New to Explorers

[maroon93limited]

Hello all. Just bought my first Explorer today, a very nice 93 Limited. The wife and I were looking for a second vehicle, something a little bigger than our Kia for camping and what not. Found this on our local classified web site.
The interior is mint on this thing! The rear seats look to have never been sat in and everything is solid as hell with no squeaks or rattles going down a gravel road. The doors still shut with a satisfying thud and the carpets are as clean as the day it rolled off the assembly line!
My only concern is that when I put it into four wheel drive for the first time, there was a horrible CLANG! from under the truck, I'm assuming it was in the area of the transfer case. I shut it off right away and then tried it again and it didn't do it, so hopefully it was a one time only deal.
Anyway, just thought I'd say hello from the great white north. Nice to be here!

These are the pics I took last night before the previous owners vaccumed the interior a bit. Low mileage for a 93, 160,000 kilometers (not sure what that is in miles!). More pics to come!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

thats a nice x

 

[maroon93limited]

Took the beast for it's first highway jaunt tonight and noticed that the steering seems to be a little vague. The on center feel was crap, almost like it had a bit of play. Are these things know for that or should I be getting it checked out?

 

[dislexiclawyer]

My 92 sport steers the same way. I think that is just the way older Fords are. As for the 4x4 clunk noise, I believe that is normal.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the forum.. When shifting into 4x4 the Transfer case actuated by the electric 4x4 shift motor. The front drive shaft is then brought up to speed by an electromagnetic clutch which then powers the diff which sends power to the axles then hubs.. As such when engaging 4x4 with the hubs unlocked you will hear/feel some noise for a second or two.. Once the hubs are locked switching in/out of 4x4 will not make any noise as the front drive line is already locked in place and moving at the vehicles speed.

There can be various causes with vague steering (ball-joints, drag link, tie rods, steering box, steering shaft rag joint, axle pivot bushings, Radius arm bushings). In many cases the problem lies within the steering box and is due to normal wear of the steering gear. When the gear wears the steering becomes sloppy where you have to move the steering wheel 2" left or right before the vehicle reacts.. This causes you to continually make steering corrections which can get old fast..


Related Steering threads:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162524
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153579
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148336