Two problems related to steering gear box have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Steering wheel started shaking slightly at low speed on 5/23/01. I entered a freeway and just as I was approaching 70 mph, the entire vehicle started shaking violently to the point I nearly lost control. Started to pull off road, but shaking abated. Took veh to dealer & after road test & insp. Was told that air bubbles had formed in the steering sys. , that certain Explorers were known to develop this defect after varying mileages, and that Ford says this problem is a "no fix" and nothing can be done about it. Dealer also sd that they had replaced entire rack & pinion systems on Explorers still under warranty, but it had no effect on shaking. Heard this a. M. That firestone is accusing Ford of covering up steering defects that contrib. To Explorers rolling; it rang a bell & thought you folks should know about my experience. . . Will make my veh. Avail. For insp. , should you folks or mfr. Want to.
I think that you explore the steering on the Ford explore. It is mich to quick for the adverage driver. This is the reason there is so many roolovers/wrecks when a tire fails. I was driving when the tire failed on my Explorer. I have built and drove race cars for years, have been to nascar drivers school (twice), and I believe this helped me control my truck when the tire failed. The every day driver would have reacted when the tire failed, the quick steering would have over reacted and the driver can not catch up with the reaction, thus a wreck. Ford should replace the steering boxes on all Explorer,s with a slower steering box.