2004 Ford Explorer Stiff Accelerator and AWD

JCLINGAN

MEMBER
2004 FORD EXPLORER
V8
AWD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

I just purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer with 110k miles. The accelerator is very hard to press at first, but once vehicle is in motion and vehicle is accelerating or mantaining speed, the accelerator works fine. So it is very difficult to accelerate smoothly. It wants to have "jack rabbit starts", lurching off the line, which would be fine if I was a hot rod. I am concerned because I do a lot of trailer towing and maneuvering, which will be more difficult with this stiff accelerator. Everytime you let off the accelerator you have to overcome the initial STIFF spot before you start to move. What can I do to correct this?
AWD- In short radius turns the front wheels are gripping (seems like the front differential isn't slipping to allow for smooth turns on dry pavement). Is this typical with AWD Ford Explorers? I have not experienced this in my other AWD SUVs. Is there a recommended service they would resolve this?
These two problems combined is reminiscent of driving an older fullsize 4x4 truck in LOW range on dry pavement. I would appreciate any of your ideas to correct these issue.

3 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

The hard manuevering is common for this all wheel drive unfortunately. The stiff pedal is from either a dirty throttle body, a stiff or sticking accelerator cable or if there was a engine vacuum leak this would cause the idle air control valve to fully close the throttle plate and the initial press of the accelerator would have to break that seal.