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2023 Carbonized Grey ST

B

BikerTrash22

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#1
Picking up a new ST for the wife Tuesday. Unfortunately it has the 3 bolt sub frame, even with a January build date. We have looked at 8 23’s, all with the 3 bolt. Just going to pick up the AWR brace for now. Really excited for her, she has driven 4 different vans since 96. I think she might deserve something nice for once. Not going to be a track rig, she only drives around 13,000 per year. We might pull a 6X12 trailer with the bike on it occasionally to Florida. Any mods other than the brace should we consider? Thanks everyone for the reply’s!
 

Blue Beast

Blue Beast

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#2
BikerTrash22 said:
Picking up a new ST for the wife Tuesday. Unfortunately it has the 3 bolt sub frame, even with a January build date. We have looked at 8 23’s, all with the 3 bolt. Just going to pick up the AWR brace for now. Really excited for her, she has driven 4 different vans since 96. I think she might deserve something nice for once. Not going to be a track rig, she only drives around 13,000 per year. We might pull a 6X12 trailer with the bike on it occasionally to Florida. Any mods other than the brace should we consider? Thanks everyone for the reply’s!
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum.
 

K

Kjack

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#3
bosephbarking said:
You need to have the dealer submit a misbuilt vehicle report. There is a post in the warranty section that explains it. My dealer will be replacing my subframe here shortly for free because of it.
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Do you have info on what the procedure is to start the misbuild? Mine should be in within the week and all other STs have the 3 bolt. Thanks
 

T

Taxgod4u

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Just flew past you
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#4
What sub frame are we talking about? I have a Jan 23 build and would like to check this out. Pics?
 

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Kjack

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#5
Taxgod4u said:
What sub frame are we talking about? I have a Jan 23 build and would like to check this out. Pics?
Click to expand...
I don’t have pictures handy but they are all over the forum. Mine had a 3/28/23 build date, I’m assuming it’s going to have the single bolt. I’ve seen a few people mention submitting a misbuild report. I’m trying to figure that process out.
 

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Taxgod4u

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#6
My Jan 2023 3.0 has just the one bolt.
 

Cajun Heat

Cajun Heat

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#7
BikerTrash22 said:
Picking up a new ST for the wife Tuesday. Unfortunately it has the 3 bolt sub frame, even with a January build date. We have looked at 8 23’s, all with the 3 bolt. Just going to pick up the AWR brace for now. Really excited for her, she has driven 4 different vans since 96. I think she might deserve something nice for once. Not going to be a track rig, she only drives around 13,000 per year. We might pull a 6X12 trailer with the bike on it occasionally to Florida. Any mods other than the brace should we consider? Thanks everyone for the reply’s!
Click to expand...
Congratulations and welcome to the forum.
 

ChasBG

ChasBG

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#8
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2021 Carbonized Gray Explorer ST
#8
Cheers for the carbonized gray. It wasn't my first choice but its grown on me since I got it. Welcome.
 

Midlife

Midlife

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Ohio
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2023 Explorer ST
#9
bosephbarking said:
You need to have the dealer submit a misbuilt vehicle report. There is a post in the warranty section that explains it. My dealer will be replacing my subframe here shortly for free because of it.
Click to expand...
I'm a little late to this party, but I just purchased a new 23 carbonized grey ST with 3-bolt subframe. Emailed my sales manager about filing a misbuild claim and he said he'd get with the service manager and get back to me... hoping you could provide some guidance on this process. I'm anticipating them to hem and haw, so I'd like to be armed with as much knowledge as possible. Could you share your experiences getting your subframe replaced at no cost? Thanks!
 

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bosephbarking

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They will deny it man.
 

Chamorro85

Chamorro85

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#12
ChasBG said:
Cheers for the carbonized gray. It wasn't my first choice but its grown on me since I got it. Welcome.
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3rd on that, welcome to the forum!
 

W

WaferTech

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#13
I spent an Hour on the phone with my local dealerships parts room, they tracked down the correct rear sub frame and had a picture sent to them, they forwarded it to me. It was a 3 bolt subframe. I ordered an external brace.
 

Midlife

Midlife

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#14
WaferTech said:
I spent an Hour on the phone with my local dealerships parts room, they tracked down the correct rear sub frame and had a picture sent to them, they forwarded it to me. It was a 3 bolt subframe. I ordered an external brace.
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Thanks, man.

They're probably wise to it by now and have "officially" substituted the "official" part numbers to "officially" pretend that the wrong subframe is actually the right one. That way, no one has any recourse.

What brace did you go with?

Edit: Just saw your other post... are you happy with the Steeda brace? How was the install?
 

Last edited:
Midlife

Midlife

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It's just such illogical bullshit... if the 3-bolt subframe is the appropriate design for an ST... then what on earth was the 4-bolt subframe ever designed for?! The fact that ANY 3.0 Explorers ship with the 4-bolt design is proof in itself that ALL of them should have it.

But I will buy a brace, check the bolt periodically, get on with my life, and probably not buy from Ford again.
 

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WaferTech

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#16
Midlife said:
Thanks, man.

They're probably wise to it by now and have "officially" substituted the "official" part numbers to "officially" pretend that the wrong subframe is actually the right one. That way, no one has any recourse.

What brace did you go with?

Edit: Just saw your other post... are you happy with the Steeda brace? How was the install?
Click to expand...
Haven't installed it yet, got the front end on jack stands finishing up spring and front sway bar install. Had to order a torque wrench extender cause its so close to the ground can't get into some of the tight spaces. Need a mini lift like this one.

https://www.kwik-lift.com/products/kwik-lift/
 

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