• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Flex pipes rattling

B

Blivit

Member
#1
Messages
86
Reactions
35
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
20 Platinum
#1
Thoughts on fixing this on my 2020. I know the SSM has dealers putting hose clamps on the flex pipes. It seems this is not fully fixing the issue. I also know there are new OE pipe sections that some say are fixing the issue. Lastly, there are the 2 (that I have found) mid pipes from lethal and thermal. I am not interested in replacing the entire exhaust as this is my wife's daily driver. She wouldn't mind some increase in sound but I really just want to get rid of the rattling.

1. The new OE mid pipes are relatively inexpensive (under 200 for both) but is that really fixing it?
2. With the aftermarket pipes, how much are they alone increasing the exhaust sound? These are $450+ which is obviously more than the above OE pipes. Just not sure if these are worth the trouble.
 

C

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
#2
Messages
1,689
Reactions
841
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#2
If the hose clamps don't fix the issue, the dealer is supposed to replace the midpipes with the newer version. This new version looks identical though and not sure it fixes the problem or just gets you past the warranty period. The aftermarket parts will definitely fix the problem, can be installed by anyone and may save you some time addressing the problem. Time is money. Being that you have a 2020, make sure you check out the cat downpipe. I have a feeling the welds are prone to fail on almost all of them for MY2020.
 

mcfarlrm

mcfarlrm

Member
#3
Messages
260
Reactions
95
Points
27
Location
Safety Harbor, FL, USA
#3
Ford's flex pipe replacement does not fix the issue. They replaced mine, which remedied the issue for a couple months until it started again. Do yourself a favor and either purchase new mid pipes or flex sections that connect to the factory exhaust. Be sure to check that anything aftermarket can be directly connected to factory since some are specific to complete aftermarket exhaust systems. I don't believe swapping out to aftermarket will change any exhaust note. Had my cat's replaced almost a year ago on my 2020 under the recall/warranty and are still holding up. If they fail again I will be purchasing catted downpipes.
 

jrgoffin

jrgoffin

Member
#4
Messages
349
Reactions
288
Points
67
Location
The midwest
#4
I put three clamps on each of my flex sections to keep the chicken-wire from rattling. Has worked fine and cost next to nothing. If they ever get worse, the flex pipes with the mesh are another inexpensive option.
 

OP
B

Blivit

Member
Thread Starter #5
Messages
86
Reactions
35
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
20 Platinum
Thread Starter #5
jrgoffin said:
I put three clamps on each of my flex sections to keep the chicken-wire from rattling. Has worked fine and cost next to nothing. If they ever get worse, the flex pipes with the mesh are another inexpensive option.
Click to expand...
Interesting thought. I may have to try that for now.
 

OP
B

Blivit

Member
Thread Starter #6
Messages
86
Reactions
35
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
20 Platinum
Thread Starter #6
Next thoughts. There is a ton of movement on the flex pipes. If you stiffen that up with either aftermarket pipes or aftermarket flex, that movement still exists but possibly moved to a different location. Won't that put stress elsewhere?
 

Lethalperformance

Lethalperformance

Member
Vendor
#7
Messages
56
Reactions
30
Points
17
Location
South Florida
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#7
We have seen multiple people go through the TSB/Ford fix and still have issues with the flex section. We'd be happy to help with a set of mids if you'd like Lethal/Thermal ones.
 

mcfarlrm

mcfarlrm

Member
#8
Messages
260
Reactions
95
Points
27
Location
Safety Harbor, FL, USA
#8
Lethalperformance said:
We have seen multiple people go through the TSB/Ford fix and still have issues with the flex section. We'd be happy to help with a set of mids if you'd like Lethal/Thermal ones.
Click to expand...
Purchased my Thermal R&D with mid pipes through you guys and absolutely love it. Best pricing out there.
 

Lethalperformance

Lethalperformance

Member
Vendor
#9
Messages
56
Reactions
30
Points
17
Location
South Florida
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#9
mcfarlrm said:
Purchased my Thermal R&D with mid pipes through you guys and absolutely love it. Best pricing out there.
Click to expand...
Awesome! Happy to hear you enjoy them. We appreciate the business and hope you have a great holiday season.
 

