• 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!


Rear end damage

Messages
377
Reactions
175
Points
37
Location
Socal
I’m not so sure it was a long-term change by Ford. It’s really odd that all the newer STs don’t have the 3-bolt setup. It looks to me like a temp solution to supply chain problems so Ford production line could get new cars out to dealers. I think it was a “local” decision made by a Field engineer, not a Design engineer. This is why the Ford Parts system shows 4-bolt setup for the STs, even those with 3-bolts.

I plan to cruise all the Ford/Lincoln dealers showing ST/Aviators in stock (within reasonable distance in my area) with a flashlight and knee pad to check them out for my theory.
As someone else stated, 2022 ST's are also arriving with the 3 bolt setup.

I would be curious on your case, IF your 4 bolt rear was to break. Would Ford swap it for another 3 bolt or 4 bolt? I mean, technically its still an "original" part and according to their systems, 4 bolt is the standard one.
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,493
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
One member here claimed their subframe was replaced by Ford with the 4 bolt model after the bolt sheared.
 

Messages
377
Reactions
175
Points
37
Location
Socal
One member here claimed their subframe was replaced by Ford with the 4 bolt model after the bolt sheared.
I believe two members did but thats not the norm as others were declined.
 

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
476
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
I believe two members did but thats not the norm as others were declined.
Do you know what they informed their dealer in regards to the matter?

Still waiting for ford to tweet me back lol
 

ghostfranklin

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
70
Reactions
32
Points
17
Location
Miami, FL, USA

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,675
Reactions
833
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
im going to see if the dealer will eat the part and ill take care of labor since im having local performance shop drop the rear exhaust, susp anyway
You know that will never happen.
 

ghostfranklin

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
70
Reactions
32
Points
17
Location
Miami, FL, USA
@Cdubya we'll see between the explorer and the bronco sport they got over 100k out of me. So if they wanna dick around over 1% of the total sales price that's on them, but that 5 star google review and survey will also go to one star. So is $1,500 worth ruining a relationship with a customer that just bought two vehicles, already sent referrals, and damaging your web presence? Maybe, maybe not. I'm taking delivery of the bronco sport saturday it'll be a real simple conversation, I'm looking for this and we're talking 1% of the sales price. I'm happy, your happy we move on. Or you don't make it right and now I'm unhappy, drag you online, and never refer or purchase from you again. Not looking to waste each other's time just want to know how to proceed.

Either way I'll keep you posted.

Oh btw Ford didn't want to be bothered so I tagged NHTSA and NHTSArecalls on twitter. Maybe it's white noise to them maybe they listen. I tried and shout out to everyone on this forum for sharing info thats what it's all about.
 

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,675
Reactions
833
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
Either way I'll keep you posted.
All I'm saying is they will never just give you the part. You are much better off saying the part is not supposed to be there but is for whatever reason--and get them to fully replace it. The Explorer 3.0L were designed with the 4 bolt subframe. If you've spent a lot of money and have a good relationship with the Ford dealer, hopefully they can accommodate you. Your chances are slim though, because Ford is not one to compensate warranty work without some sort of failure/problem. There are a few members in this thread that said they are working with their dealers to get it replaced with the 4 bolt but I haven't heard any updates. Either they weren't successful or maybe they were successful with the agreement not to talk about it. Only people with failures have had theirs replaced with the 4 bolt. I myself would like to see a recall on this but that's going to need more failures. My feeling is that they aren't even worried about whether you are tuned or not if it fails is because if you get lawyers involved, they can easily find that all 3.0L should have the 4 bolt.
 

Last edited:
Messages
73
Reactions
31
Points
17
Location
Philadelphia, PA, USA
All I'm saying is they will never just give you the part. You are much better off saying the part is not supposed to be there but is for whatever reason--and get them to fully replace it. The Explorer 3.0L were designed with the 4 bolt subframe. If you've spent a lot of money and have a good relationship with the Ford dealer, hopefully they can accommodate you. Your chances are slim though, because Ford is not one to compensate warranty work without some sort of failure/problem. There are a few members in this thread that said they are working with their dealers to get it replaced with the 4 bolt but I haven't heard any updates. Either they weren't successful or maybe they were successful with the agreement not to talk about it. Only people with failures have had theirs replaced with the 4 bolt. I myself would like to see a recall on this but that's going to need more failures. My feeling is that they aren't even worried about whether you are tuned or not if it fails is because if you get lawyers involved, they can easily find that all 3.0L should have the 4 bolt.
I'm making some progress tho to be fair I have spent almost a million dollars with ford since 2017.
 

ghostfranklin

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
70
Reactions
32
Points
17
Location
Miami, FL, USA
@Cdubya @2PAC any words of wisdom, or specific word tracks I should use to increase my chances if it's .00001%? I know they shouldn't be used on the 3.0L model, I can point to the aviator, the chances of failure during towing esp with auto start/stop or "spirited" driving. Hell my 2020 I traded in had a 4 bolt sub it may still be on the lot and I know they have two other 2020s on the lot assuming that they have sold yet.

