Is this thing on???

[SnookMan]

Okay, well I just purchased another explorer......'02XLT 4.6L 2wd. Car is really clean and only had 62K miles on it. But here I am posting, so of course I'm having problems.

1st, service engine light came on while driving it home from Tampa. The error code it threw was PO401....I believe this to be the DPFE? How hard is this to replace and what kind of damage as far as funding? I cleared the code and it hasn't turned back on yet but I would like to fix the problem if its easy enough.

2nd, noticed a whining/hum from the rear end. Just saw a post in the tech area about the whine and that you have to rebuild the rack and pinion with an updated kit. Anybody else ever dealt with this? I thought that it was a wheel bearing or something, and now after reading the tech article am pretty convinced that this is what I'm dealing with. I'm a picky guy and everything has to be in tip top working condition. This whine will drive me nuts! It is very loud at higher speeds.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I plan on ripping into the truck in the morning to see what I got.......before the game of course!!! We all know the GIANTS will come out victorios right?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! The DPFE is a common part to fail if moisture gets into it. Check the vacuum line going to it. It might have to be replaced as well. As for the whine, you said that it's in the rear, then you mentioned the rack & pinion. That part is for the steering, and it doesn't whine. The P/S pump may whine if it's low on fluid, has air in it, or is going bad. Put the vehicle on a lift, and let the wheels coast at a low speed to see where the sound is coming from.

 

[manaen]

1st, service engine light came on while driving it home from Tampa. The error code it threw was PO401....I believe this to be the DPFE? How hard is this to replace and what kind of damage as far as funding? I cleared the code and it hasn't turned back on yet but I would like to fix the problem if its easy enough.

Very simple fix and replacement. just make sure there are no other problems, like a stuck EGR, or a leak in the vacuum line to the DPFE.

2nd, noticed a whining/hum from the rear end. Just saw a post in the tech area about the whine and that you have to rebuild the rack and pinion with an updated kit. Anybody else ever dealt with this? I thought that it was a wheel bearing or something, and now after reading the tech article am pretty convinced that this is what I'm dealing with. I'm a picky guy and everything has to be in tip top working condition. This whine will drive me nuts! It is very loud at higher speeds.

Sorry I have no expirience with the gen3 rear suspension

 

[SnookMan]

Thanks fellas........
As far as the rack and pinion, I just realized I said that..I was refering to the ring and pinion in the rear end..

Issue:

Some vehicles listed above may have a whine/hum during acceleration, deceleration, and/or cruise.

Action:

Use axle repair kit to fix the issue. This kit should be used instead of installing a complete rear axle assembly. Replace the Ring and Pinion and it's components.

 

[manaen]

The gear set (ring and pinion) takes some know how and special tools mostly a dial caliper and special dye to check run in. The gears must be aligned properly or there will be too much play which will weaken the gears causing abnormal wear, or they will be too tight which will also cause abnormal wear. This can be done at home if you have the desire to learn and attention to detail. However it is not something that is generally recommended for a typical "do my own tune-ups" kind of person.

 

[Joe Dirt]

My Gen III ('04) had the same whine, for the entire 36,000 miles I owned her. The axle fix described is the only fix...

 

[wood1]

I recently read a post about substandard bearings that Ford has used in those independant 8.8's

I have been pounding on my 8.8 in the stang without any trouble and it's an '87, my exploder has 290,000 kms and is still on it's origional carier and pinion bearings too.