all the problems, lol. when i bought my car i did some research on here about common problems and i think my car has them all. all the ball joints are shot so upper and lower control arms need replacing, air suspension was shot. i already replaced with coil springs, oil filter adapter plate was leaking, door ajar stays on, needs brakes, transmission has a shutter, and something in the rear end is rattling. probably needs all the wheel bearings replaced. but i found out this morning mine does have traction lock. so thats good. im not complaining. just thought it was funny. i know the car will be worth every penny and have alot of new parts when im done fixing everything. heck i only paid $500 for the car and body and interior are very nice, air works, no busted speakers, and cd changer still works. only thing i havent tried is the sunroof
i got it all.....
- Thread starter cf99gt
- Start date
mikemark8
Well-Known LVC Member
the rattling in the back is the top shock mount, common and annoying...do the trans service with mercon 5, including the torque converter, and while you have it apart, 1-2 accumulator, the worst part is the snap ring, but it is all worth it. After you get those fixed (brakes are a gimme on a used car), your $500 car will be worth...$255 (private joke!)-it'll be a nice car you can get to know and get it back to most of it's former glory-but, I am a firm believer in this, you need a beater for when the Mark is not right, or when it is (almost) down-they are getting too old to be daily drivers, too hard to get (some) parts-good luck, can't hardly go wrong for $500.
Staffamerica74
Dedicated LVC Member
pull the back seat, and the liner from there, the mounts need to be replaced. There are a few different options there then, you can get stock oem replacements, or burn the old bushing out and get t-bird shocks or cobra shocks.
mikemark8
Well-Known LVC Member
that's one lucky mark viii-you have a good DD, lots on here who use them as DD's and that has to be challenging sometimes...I have a 96 too, lots of unique parts on them, like the IMRC's are weird and not necessarily easy to get I hear, (Knock on wood)-wait till the IAC has you standing on the brake in drive at a light because it is 'idling' at 1500 in drive...that's fun, too, especially when you think you might have to change it. We all could go on, but for what you have into it, you are way ahead (so far).
kustomizingkid
Dedicated LVC Member
No... but why wouldn't you when the Monroe's for the Thunderbird are like $15 a piece.
87TTOPGT420
Dedicated LVC Member
i picked my mark VIII for $500 and i have similar problems...not quite as many, but my car needs attention to body the most...but still will be well worth when all said and done
chicken
SHEOOOOOOOOT
looks like everything was covered except:
oil filter adapter was or is? not a bad job just a mess, take off the oil filter and theres 4 bolts. get a couple 1/4 drive extensions a swivel and get the top 2 or 3 through the sway bar opening in the k member. just be prepared to do an oil change, completely refill the cooling system (check to see if the crossover cap can be opened before starting anything!) and take a shower. my radiator was drained and oil pan was off when i did mine and it still puked out about a gallon of coolant, maybe more.
as for the door ajar, spray the everliving hell out of the latch with pb blaster, wd-40, whatever and slam it very hard quite a few times, if the light goes out you will eventually need a switch, although many have survived on this method for years.