Looking for any advice as I thought it would be more likely for them to just meet me in the middle for the part but @Cdubya pointed out that's actually less likely?
 

Messages
73
Reactions
31
Points
17
Location
Philadelphia, PA, USA
@Cdubya @2PAC any words of wisdom, or specific word tracks I should use to increase my chances if it's .00001%? I know they shouldn't be used on the 3.0L model, I can point to the aviator, the chances of failure during towing esp with auto start/stop or "spirited" driving. Hell my 2020 I traded in had a 4 bolt sub it may still be on the lot and I know they have two other 2020s on the lot assuming that they have sold yet.

Looking for any advice as I thought it would be more likely for them to just meet me in the middle for the part but @Cdubya pointed out that's actually less likely?
I would keep barking down the door, I'll report back with updates on my end, it also helps if you confirm and point out with the parts department what exactly is going on to get them sort of on your side. It's basically a dog fight and I'm assuming they want to keep it quiet so the more hell you raise the more likely they are to just fix it and be done with you. It is bs on Ford's part to do something like this, I would wager supply issues over saving a dollar, but wrong is wrong.
 

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,675
Reactions
833
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
You are best off contacting some of the members here that are working with their dealers. The hard part is convincing them to replace it even though it hasn't failed yet. For sure mention that you plan to tow. For sure mention you bought the ST so you can have spirited drives. You can mention yhat others have had theirs fail--although anecdotal reports are a weak argument. They can look up the VIN and see what part should have been there. Not sure what else other members are arguing. But for sure don't say you'll just take the part...that won't fly and they'll question that line of thinking. push to get it replaced. the more people complain, i think the better chance you'll have.

I personally wouldn't get a diffy stiffy unless my warranty were up. it may not be the ideal solution but probably would limit catastrophic failure.
 

ghostfranklin

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
70
Reactions
32
Points
17
Location
Miami, FL, USA
@2PAC & @Cdubya thanks fellas I really want to get it done before my mods because I can see that being a whole other mess. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend!
 

ghostfranklin

Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
70
Reactions
32
Points
17
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Went to the dealer and they are looking into it showed them a 2020 ST on the with 4 bolts vs the three. According to their parts manager who claims to have contacted Ford there was a design change mid 2021 to move from 4 to three bolts. They are going to work on me at personal level but yea shitty move by Ford at the enthusiast's expense. They are supposed to contact me Monday with more info.
 

Messages
171
Reactions
70
Points
27
Location
Belleville, IL, USA
Went to the dealer and they are looking into it showed them a 2020 ST on the with 4 bolts vs the three. According to their parts manager who claims to have contacted Ford there was a design change mid 2021 to move from 4 to three bolts. They are going to work on me at personal level but yea shitty move by Ford at the enthusiast's expense. They are supposed to contact me Monday with more info.
If Ford made the change, thats pretty much it. Until a TSB or Recall is issued. The dealer will likely not swap it out either, the cost is pretty substantial. Again if they swap for 1 person they have to swap for all.
 

Messages
196
Reactions
159
Points
37
Location
US
Went to the dealer and they are looking into it showed them a 2020 ST on the with 4 bolts vs the three. According to their parts manager who claims to have contacted Ford there was a design change mid 2021 to move from 4 to three bolts. They are going to work on me at personal level but yea shitty move by Ford at the enthusiast's expense. They are supposed to contact me Monday with more info.
But if Ford made the change, wouldn't you think that would be reflected on the build sheet? I would think the build sheet would then call for the 3 bolt subframe as opposed to still showing that it was supposed to be built with the 4 bolt subframe. Just a thought.
 

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
476
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
If Ford made the change, thats pretty much it. Until a TSB or Recall is issued. The dealer will likely not swap it out either, the cost is pretty substantial. Again if they swap for 1 person they have to swap for all.
I think there is already at least one person who had their dealer swap it out. I could be wrong but I thought that was the case.
 

Messages
171
Reactions
70
Points
27
Location
Belleville, IL, USA
But if Ford made the change, wouldn't you think that would be reflected on the build sheet? I would think the build sheet would then call for the 3 bolt subframe as opposed to still showing that it was supposed to be built with the 4 bolt subframe. Just a thought.
Members have contacted ford and dealers have contacted ford. They were all told this was basically intended. Not trying to be a downer about it , as I would prefer a 4 bolt as well. We are stuck with it until a TSB or recall. There honestly has only been 5 failures that I seen posted out of plenty explorers on the road…so at this point our chances are slim of TSB/recall.
 

Messages
171
Reactions
70
Points
27
Location
Belleville, IL, USA
I think there is already at least one person who had their dealer swap it out. I could be wrong but I thought that was the case.
Not sure how because If they did , find them and have them Upload the service order. Then we can all get it changed because if they changed for one this has to be done for all others.
 



Top