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http://www.edmunds.com/newtrucks/2001/ford/explorersporttrac/base2wd.html
and the 4WD vehicle:
http://www.edmunds.com/newtrucks/2001/ford/explorersporttrac/base4wd.html
I am now seriously considering an ST after first thinking I wanted just the regular 2-dr 2001 Sport.
A while back, someone posted a problem with their ST concerning a slight "shimmy" in the front end when they started to make a turn in the vehicle. They said they took it back to the dealer and was told, IIRC, that it was "normal" for it to do that. I thought at the time that the dealer's answer was BS, but, I never saw (or remember) the posted solution to this problem.
Could the owner of this ST (or anyone else having this problem) elaborate on what the deal is here.
FYI, I just test drove an ST two days ago and believe it or not, IT had the same problem. It was slight, but definitely noticeable. I only noticed it shimmying one time (while _I_ was driving it) and that was when I first got into the ST and made my first turn out of the parking space. During the rest of the test drive I didn't notice it UNTIL we had arrived back at the dealership.
I got out of the ST and let the salesman back it into its parking space. As he was making a slight turn into the space, I actually saw the front left tire vibrate for a couple of seconds. I mentioned this to him and he just shrugged it off by saying he didn't notice any shimmying, yet HE was driving it!
From my experience, it seems to only happen if you're driving super slow (like 1 - 2 mph) while making a turn. It seemed also, to only happen during the VERY FIRST part of the turn. Through the rest of the turn, as you're completing it --- it doesn't shimmy.
However, this is definitely NOT normal. Of the vehicles I've owned or driven, I have never experienced this problem.
Your comments, please.
Thanks.
Got a 2 day "Sun Job"; dealer kept it for 2 days parked in the sun -- did nothing!!
Told the Assistant Service Manager to test power steering boost control and alignment tow in and when the problems occur. She didn't listen or even appear to care.
William
Thank you all for all the info thats been posted ...Jeff
Hmmmm, could be, 400 RPM does sound quite low. You would think, though, with an idle prob. I would have seen the front part of the body shake when the salesman was backing the ST into its space. The body could have vibrated and I just missed it. But, all I saw was the tire vibrate which would sound like it's steering related. However, I'm certainly NOT the mechanic here, so your guess is probably •better• than mine.
Is anyone NOT having this shimmy problem?
Just curious because I think I've sold myself on the ST.....each day the urge gets stronger.
To goosemyster:
"a bell ringing"? That's REALLY odd because I've heard the same sound in my 1987 full-size Bronco. It comes and goes and right now I'm not hearing it. I thought it might be a seat spring of some type vibrating against another piece of metal. I'll let you know if I find out what it is.
As for the shimmy, I'm not so sure I'd call it that but we also noticed that while we're turning the vehicle (at slow speeds of course) into a parking space.
Also, what needs to be done, other than lowering the tailgate to remove it from the pivot point? Is it easy enough to remove, flip & reinstall for someone concerned with interference with a tonneau cover?
Thanks,
P.S. the TNS(Twisted Neck Syndrome)this vehicle causes other drivers is definitely fun to watch.
package.I need the L/S for the New England Winters but had to get the 4.10 axle.The 4x2 was
$2100 less did the 4x4.
I apologize for contradicting you dolphin66, you're a valued source, but I had no problem removing the cage with the tailgate up. As post 408 on the previous topic by fordsporttrac states
"..if they added small feet to the bottom of the cage (when its closed) right under the pivot points, it would be impossible to unsnap the cage with the tailgate close and locked."
These small feet are something an owner could come up with if they were concerned about theft of the cage.
For me, the Ford hard locking tonneau with the cage makes locking in the cargo cage less of an issue. The cage, in its forward position could be used in lieu of the SMC divider to segment the bed. The tonneau could be removed & strapped inside the bed when the cage is extended for unexpected use. I hope to test this tonneau storage theory in realtime within the month.
In any case, a minor addition to the cage would solve theft concerns when the tonneau is off.
I also took a look at the Nissan cage today which had the same issue & more. As has been mentioned in previous posts, it uses a strap system to hold it down, its thinner & can't match the ST cage's stainless steel quality look.
PS Today, the Nissan's bed had 4" of stagnant water in the front since it was parked on a hill. It reminded me of the 6" block of ice that banged around in the one I test drove in Jan. The ST's composite beds had no water in them thanks to the drain holes Ford provided.
kind of deal did you get and what options?
And BTW,
The cage when folded-in passes the mid point of the bed. This means that the cargo divider CANNOT be installed with the cage. I can see the cage flips beyond the mounting holes for the divider!
I have the Tonneau cover on order and I have BIG concerns that the cargo cage cannot be opened with the Tonneau installed. Previous posts indicate the cage "MIGHT" (no one knows for sure yet) hit the hinged center. Which means a big pain to open the cage with the Tonneau.
So Ford,
"What we have here is a failure to communicate!"
One engineer working on a cover one working on a cage.
And BTW,
There was a engineer who was very helpful called jimsteele who claimed to work for the company who made the Tonneau cover. All of his posts have been deleted from the Edmunds site. (Including the Archives)
This is from the Edmunds agreement,
I acknowledge that Edmunds.com, Inc. does not control and does not have the power to edit the specific content of my messages or the messages posted by other Town Hall participants, though it reserves the right to remove or hide any message from the site and to terminate any participant's Town Hall account for any reason.
