What Have You Done To Your Explorer ST Today

[Cajun Heat]

Today I added lethal lowering springs, wheels, and a thermalrd! I'm a happy customer. Thermal sounds amazing when you have to get on it. Otherwise not to loud at normal driving. Do most people drive their explorer ST hard? I only get on it when I feel the itch. Other than that I leave it in normal mode?

Our ST is my wifes primary driver so when I get to take it out it does get brisk exercise, in spurts. She drives it in normal mode all of the time.

 

[GoldBlooded]

Investigated the fuel funnel issue. There's something just inside the flap doodad that prevents a trans funnel going in... but whatever it is doesn't restrict the gun at the gas station... Odd, they're about the same diameter, but a plastic trans funnel only goes in about an inch. Poked it with a finger, it didn't move.. but apparently does when you gas up? WTF? I have a trans funnel that is shortened to about an inch below the collar & that fits just fine (but doesn't open the blocking plate doodad). I need to investigate further
I guess the blocking doodad is to stop someone sticking a hose in there to syphon your gas.

Edit: I have a Preciva flashlight that has a magnet on the end. That will go in & the blocking flap opens with that.... The plot thickens...

Investigated the fuel funnel issue. There's something just inside the flap doodad that prevents a trans funnel going in... but whatever it is doesn't restrict the gun at the gas station... Odd, they're about the same diameter, but a plastic trans funnel only goes in about an inch. Poked it with a finger, it didn't move.. but apparently does when you gas up? WTF? I have a trans funnel that is shortened to about an inch below the collar & that fits just fine (but doesn't open the blocking plate doodad). I need to investigate further
I guess the blocking doodad is to stop someone sticking a hose in there to syphon your gas.

Edit: I have a Preciva flashlight that has a magnet on the end. That will go in & the blocking flap opens with that.... The plot thickens...

Curious, were you able to find a way to syphon gas yourself? I'm trying to find a way to syphon gas from my tank just in case I need to syphon gas for my other vehicles in case of emergency. I tried the 1/4 syphon hose and that didn't work. Also, tried to look for the fuel hose to the tank with no luck. Saw a video of someone taking from fuel intake line on the engine using the fuel pump (bypassed) to pump fuel but I'm not to keen on going that route lol. Just looking for any other ideas. Thanks.

 

[BooSTedExplorer21]

S&B Filters intake installed today, I opted for the back-lit version

 

[Big Turk]

Finally tried to give Forscan a try last night, but it would not recognise my vehicle with the FP tune. So I detuned (if that is a word) and gave Forscan another try. Worked fine on the stock tune and disabled the hyperflash for the rear turn signals and double honk. It appears that secure idle has remained functional. Reinstalled the FP tune and still no auto parking brake. Cheers.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Swapped in an Escort M2 dash cam to replace my M1 and modified the mount I made to attach it to the Blendmount…now the camera is tucked up behind the mirror and completely out of sight.

 

[mwinn]

Greased the rear axle splines--no more metallic "tink" sound!

Hey Cdubya did you grease the shafts yourself or have it done. Having to replace one due to boot failure. Thinking of having shop grease the others while they have it in the air. Is it as simple as the video shows? I half assed tried once but the shaft did not slide back easily and I didn't want to bang on it.

 

[Cdubya]

Hey Cdubya did you grease the shafts yourself or have it done. Having to replace one due to boot failure. Thinking of having shop grease the others while they have it in the air. Is it as simple as the video shows? I half assed tried once but the shaft did not slide back easily and I didn't want to bang on it.

Are you under warranty? If so, you probably can let the dealer do it (unless they want to do something radical like swap axles or reshedule the fix for another visit). I did it myself: a simple job, like the video says, only the rears...about 30 minutes. In a nutshell, take off the wheels, loosen the axle nut (until almost off), push in the axle end in to get the most exposure to the spines on the inside of the knuckle, spread some gear grease to the splines, rotate the axle to get it 360 degrees. It really is no muss no fuss (with impact wrench) and sound is gone immediately. You will need an axle nut socket...I used 32mm and although it fit and did the job, it felt a little loose. I did not have a 31mm at the time to see if would be a better fit.

