From: ssridhar@pase60.Convergent.Com (Srinivasan Sridhar)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Ford Explorer Vibration Help Needed
Date: 14 Dec 92 19:10:31 GMT
Reply-To: ssridhar@pase60.UUCP (Srinivasan Sridhar)
Organization: Unisys Network Computing Group (CT), San Jose, CA

In article <1g8h9oINN4u1@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu> mrbill@ecst.csuchico.edu (Bill Allen) writes:
>In article <51300047@hpscit.sc.hp.com> ck@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Chris Kiessling) writes:
>>
>>Attention Ford Explorer owners:
>>
>>I have a 1992 Ford Explorer.  When I go about 35 miles per hour, something
>>vibrates VERY loudly.  Going any faster or slower stops the noise.
>>
>>The vibration sound is coming from the roof area.  I think it may be
>>realted to the roof rack, but that's just a hunch.  If I put my hand on
>>the roof, I can feel it vibrating.
>>
>>I'm wondering if anyone else has a problem like this.
>>
>>Please let me know if you do and if you've gotten this fixed.
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Chris ("ck") Kiessling
>>CAD Software Development Engineer
>>(408) 553-2905                     Hewlett-Packard Company
>>(408) 249-6225 [FAX]               Integrated Circuit Business Division
>>ck@dtc.hp.com                      Santa Clara, California 95052
>
>I too have experienced the same vibrations.  It seemed to appear when the cold
>weather set in and does not happen if the weather is warm.  I placed the sound
>of the vibration in the right rear of the car.  I also would like to know what
>other owners have found out about this and what "cure" is available.  I do plan
>to take my Explorer to the dealer to see if anything can be done about it.  BTW
>it is a 1992 XLT model.  I have checked the roof rack bars and all is secure
>there.
>
>Bill Allen                            email: mrbill@cscihp.ecst.csuchico.edu
>Institutional Research                       ballen@oavax.csuchico.edu
>California State University, Chico

Me too.  A few things that mine does:

1.  Only at 35-42 mph.

2.  Mostly on uphill roads.  Most noticeable on mountain roads.
    Happens on Drive as well as in OverDrive.

3.  On lesser inclines, happens only on OverDrive. (35-42 might 
    be a tad low for OD but you can't be expected to change
    gears all the time).

4.  Left rear of vehicle.

Took it in to dealer.  He could not determine cause.  But I got it in 
writing from him that he found the problem but cannot fix it.  And as
suddenly as it appeared, it has disappeared.  And cannot be reproduced
now.  But it does not seem to be the roof-rack.  Looks like it is a
resonant vibration coming from the frame/body.

My 1992 XLT has:  aftermarket sunroof (pop-up kind), mag wheels.

Some other dissatisfying points about the vehicle:  The side mirrors
vibrate like hell.  The vibration has not stopped even after the
mirror was replaced (under warranty).  The dealer admitted to this
being a "design" problem.

And I do not like the cloth covering on the roof (under the roof ?)
Does not look like it will last.  I personally like the hard foam that 
some japanese imports have for roof interior.

--Sridhar

========================================================================
S Sridhar	 	DoD #0231		ssridhar@convergent.com
Open Systems Group, UNISYS NCG, San Jose, CA    (408) 456-5860
========================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.autos