It just proves to me that the auto industry has complete control over Edmunds site. Edmunds just dropped a huge notch in the credibility department with me.
Anyway, just to let those who are interested know, I ordered mine on May 2, got Vin on May 14, and received a build date on May 24 for the week of June 5-12. I confirmed all of this through the 1-800 number for Ford Customer service, and they even let me know that it should be shipped to me by the end of the month. If all goes well, I will cruising the beaches in style come July 4th. Thanks to all for the info you post, it is really helpful.
At "idle" the power steering pump will pulse during a turn. If you increase power, even 100 rpms, the pulse goes away. I think the Idle is set just a bit too low on the ST's. I have never experienced anything but the power steering pulse during idle.
When going around a turn under power the limited slip kicks in. It took some time for me to get use to the limited slip. (I've never had it before.) At first it makes the ST feel a bit strange, almost like your loosing control. When you get use to the L/S you'll find that it is actually helping the ST stay in the direction you pointed it.
My biggest hate was driving on wet roads. The L/S makes a tremendous difference! The ST stays more in control and stays in the direction I point it. My old 4Runner (No L/S) would spin one tire and slip slightly sideways.
To the other people reporting Shimmy's. What is your ST? I have the 4x4, 4.10 w/Limited Slip. Does any of the above fit your issues?
Is the soft tonneau easy to install, or should I leave it to the pros?
Are there any strong feelings out there about snaps vs velcro on the tonneau?
Also, is the class III receiver easy to install, or should I leave that to the pros?
Thanks for your help.
Does anybody know why not??? I keep hearing there is a supplier problem with producing the Cages.
Any chance you have the Technical Service Buletin number?
We've kicked the tires on the mechanicals of the cage around and based on our findings, I don't see a practical conflict with the cage & a tonneau cover (Ford's hard or any soft).
If someone didn't want to remove the hard tonneau or unbutton a soft tonneau past the center to flip the cage out:
1)Lower the tailgate
2)Unclip the cage in its folded position
3)Pull the cage off the bed
4)Flip & clip the cage back in
It works, I did it yesterday.
I can't think of many applications where I would need the cage out & the hard tonneau could stay on anyway. Zach1000's post 175 & the pictures of the tonneau latches I've seen would suggest that removing & installing the tonneau is almost literally a snap (4 to be exact).
This process looks so easy, I'm sure we'll both wonder why we spent any time thinking about it. Can't wait to put my ST into action...
Ford does make a soft cover. It's in their Ford outfitters catalog. The part number is 99501A42.
Here is the description of the cover from the catalog:
"Our special frame mounts to the cargo tie-downs and the heavy duty black vinyl cover easily snaps to the frame. You can open the tailgate without unsnapping the cover. Cover is permanently attached to the bulkhead rail and convenient tie straps hold the rolled cover when not in use."
Jimz2,
Yes your method will work but...
my complaint is, if the whole system was designed properly I would simply flip open the back half of the cover and flip out the cage. That would give a good 3.5 feet of open space to put stuff taller than the cover without removing/shifting the 70lb Tonneau cover.
We also discussed putting feet on the bottom of the cage to prevent theft when the cover is not installed. If I add feet to prevent theft of the cage, I cannot remove the cage when its flipped in and, I can not flip the cage out until I remove the cover. Its just a big hassle. It looks like its just a matter of inches to correct all the problems.
And why not have 2 or 3 positions for the cargo divider. Especially one that works with the cage installed. Its a few more holes in the bed and a plate behind the bed for side reinforcement, maybe $5-$10 worth of labor and materials.
I still love my ST but for 30K I would have expected more in the design.
I just noticed it today. I'm not sure why it started because we've had allot of rain in the last month. For the first time I got about a 1/4 pint of water from the head liners plastic edging, at the top, inside, of the drivers side, rear door. No stains or water marks on the head liner yet.
The water runs out of the seam in the plastic and drops right on top of the seat belt tension mechanism on the floor.
I'm very interested in the details on how they fix this. I remember reading a post that said they clamped the tubes shut. I'm sure the tubes were there for a reason!!!
If anyone has the details of the fix please post them.
My ST has been to the dealer 3... yes 3 times for a leaky roof. First they found the drain hose detatched from the sunroof. By the 3rd time, they held the truck for 3 days for testing. The fix, believe it or not, was to place SS hose clamps on the drain hoses leading from the sunroof. Sounds like a major problem with close tolerance of parts, but it did fix the problem. I am in South Jersey and we have had some wicked rain storms lately, with no leaks.
In ref. to one of your previous posts, I do have a slight "shimmy" at low idle and turning the wheel hard.
I am also having some problems with the drivers seat. It squeaks like an old lawn chair. THe dealer ordered a new seat track for me, but I need to get the truck there for a day.
Thanks for all of the great info I gathered from this site. My dealer hates you all!
I bought the soft tonneau cover and installed at home in 20 minutes. You can unsnap and roll the cover, tie it down when carry bulking objects. It looks good, and set me back $199.00 plus tax.