Four problems related to axle assembly have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 10 mph on normal road conditions, the vehicle began to jerk excessively. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. He noticed that the rear driver's side axle was split in half. The failure occurred without warning. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
The consumer states that both front axles failed in the same way: the rubber sleeve split allowing grease to come out causing the moving metal parts to disintegrate. The consumer doesn't drive over rough terrain, although I would expect an all wheel drove to be able to do so w/out damage to the axles. The consumer's mechanic has replaced the axles on three Explorers in two months in an area with a small population seems more than coincidence.
Consumer had seen left front tire show initial separation. Consumer believed it was the axle.
After the car was broken on highway 20 west, :making a lot of noise [ sound like the flat , but lucky, the tires are good ] . The car lost control and stop near the exit , about 1 mile to the " millbury Ford dealer ". , l looked down under the car : seeing the axle which connected to the rear diffderential assembly by the "u join " was broken , it pull apart , and drop on the ground . Then call a tow-truck , and a policeman stopped by for guiding the traffic to avoid ,prevent accident . . Etc. . For safety .