 

[BooSTedExplorer21]

Got the MRT hood struts on, after a few issues that MRT took care of for me. That being said if you have extra plastics under the hood there's a lot more trimming you have to do other than what's in their install video. This piece underlaps what they tell you to trim and it has to be modified as well for the hood to close.

 

[Chamorro85]

Finally got it ready for a little more power!

 

[Eljaber]

Discovered my driver side seat warmers do not work I tested all these features when we purchased my 2020 ST and it worked. But, this weekend is the first time we got into the low 40s and it doesn't warm up at all. Passenger works, now I just have to test the two in the back. I'm at 19k miles, but past the 36 months, so I will have to get it done through the extended warranty, which I believe should cover it. I'll inquire when I call about the backup camera recall.

 

[Chamorro85]

Discovered my driver side seat warmers do not work I tested all these features when we purchased my 2020 ST and it worked. But, this weekend is the first time we got into the low 40s and it doesn't warm up at all. Passenger works, now I just have to test the two in the back. I'm at 19k miles, but past the 36 months, so I will have to get it done through the extended warranty, which I believe should cover it. I'll inquire when I call about the backup camera recall.

Good luck with that...especially with the week ahead.

 

[MikeyP]

Replaced my driver's front axle. Worked from home today so I did this during lunch. I had this same axle replaced about 2 months ago due to the boot failing and grease going everywhere, as per usual. 2 weeks ago I noticed a little grease inside the wheel again and the tell-tale clicking while turning. I'm still within the powertrain warranty, but I'd rather do it myself. The axle was $130 shipped to my house. I also ordered a new axle nut. Easy job, get an impact wrench on the axle nut and strut nuts. Take off the brake line bolt then the strut bolts and let the spindle drop down. A tap with a hammer pushed the axle out of the spindle, maneuvered it out of the spindle assembly, then pulled a few times on the CV joint by the transfer case to pop it out. 45 minute job. Note: the jack stand in the picture is not actually supporting weight, it's a just-in-case while I was yanking the axle out of the transfer case.

I didn't take a picture, but it looked like the strap on the large outside section of the CV bolt was a little lose, as grease was coming out in just one area. And it wasn't the huge mess you normally see when these boots let go. Now we'll see how long this one lasts!

 

[GearHead_1]

Was the replacement an OE part? I ask simply because the EcoBoost Truck Forum has had many reported problems with aftermarket drive axles.

 

[MikeyP]

@GearHead_1 Yes it was an OE part. Factory one had the exploding boot, so it was replaced under warranty. The replacement started leaking and failing, so I had to replace the replacement. Again, OE part just went in.

As far as aftermarket, I only see one from GSP on RockAuto. A little cheaper than an OE part. If these go again, I might try that one.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Had the racing stripes done today. Came out great!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[-REDRUM-]

Just installed the Steeda subframe spacers… I think they are must haves! As previously mentioned it is much more planted and gives you better feel for the road. The hard shifts seem softer and the power gets to the ground much better. Launch was better with a huge bark of the tires when shifting in to 2nd and 3rd gears… used to get some chirps.

 

[MikeyP]

Just installed the Steeda subframe spacers… I think they are must haves! As previously mentioned it is much more planted and gives you better feel for the road. The hard shifts seem softer and the power gets to the ground much better. Launch was better with a huge bark of the tires when shifting in to 2nd and 3rd gears… used to get some chirps.

This is a must-do mod even at stock power levels!

 

[-REDRUM-]

Installed the Steeda Differential Brace... Stout piece and it looks pretty cool back there...

 

[Garda934]

Dura-Coated the tires and applied Avalon King Lite, winter is coming.

 

[Cdubya]

@GearHead_1 Yes it was an OE part. Factory one had the exploding boot, so it was replaced under warranty. The replacement started leaking and failing, so I had to replace the replacement. Again, OE part just went in.

I did the same thing --it's just easier to replace it yourself than to play the warranty game. I did notice that the replacement axle had a different boot design--one extra fold to the bellow. I am hoping it will last longer than the original which all seem to tear near the clamp on the shaft.