D

dolsen

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
#10
Messages
278
Reactions
168
Points
37
Location
Louisville, KY, USA
#10
I got a letter in the mail today from Ford for a recall related to the rattling pipes. I wonder if they have an actual long term fix for this now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

OP
B

Blivit

Member
Thread Starter #11
Messages
86
Reactions
35
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
20 Platinum
Thread Starter #11
dolsen said:
I got a letter in the mail today from Ford for a recall related to the rattling pipes. I wonder if they have an actual long term fix for this now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Is it actually a recall? The letter should have a number on it for reference. What is it?
 

D

dolsen

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
#12
Messages
278
Reactions
168
Points
37
Location
Louisville, KY, USA
#12
Emission Recall 21E11 is the title of the letter
 

cagilber

cagilber

New Member
#13
Messages
15
Reactions
12
Points
2
Location
Indiana
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#13
100% recommend the lethal performance mid-pipes. A necessity for after market cat back exhausts and probably a good/easy addition for the stock exhaust.
 

OP
B

Blivit

Member
Thread Starter #14
Messages
86
Reactions
35
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
20 Platinum
Thread Starter #14
cagilber said:
100% recommend the lethal performance mid-pipes. A necessity for after market cat back exhausts and probably a good/easy addition for the stock exhaust.
Click to expand...
Definitely considering. Surprised more companies aren't making these though with how bad the stock pipes are. I did try the Ford "fix" recently of the wonderful hose clamps....yeah, that did absolutely nothing.
 

Lethalperformance

Lethalperformance

Member
Vendor
#15
Messages
56
Reactions
30
Points
17
Location
South Florida
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#15
Blivit said:
Definitely considering. Surprised more companies aren't making these though with how bad the stock pipes are. I did try the Ford "fix" recently of the wonderful hose clamps....yeah, that did absolutely nothing.
Click to expand...
We're in Wellington, FL if you wanted to pickup a set :)
 

V3nom3nom

V3nom3nom

Member
Nurse
#16
Messages
197
Reactions
106
Points
37
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#16
Just replace exhaust. More sound but from a better perspective
 

H

HGFlynn

New Member
#17
Messages
3
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Allen Park Michigan
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#17
jrgoffin said:
I put three clamps on each of my flex sections to keep the chicken-wire from rattling. Has worked fine and cost next to nothing. If they ever get worse, the flex pipes with the mesh are another inexpensive option.
Click to expand...
I have the same issue with my 2022. I put 1 clamp in the middle on each flex section, I still have the issue. Should I do 3, and did u space them evenly or just randomly on the flex sections. Also did u torque them to 2.7nM or just hand tighten them?
 

OP
B

Blivit

Member
Thread Starter #18
Messages
86
Reactions
35
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
20 Platinum
Thread Starter #18
HGFlynn said:
I have the same issue with my 2022. I put 1 clamp in the middle on each flex section, I still have the issue. Should I do 3, and did u space them evenly or just randomly on the flex sections. Also did u torque them to 2.7nM or just hand tighten them?
Click to expand...
Based on that post, I too put 3 clamps on each flex. In my case, I didn't torque anything and spaced them evenly. This didn't do anything for me, they both still rattle.
 

jrgoffin

jrgoffin

Member
#19
Messages
349
Reactions
288
Points
67
Location
The midwest
#19
HGFlynn said:
I have the same issue with my 2022. I put 1 clamp in the middle on each flex section, I still have the issue. Should I do 3, and did u space them evenly or just randomly on the flex sections. Also did u torque them to 2.7nM or just hand tighten them?
Click to expand...
They are hose clamps - just snug them down. The three seem okay on mine, but in the end, nothing will completely stop the chicken wire from rattling a bit except removal of it altogether.
 

agonzales62451

agonzales62451

New Member
Active Duty U.S. Army
#20
Messages
20
Reactions
12
Points
2
Location
US
#20
TSB did not fix my rattle issue and was made worse with Borla exhaust. My wife did me a solid and let me take care of with a set of thermal midpipes... and 3" thermal catback from Lethal Performance. I could not be happier with the sound, look and performance.

PSA, I am having a aftermarket flex welded onto my stock flex pipes and selling them with the Borla Type S Catback in a few days for may $600 shipped $700ish. If anyone is interested PM before I add them to the classified.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top