please help

[THANATOS]

I bought a Lincoln Mark VIII a couple of weeks or so ago. i have a couple problems.
First my stering hell is kind of stiff to turn. I checked the power sterring fluid and pump, both seem fine but the telescope function only works moving back and forward but not up anad down. i think it might be the steering colum causing poblems.
Second, sometimes my trans shifts hard in to 2 or 3 gear sometims, what can that be?
thanks in advance for any help

 

[mespock]

Tranny... first has the 1 2 Accumulator been changed?

Has the tranny fluid and filter been changed and tranny flushed? (Make sure to use Mercon V fluid not the recommended Mercon III).

 

[Frat-man-du]

As to the steering wheel not moving up and down this is a very common issue - If you gently lift up on the steering wheel and try the switch it should move up or down. Do not bang or yank, as there is a small plastic (nylon?) ball that holds this all together and if it breaks you are in deep poo.

If this works then the part that is defective is the Potentiometer $30 from Lincoln, but is has recently been discontinued. MAx might be able to locate one, but not sure.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

i have a 97 that has the same stiff steering problem. Havn't been able to find a fix. i FLUSHED THE POWER STEERING fluid and it still stays the same.

However when the cars on a pad of snow it turns with ease.

 

[slowmkviii]

the stiffnes could be the control valve actuator on the pump

 

[Lownslowlsc]

the stiffnes could be the control valve actuator on the pump

I still have yet to get off my ass n do that.

 

[slowmkviii]

I still have yet to get off my ass n do that.

Just incase you dont know. To get at it take the oil filter off and reach in that way. I think it is a 6mm bolt

 

[THANATOS]

How much does the control valve actuator on the pump cost to replace?
would that part come with a new pump?

 

[THANATOS]

As to the steering wheel not moving up and down this is a very common issue - If you gently lift up on the steering wheel and try the switch it should move up or down. Do not bang or yank, as there is a small plastic (nylon?) ball that holds this all together and if it breaks you are in deep poo.

If this works then the part that is defective is the Potentiometer $30 from Lincoln, but is has recently been discontinued. MAx might be able to locate one, but not sure.

thanks for the info, ill give that a try....
im glad i resited the urg to bang on it when it wouldnt move down

 

[THANATOS]

Tranny... first has the 1 2 Accumulator been changed?

Has the tranny fluid and filter been changed and tranny flushed? (Make sure to use Mercon V fluid not the recommended Mercon III).

about how much can i expect to pay to change the fluid along with the accumulator(s)?
would it better to just have the trans rebuilt? im pretty sure a rebuild would be somewhere around 1200...correct me if im wrong

 

[Roadboss]

Fluid costs about $6.00/Qt times 14 Qts which would also cover draining the torque convertor. The new accumulators and springs would be about $50. more plus about $25.00 for a new filter and gasket (the filter should have a good rubber re-usable gasket in it if it doesn't get a different one) Also you are going to need the valve body gaskets which are not too costly (I forget how much). At a professional shop it should be about an hours work with lift and all. On your back it takes a little longer, but it's an easy job. OH- one other thing is if you do it yourself make sure you get a good set of snap ring pliers with long points.