Two problems related to transmission noise have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine has been sounding different since throttle recall oov422000 was done in December of 2001. While driving 75-80 mph there was a loud noise. Vehicle was taken to dealer who stated transmission needed to be replaced.
Brought vehichle into different Ford dealer to complain of noise, was told that it was the air presssure valve and to wait till it got louder till they would fix, one week later transmission failed, they say it is a cracked drum and replaced entire transmission. . . Never had an air valve problem.