Suspension Torsion Bar Problems of Ford Explorer

Rear of vehicle emitted a thumping and popping sound. First thought that rear tire had blown or that rear end had malfunctioned. After regaining control of vehicle and pulling off to shoulder on three wheels and a rotor, determined that the driver's side rear wheel and tire had disappeared. All lugs and nuts were gone. Wheel had departed from vehicle and gone in an unknown direction. Rotor and caliper where still attached to vehicle. Policeman was later able to retrieve wheel and tire from some distance down the highway behind the vehicle. Rim was scored all the way around the circumference of the inside of the rim. I assume that the rim had dropped down onto either the lugs or rotor prior to finding its way out of the fender well. Blessed to be able to talk about this. Ford motor company, there are recurrent problems here. Had rear bearing replaced on same wheel approximately 16 months prior. Suggested repairs around $400. 00 to start for this incident. There may be greater damage and cost because the vehicle rested and dragged upon the rear suspension strut and torsion bar prior to get it stopped and pulled off of the pavement onto the grassy shoulder.

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Driver side front torsion bar broke/split, approximately at its half length position, while sitting in the driveway during the summer. Fix was to donate vehicle.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Explorer 🔎.

When the vehicle was parked, the torsion bar snapped.

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While traveling at 25 mph or less I hit a slight bump and heard a very load bang. The front left drivers side of the vehicle abruptly dropped, the vehicle swerved into the opposing lane and tend to roll. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic and I quickly stopped. The Ford dealer replaced the torsion bar and acknowledged that this was a very dangerous failure. However they refused to cover the repair cost. The repair cost me $171. 67. Due to their refusal to cover a significant safety issue and other media coverage of Explorer problems, I sold the vehicle this week.

Left front sway bar link snapped off at the top bolt. Vehicle started swaying back and forth heavily. At 60 mph.

I am associated with the u. S. Airforce, stationed at raf lakenheath, england. Within the past three weeks both left and right rods connecting the foward anti-sway brace to the frame have sheared off while driving. The effect of this was excessive bouncing and loss of smooth control of the stearing. Both incidents occurred at aproximately fifty miles an hour. My speed had to be reduced to aprox. Thirty miles an hour to maintain a reasonable control and stability. Part of the rods remained in the sway bar, until I removed them for replacement. The only damage that I observed to the rod was where the shear occurred.

Car has never driven properly. Dealer just discovered on third complaint (wheels lift off ground) that the torsion bar was installed on the wrong side during manufacturing. This mistake could have killed someone.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The sway bar linkage was entirely missing. At approximately 70 mph, the car started swaying back and forth progressively harder, until the brakes were apprlied. I installed the new parts to replace those missing and the car now drive prefectly normally. It felt like the car would roll over if allowed to continue the side-to-side oscillation.

Front torsion bar broke while consumer was driving at 20 mph, and almost lost control of the vehicle. Failure not related to road conditions.

I noticed bouncing of the vehicle when traveling over dips in the road. I would imagine this problem is very wide spread but is not noticeable to many people because the of the "firmness" of the other parts of the suspension. Such as the torsion bars. I had front shocks replaced after pressuring the ditschman Ford(flemington, NJ) dealership pretty hard. I noticed the difference immediately. The problem seemed to reappear again after only 4,000 additional miles. The same problem seems to be true of the rear shocks also. This problem results in bouncing and diving of the nose of the vehicle during hard braking. I would imagine in emergency(severe)handling the vehicle would not perform as expected. I am now considering an aftermarket set of shocks.

Vehicle experienced sway bar / bushing failure.

The sway bar broke, which caused a noise.

Vehicle leans to the left, vehicle taken to dealership, adjustment to torsion bar made, did not appear to correct problem, vehicle taken back to dealership, owner was told bar or underlying springs need to be replaced. Cj.

Consumer received recall letter concerning the front swaybar links, but had problems with dealership concerning the actual implementation of service, consumer was informed that the parts were not available as of yet and to return a later time.

Front torsion bar separated, causing vehicle to sway from side to side . Dealer has repaired vehicle.

Front sway bar broke, could puncture tire. Manufacturer will be notified. Please provide further information.

Alldata. Com and other sites show a safety recall for this vehicle year/model for the front sway bar. However, upon numerous requests to the service dept. At said dealer, they say it doesn't affect our particular vehicle. But, our vehicle's sway bar has been making a popping/squeeking noise almost since it was purchased. We want Ford to cover the replacement, before a serious accident occurs.