1996 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual - Page 363

Servicing Your Explorer Tire inspection and maintenance Inspect the tire treads, and remove stones, nails, glass or other objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may permit air to leak from the tire, and make the necessary repairs. Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If you suspect internal damage to the tire, have it demounted and checked. You may need to repair or replace it. Wheel inspection and maintenance Check for damage that would affect the runout of the wheels. Wobble or shimmy will eventually damage the wheel bearings. Front wheel bearings require periodic repacking and adjustment as specified in the Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet. Loose or worn front wheel bearings tend to let the vehicle wander or shimmy, and can eventually cause excessive tire wear. Whenever a wheel is removed and then re-installed, always remove any corrosion that may be present on the mounting surface of the wheel and/or the surface of the hub, drum or rotor that contacts the wheel. RWARNING Installing wheels without a good metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surface can cause the wheel lug nuts to loosen and could allow the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion. Traction-Lok Rear Axle (If equipped) This axle provides added drive away traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when one or more wheels are on a surface with poor traction. 363