twinbopilot
Well-Known LVC Member
Does the front end on your Mark VIII squeak when you drive, or when you push down on the fenders? You may want to think twice before you drive that car any distance or on the highway.
I picked up a 1996 Mark VIII LSC from a friend yesterday. Within 4 miles of leaving, BAM - Its as if the car just hit a massive pothole! But wait, I don't recall seeing a pothole??? I got out and look backward for the invisible pothole. Unable to find it, I turned back towards the LSC only to see the driver front wheel at a crazy 45 degree angle, loose from the suspension!
My first thought is how fortunate we were to have been going 25 mph when this happened and not 85 mph!!! This was a complete ball joint failure, and folks, it ain't pretty when it happens. It can happen anytime, anywhere, and when a front wheel comes flying off at highway speeds, I promise your day is not going to be a good one.
The main tell-tale sign before the incident was loud and clear squeaking coming from the front end on the left side. I could push the left fender down and the car would squeak, and it squeaked on the road. But I also noticed a "clunky-ness" for lack of a better term in the steering when turning the wheel during parking, especially at the extremes. In hindsight, this was the ball joint shifting in its socket.
The serious consequences of ball joint failure should be considered before you get back on the freeway with your Mark VIII if it exhibits any of these symptoms.
Learn how to fix it yourself (there's great resources here) or pay to have it done, but don't risk you and your car "having a very bad day" when a front wheel comes flying off!
This has been a public service announcement.
PS: If it happens to you, AND you survive the results, make sure a flatbed tow truck is called. A traditional tow truck picks up the front wheels, and with only one wheel left to pick up, it can't move your car.
I picked up a 1996 Mark VIII LSC from a friend yesterday. Within 4 miles of leaving, BAM - Its as if the car just hit a massive pothole! But wait, I don't recall seeing a pothole??? I got out and look backward for the invisible pothole. Unable to find it, I turned back towards the LSC only to see the driver front wheel at a crazy 45 degree angle, loose from the suspension!
My first thought is how fortunate we were to have been going 25 mph when this happened and not 85 mph!!! This was a complete ball joint failure, and folks, it ain't pretty when it happens. It can happen anytime, anywhere, and when a front wheel comes flying off at highway speeds, I promise your day is not going to be a good one.
The main tell-tale sign before the incident was loud and clear squeaking coming from the front end on the left side. I could push the left fender down and the car would squeak, and it squeaked on the road. But I also noticed a "clunky-ness" for lack of a better term in the steering when turning the wheel during parking, especially at the extremes. In hindsight, this was the ball joint shifting in its socket.
The serious consequences of ball joint failure should be considered before you get back on the freeway with your Mark VIII if it exhibits any of these symptoms.
Learn how to fix it yourself (there's great resources here) or pay to have it done, but don't risk you and your car "having a very bad day" when a front wheel comes flying off!
This has been a public service announcement.
PS: If it happens to you, AND you survive the results, make sure a flatbed tow truck is called. A traditional tow truck picks up the front wheels, and with only one wheel left to pick up, it can't move your car.
