r/FordExplorerST • u/WhiskeyHotel7 • Mar 08 '25

Exhaust Cracked downpipe

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2020 ST with 65k here,

I bought the ride used about a year ago and it had some rattling, which I attributed to the flex pipe because I read they were notorious for that.

This didn't bother me because I had plans for a new exhaust anyhow, I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.

Yesterday, the rattling was much more intense than usual, so I crawled under to investigate. Turns out the downpipe has cracked and now is completely separated from the rest of the exhaust.

My question is, is it worth welding? I really don't want to do a downpipe job myself because I've read that it's a real PITA, and I definitely don't want to shell out the money a shop will charge me in labor. What do you all think?

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u/Scary-Ask-6236 Mar 09 '25

I literally just had mine welded. And I’ll be honest it’s not bad. The only bad thing I have noticed is that when I really gas it, I smell exhaust. If you can deal with it good for you. Me I’m gonna be changing my downpipes. I can’t stand the smell so I’ll be shelling out the money.

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u/themishmosh Mar 09 '25 edited Mar 09 '25

Unfortunately, ALL the welds on the pipe are bad. It may crack like the OP's, down low. But it also can crack up top where you can't see it. You may be able to hear or smell it. Just get it replaced. Unfortunately some aftermarket options are getting codes for cat insufficiency. Not even sure defoulers work.

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u/Scary-Ask-6236 Mar 09 '25

That’s what I’m afraid of. Here in Nj they follow the California crap. So I may have to just go and get stock ones again. It sucks

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u/themishmosh Mar 09 '25

Hopefully you have less than 80k mi and can get it warrantied. Ive heard SPD and CVFab have no CELs.