Vibration on Acceleration

[Craig4Fun]

Ok, I'm new to the board here, but I can see there is a real goldmine of experience and talent out there. I'm sure you've heard this one before, but I was unable to turn up anything on the search. Here goes...
I've got a '97 Explorer 6 cyl, automatic, 2WD with what Ford called a tow package when we bought it. Looks like a lower rear end ratio and a tranny cooler.
When I accelerate from a stop, with or without a trailer, and I either make a turn or catch a bump, I pick up a growl from the rear of the vehicle. I've only got 20K miles on it as I keep it primarily to tow a small travel trailer. The growl has happened since it was new, and only happens under a load as in rapid acceleration w/out a trailer, or heavy acceleration with teh trailer.
Anyone got a similar problem and found a fix for it. I haven't noticed any deficiency from it, but it is an annoyance.
Also, I indicated that it has a factory tow package. How come Ford, unlike Chevy, doesn't give you the wiring for trailer brakes. Helped a friend with his Suburban, and the heavy load wires were already there, as well as a lead to actuate the electric brake sensor. No so with Ford.

Thanks again

 

[Goober]

Not sure about the growl. But the towing wires for mine (91)were in that side cargo compartment above the drivers rear tire. I'm not sure if the newer models have the harness there or not.
The gear ratio should be listed on the drivers door jam near the bottom of the tag. It will give you a code that you'll need to decipher. Npritz(sp?) has a site with all the info for that just in case you wanted to know. Hope you find out what the prob is, my experience is limited with the older ones.

 

[ScottXXL]

Craig i have experienced the same growling under hard acceleration. But It doesn't happen all the time...very inconsistant which I hate and coming from the rear. I have a new rebuilt tranny, no towing package and an older 4x4 explorer. Of course the shop that rebiult my tranny couldn't find any probs or discovery any growling. I read some other posts to change your trans and diff fiulds to synthetic. Also, check your tranny cooler, see if it's functioning properly. As for me it's something I have to live with...my 2¢

 

[leebo]

Does it only happen in the turns??? If so it's nothing to worry about. A part of towing package was positive locking differential. This is similar to a locker in the rear end. When you turn and accelerate the gears "lock" in to give you the traction it thinks you need. If this is what it is there's not much you can do about it without removing the gear. The best you can do is just to live with it.

Hope this is the problem so I don't look like an idiot again

On another not.....I'd like to welcome you to the site. You are right in stating that this place is a goldmine of info. I just wish I had some of it. The site has saved me several dollars, and cost me even more in mods.

Good Luck

 

[2001ExpSport]

My explorer also came with the wiring harness. Check your rear compartments, it should be there. I also got one with my Ranger. If you didn't get one, ask your dealer for one, you should have gotten a kit if it wasn't already mounted. Look under the rear bumper left of the ball mount. You should have a connector with a weather cap on it. If you find the kit or get one, there will be mounting instructions. I had to mount the one on my Ranger, but my Exp came mounted.

I would think with the towing package you would have gotten that harness.

 

[Robert]

If you are talking about a harness for your trailer brake lights (and not your trailer brakes) then yes you should have gotten the harness in a 6"x4"x3" brown cardboard box. Mine came with my '97 towing package. It has a round plug on one end that plugs into the mating connector behind the rear bumper towards the center. The other end is the standard flat trailer connector (5-pin?). The noise you hear could be your limited slip, it comes with the tow package as well. I would try having it serviced to see if it gets rid of the noise even though you have pretty low mileage to need serviceing unless your rearend has been submirged in water before. There is supposed to be an additive in the LS to prevent it from chattering. If you work on your own, you should be able to do it in an hour for about $15. Even if you take it somewhere to have it done, it shouldn't be that high, just make sure they put the additive in.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Robert,

Are you sure those box dimesnions are correct? I thought the box was white.

 

[n2knee]

Mine does not a have a tow package, but.....

it came with the wiring harness.

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by 2001ExpSport
Robert,

Are you sure those box dimesnions are correct? I thought the box was white.

I was off a little My box measures 7"x5 1/2"x3". It is cardboard brown and the only markings on the box are "One F67B-15A416-AB W/A Kit".

 

[2001ExpSport]

LOL, ok good, I just wanted to be sure!

 

[bert2369]

dusting off an old post

Does it only happen in the turns??? If so it's nothing to worry about. A part of towing package was positive locking differential. This is similar to a locker in the rear end. When you turn and accelerate the gears "lock" in to give you the traction it thinks you need. If this is what it is there's not much you can do about it without removing the gear. The best you can do is just to live with it.

Hope this is the problem so I don't look like an idiot again

On another not.....I'd like to welcome you to the site. You are right in stating that this place is a goldmine of info. I just wish I had some of it. The site has saved me several dollars, and cost me even more in mods.

Good Luck

I have a 2002 Explorer XLT 4X4 (Full time automatic 4wd) V8 w/tow package. I pull a 24' camper with it (1100 lbs under the mfg towing weight limit for my explorer) with a weight distributing hitch. I hear and feel a growling noise from the front end when towing the camper. It is only noticeable when accelerating, usually over 45 mph, and gets worse when adding any amount of steering input.

I have searched and searched on here, but all threads point to bearings. But the truck does not make the noise when there is no load on it.

Now that I've written a novel of background:

Could it really be that it is just a 'feature' of the tow package? This is the first mention of this I have heard. Seems too good to be true. I keep invinsioning a front wheel falling off as I am driving to a camp ground on the other side of the state!