 500,000 vehicles is a statistically valid control group showing that the vehicle is not the causal factor.

Best,
Brian in CA