Anyones opinion on Thunderbird VS Mark VIII Lower control arm parts?
I have been told that we can use the Thunderbird lower control arm and that they are exactly the same, they just don't say Lincoln? Anyone done this?:confused: Oh how about the link in the front suspension?

You can use any of the front tbird suspension parts if you have coils, except the upper control arms because they don't have the ball stud for the height sensor.

You can weld the ball stud off your old Mark control arms if you want to buy the cheaper upper arms.

You can use any of the front tbird suspension parts if you have coils, except the upper control arms because they don't have the ball stud for the height sensor.

You can weld the ball stud off your old Mark control arms if you want to buy the cheaper upper arms.

No, I am only looking at the lower control arms. Are the Thunderbird the exact same as the Lincoln in size and weight? Structurally the same as the Lincoln?

Did I not just say that you can use any of the Tbrid front suspension parts on your Lincoln???

There has been some debate to whether or not the Tbord lower control arm and Mark unit are identical, but many people have used them with zero problems.

Did I not just say that you can use any of the Tbrid front suspension parts on your Lincoln???

There has been some debate to whether or not the Tbord lower control arm and Mark unit are identical, but many people have used them with zero problems.

Yes and you also said "You can use any of the front tbird suspension parts if you have coils"
I have air suspension not coils. Unless you are referring to coils and the air shocks as the same?

I see where the confusion lies... my bad

If you have air you can use anything except the upper control arms...

I see where the confusion lies... my bad

If you have air you can use anything except the upper control arms...

Thanks for clearing that up. :)

Biggest difference is the price.

Biggest difference is the price.

Yes I know that, just wanted to be sure I wouldn't be subjecting my car to a front end collapse because of a weaker part being substituted.

As long as you go TRW or MOOG (which will be TRW stamped) you are fine. Anything else and they may bend, rust, etc.

I have a lowered car with heavy wheels. I replaced mine with TRW a while ago and no problems yet.

Just do NOT go with anything other than TRW/MOOG.

they are indenticle in evey way except price. i have rebuilt many front suspensions on mark VIII's for myself and customers and i always get trw t-bird lower arms side by side there is no difference, same weight, same part, same company and be prepared for a shock when you price the sway bar end links, they are only about 20 bucks cheaper than the whole lower control arm. i dont understand who came up with the price but 40 bucks each for a little rod is retarded. advance auto usually has the lower control arms in stock and they are cheapest around my part, i always get them there.

If you compare the bushings, they appear to be a little different, structurally the arms are cast from the same mold. I used the Mark VIII LCA's on my 97. But when I rebuild the front end on my 96, I'll probably use all thunderbird parts except for the uppers, just in case I decide to put the air ride back in.

I have the t bird lowers on my car. And I second Jaime on advance auto having them at a good price.

they are indenticle in evey way except price. i have rebuilt many front suspensions on mark VIII's for myself and customers and i always get trw t-bird lower arms side by side there is no difference, same weight, same part, same company and be prepared for a shock when you price the sway bar end links, they are only about 20 bucks cheaper than the whole lower control arm. i dont understand who came up with the price but 40 bucks each for a little rod is retarded. advance auto usually has the lower control arms in stock and they are cheapest around my part, i always get them there.


exactly...

lca for Mark at advance: 150 and they had to order it
lca for Thunderbird at advance: 50 bucks in stock!

the whole front end on my car is " '97 T-Bird "............. its the same stuff

Thanks for all the reply and advice.
I also see them on Rock Auto, so it is a matter of postage VS sales tax or total overall price. I have an Advance near me as well as O'Reilly and Auto Zone. NAPA never seems to have a good price. There is hardly anyone in their parking lot, so I don't know how they stay open?:)