Noise on acceleration 2nd and 3rd gear
Hi all. i posted this on another site. Sorry if you've seen this already. I just want to get as many thoughts on this before I spend anymore money. I'm not finding anything on my search. I have an '07 Explorer Eddie Bauer. I had a slow leak in one of my rear tires. Last week I took it off and put on the spare. While driving the tire to the tire shop I noticed there was a growling/shuttering type noise when I was accelerating through 2nd and 3rd gear. I can also feel it through the wheel and pedal. The noise would go away in 4th gear and also 3rd gear when not under load. I talked to the tire guy and he said it might have something to do with the fact the spare is a 17 inch tire and the 3 others are 18 inch. I ended up buying 2 new tires and put them on the rear. Now back to all 18 inch tires. I still have the noise. I've found this from a web site but haven't found an official Technical Bulletin:


Submitted by mws919 on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 18:02.
here's a bulletin look it over and let me know if you think it might apply.

TSB 05-21-4

10/31/05

SHUDDER IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR ON
ACCELERATION - 4X4 VEHICLES WITHOUT
ADVANCETRAC

FORD:
2002-2003 Explorer

ISSUE
Some 2002-2003 Explorer 4X4 vehicles without AdvanceTrac (Interactive Vehicle Dynamics - IVD) equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a shudder in 2nd and 3rd gear on acceleration. This condition may be more pronounced when the vehicle is under load.

ACTION
Replace the 4X4 control module following the procedure in Workshop Manual Section 308-07A. Refer to the Part Application Table for the correct part number to install.

Parts Block

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

052104A 2002-2003 Explorer 4X4: 0.7 Hr.
Replace The 4X4 Control
Module Includes Time For
Road Test To Verify
Concern (Do Not Use With
7453D, 7453D1)

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
7E453 42

FORD:
1997-2008 Expedition, Explorer
2006-2008 F-150
2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac
2008 F-150

LINCOLN:
1998-2008 Navigator
2003-2005 Aviator

MERCURY:
2005 Mountaineer
2006-2008 Mountaineer

ISSUE
Various 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with either 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive and equipped with control trac may exhibit a shudder on acceleration/deceleration, binding in slow speed turns or noise from the front driveline and/or transfer case. The shudder/binding will occur with the vehicle being operated in the awd/auto 4x4 mode. The shudder/binding may be due to incorrect tire circumference or improper tire inflation pressures.

ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTE THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO 2006-2008 MOUNTAINEER WITH A 4.0L ENGINE OR 2007-2008 EXPLORER AND SPORT TRAC WITH 20 INCH WHEELS.

NOTE VEHICLES ON THE LIST MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF TIRE/S IF THE TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE AVERAGE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES ARE OUTSIDE OF THE 1/2 INCH SPECIFICATION OR IF THE TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON EITHER AXLE EXCEEDS 1/2 INCH DIFFERENCE, THE SMALLER TIRE(S) MUST BE REPLACED.

NOTE REVIEW THE WARRANTY AND POLICY MANUAL FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY TIRE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY BEFORE PERFORMING THE SERVICE PROCEDURE.


I measured to circumferences of the front and back tires and came up with just about a 3/4 in difference between the to due to more tread on the new tire. All of my pressures are good and the first part of this bulletin was from 2004, 3 years before mine.

Now finally for my question. Has anyone experience this growling/shuttering noise upon replacing just 2 tires? I don't want to spend another $400 on 2 more tires if they don't need replacing yet. Is there anything else I should be looking at. I also had a front wheel bearing replaced a few weeks ago and it is not the same noise.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post
Rich