98 ford explorer v8, all-wheel drive shudders and rumbles when it hits around 35 to 40 mph. I don't lose speed or rpm's and it doesn't do this every time. It sounds like the car is riding over rumble strips that are typically on highways. Whats wrong?
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98ford
ANSWERS: 9
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it sounds like a front end issue lift the front end of the truck put youre hands on 12 o clock on the tire and 6 o clock and try to shake the tire up and down if there is any free movement you got a ball joint issue these trucks are known for these problems if there is no movement p and down try side to side with repeating the same process except with youre hands on 3 oclock and 9 trying to shake it side to side once again if there is any free movement theres an issue with one of the steering compentents (ie tie rod ends stuff like that)
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It's in the transmission. I'd guess from what you've said it's when the car is shifting into the highest gear? 90's Ford transmissions were notorious for that. It may be just the torque converter, and if so you *may* not have to do a rebuild on the entire transmission if it hasn't gone on too long and fill the transmission with metal shavings. The tricky part is finding a shop honest enough to just sell you a torque converter and not the whole tranny if that's the only thing wrong.
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those fords are more tempermental than my wife and yeah i would have to agree with the torque converter if it only does it on shifts allthough i still wouldnt rule out a front end issue another thing i forgot to mention was that it also could be youre a arm bushings
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I also have a 1998 Explorer V-8 AWD that had the same "shudder," but it does not seem to happen when shifting gears. I have had transmissions fail on me before, and this noise is nothing like the harsh kick of a transmissions slipping and then going into gear. It also does not occur consistently, and can happen at 35-45 mph or 55-65 mph. It feels/sounds like it is happening somewhere between the middle and rear of the underside, not the front end. I seem to be able to minimize its occurence by babying it: I bring the car up to a higher speed more gradually than usual. The service advisor at my Ford dealer said it might be the torque converter, but from my experience he will say anything. Anyone have a good idea what this is, and what it should cost to repair? Would I be better off putting the money into a new car?
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try chabnging oil with a syntetic type 1st had same prob and this fixed it ,worth a shot cost about $300
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Coould be a tire out of balance, however a heavy shudder or vibration at around 35-40 mph is a known Explorer problem. It is very often one of the hubs that needs replacing. A front hub is approx $200 from your parts store or less than half that on ebay, ($60 to $90) many are sold on there. The same hub fits quite a number of years Explorer. Should be an easy and relatively cheap fix!
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Sounds a great deal like a transmission problem. Check that there is transmission fluid. You may need to have the transmission checked out by a pro but I would put money on it being that from what you are describing.
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was the rear end rebuilt recently? sounds like it wasn't adjusted properly, and the teeth are rumbling against eachother. is this just during acceleration?
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I've seen (felt, rather) this a bunch of times. It's the famous "torque converter Shudder" that's very common in those vehicles as well as the V8 Crown Vics and Grand Marquis'. Talk to three different reputable transmission shpos and go with the best deal. Good Luck!
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