-
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!
Recall Rear Bolt Fracture?
- Thread starter SeaRay
- Start date
Basically, Ford wants to save $.
As a manufacturer they tried to cut costs and pass on risks to consumers.
The 2.3L was spec'ed to only 'need' 1 Rear diff plate bolt, while the 3.0L was spec'ed to have 2.
This is flawed logic as the "1-bolt" rear diff setup was asymmetrical which means there is mechanical advantage, or "leverage" pressure being applied to that bolt at all times.
Some of us are tuning or pulling heavy tow loads, which puts enough pressure on that bolt to shear.
Although the front of the diff always has 2 bolts and stays connected, the rear bolts not only take a lot of the twisting forces, but keeps the diff properly aligned with the half-shafts. After the bolt shears the diff begins to sag, causing noise, vibration, and the possibility for the half-shafts to dislodge from the diff sockets.
It's dangerous AF and Ford should have never done something so cheap to a high performance vehicle. This honestly makes them look really bad.
EDIT: What should Ford have done? Have all the diffs be 4 bolts, be it 2.3L or 3.0L. If you have an SUV meant to tow, why would you not?
(How on God's green Earth do I have a Class IV tow package and 3 bolts?
)
As a manufacturer they tried to cut costs and pass on risks to consumers.
The 2.3L was spec'ed to only 'need' 1 Rear diff plate bolt, while the 3.0L was spec'ed to have 2.
This is flawed logic as the "1-bolt" rear diff setup was asymmetrical which means there is mechanical advantage, or "leverage" pressure being applied to that bolt at all times.
Some of us are tuning or pulling heavy tow loads, which puts enough pressure on that bolt to shear.
Although the front of the diff always has 2 bolts and stays connected, the rear bolts not only take a lot of the twisting forces, but keeps the diff properly aligned with the half-shafts. After the bolt shears the diff begins to sag, causing noise, vibration, and the possibility for the half-shafts to dislodge from the diff sockets.
It's dangerous AF and Ford should have never done something so cheap to a high performance vehicle. This honestly makes them look really bad.
EDIT: What should Ford have done? Have all the diffs be 4 bolts, be it 2.3L or 3.0L. If you have an SUV meant to tow, why would you not?
(How on God's green Earth do I have a Class IV tow package and 3 bolts?
)
Last edited:
Basically, Ford wants to save $.
As a manufacturer they tried to cut costs and pass on risks to consumers.
EDIT: What should Ford have done? Have all the diffs be 4 bolts, be it 2.3L or 3.0L. If you have an SUV meant to tow, why would you not?
(How on God's green Earth do I have a Class IV tow package and 3 bolts?)
As a manufacturer they tried to cut costs and pass on risks to consumers.
EDIT: What should Ford have done? Have all the diffs be 4 bolts, be it 2.3L or 3.0L. If you have an SUV meant to tow, why would you not?
(How on God's green Earth do I have a Class IV tow package and 3 bolts?
)
My dealer said the same thing, however I told them there is definitely something going on back there. If I reverse then hit the brakes with medium to hard force there is a chance for a clunk that I can't track down. I still get the recall notices via mail and such. I guess they want me to wait until something breaks. It's a 2021 with only 18k miles on it.
It's scary you said that cause I swear my shifts feel funny to like sometimes it's hard or feels 'confused' about if it should shift or not... sometimes shifting up, down, back up all in a very short time. That's even when it's not under heavy load, just casually driving to town in eco mode or normal.
Explorer ST Posts
-
-
-
-
-
2025 Headliner Exposed at Drivers Door- Latest: 23 Explorer ST
-
-
-
