Explorer 4WD V6-4.0L VIN E (1999)
Alignment: Customer Interest
Steering - Drift/Pull to the Right
Article No.
99-9-8
05/17/99
STEERING - DRIFT/PULL TO THE RIGHT - VEHICLES
BUILT FROM 1/1/1998 THROUGH 1/31/1999
LIGHT TRUCK:
1998-1999 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER
ISSUE
Some vehicles may drift/pull right. This may be caused by tire pressure, alignment, and/or a mis-grind on the tire tread surface.
ACTION
Set tire pressure to specification, check/set wheel alignment, and rotate front tires left to right. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.
Confirm that the vehicle has Firestone(R) P235/75R15 Wilderness A/T ROWL tires.
2.
Set all four (4) tires to 179 kPa (26 psi).
3.
Road test vehicle after setting tire pressure to confirm the drift/pull to the right concern. This ride test is best performed on a straight smooth
stretch of highway or interstate, at 88 to 105 km/h (55 to 65 mph), with little or no wind.
4.
If the vehicle drift/pull condition has been confirmed, then perform a 4-wheel alignment on the vehicle. Make sure the ride height is first checked
and set at the 101 +/- 11 mm (4 +/- 0.4") service specification. Record before and after ride height values.
5.
Check and set toe, camber, and camber split to nominal specifications. Record before and after values.
6.
Check and set caster to nominal specification, but set caster split (LH minus RH) to -0.9 +/- 0.5 degrees. If the vehicle is an All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) model or is driven predominately in Florida, set the caster split to -1.2 +/- 0.5 degrees. Record before and after values.
7.
Rotate front tires left to right to cancel out any drifts/pulls caused by tire conicity.
8.
Road test vehicle again to confirm the drift/pull concern has been corrected by the alignment and tire rotation.
9.
If the vehicle still exhibits a pull right concern, then:
a.
Confirm that the first two digits of the tire Department of Transportation (DOT) code (example DOT VDxx 1PY xxx) are "VD" (Decatur),
and that the last three digits are between 028 and 508. This code is on the inside sidewall of the tire near the wheel rim flange.
b.
Contact Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. at (800) 367-3872 toll-free, to locate the nearest Firestone Tire Service Center (FTSC). Mention that
this is a 1998/99 Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer that needs a new set of tires on the "1998/99 Ford Explorer Drift/Pull Program."
Contact the nearest FTSC Store to arrange an appointment.
NOTE
THE FORD/MERCURY DEALER SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE FTSC STORE, NOT THE CUSTOMER.
The FTSC Store will require the dealership to provide documentation showing:
^
The drift/pull condition had been confirmed by the Ford dealership through a ride evaluation.
^
Evidence that the alignment settings had been checked, and, if necessary, revised to specification.
^
Tire inflation pressures had been checked, and, if necessary, revised to 179 kPa (26 psi) front and rear.
^
The front tires had been rotated left to right.
^
The drift/pull problem was reconfirmed after all of the above Steps had been taken.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 98-17-15
