Hi Guys new to this forum and thread stuff but here goes. I have a 1997 Town Car, it set for the most part of the past 9 years. I Got it from and elderly lady at a good price. Looks good and runs good except it has this vibration that feels like you going over the wake up strips on the side of the road, some times its several 9ish and other times just a couple. It doesn't just happen at shift points it can do it from 20mph up to 85mph. When it does it you can see the hood vibrate, and if you floor it you don't seem to notice it. I have replaced the intake, and the right side ball joints. I have put over 20,000 miles on it ( about 108 miles a day) and it still does it!!! any Ideas out as to my problem??????????

Welcome it's good to see another dog join us here on the forum. You mentioned the car sat for many years. I was thinking flat spotted tires but after 20 thousand miles the flat spots should be gone. Have you tried getting the tires balanced? If they balance up good,that would put down any suspicion of out of round tires or bent wheels. I had a problem once with drive shaft u joints on an old T-bird, that caused one hell of a vibration.

I was thinking of a torque converter is on the fritz..

B

Well I know its not tires, they were put on new along with a new battery before I got it

Torque converter, hmm doesn't it lock up at highway speeds, Ive had it up to 85 to 90 mph and still felt it????????????

I have been doing a paper motor route with lots of turning backing and average speed of 27mph at 108 miles a day since before Christmas. There even short times that it doen't vibrate but few and far between.........

Ok OldDog..

Tell us how many miles on the car? If you're under say.. 70k miles.. you might have a chance to save it straight away..

I'm betting on 'shudder'.

Shudder won't ever show it's ugly face IF you follow the recommended transmission maintenance schedule. Your Town Car must have a complete fluid flush every 40/45k miles.

If you're too far up the mileage ladder and never had a flush, doing so now can (and has for many folks) completely ruin the transmission. Experience on this subject makes me draw the line around 70k miles.

Over 70k miles? Not sure if you've ever had a flush.. don't do it!! Instead, slowly replace the transmission fluid in intervals.. say every month or so, pull out a quart and replace it. You can get one of those $5 suction pumps from Harbor Freight and pull the fluid out (with a long hose) from the dipstick tube.

After several months when you're confident you're running clean fluid, then you can drop the pan and replace the filter.

Lastly, and in your case, the most important step.. get some Lubegard Red (http://lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html)and use it!! You'll need two bottles, their 10oz each. Pull out some of the old fluid, about a quart and a half. Add a fresh quart plus those two bottles of Lubegard (http://lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html).

Drive those around for a few miles and your shudder will get less and less, then gone completely.

If you're under 70k miles, get a complete fluid flush and filter change now, and also add the Lubegard (http://lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html) to finish it off.

Ford makes it's own version of trans. fluid friction modifier for your car, and the service bay TSB's require it's use.. but Lubegard (http://lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html) is the top choice of Town Car owners.

IMHO :)

Hi Steven!!!
I have always used Lucas Transmission Additive with out any problems. I never head of the Lube Gard though. From what you say it does a real good job huh... I might have to get some. Any ideas where I can get a few bottles in Florida?

B

Ok guys yes a shudder does sound right. the car had 64000 miles on it when I got it but it has about 82000 miles on it now. The shudder is still about the same. I will try these suggestions and report back...Thanks

Hi Steven!!!
I have always used Lucas Transmission Additive with out any problems. I never head of the Lube Gard though. From what you say it does a real good job huh... I might have to get some. Any ideas where I can get a few bottles in Florida?

B

I had to get mine delivered.. none of the local shops had any.

For me, I was scared to death and took the advice of you other Town Car folks. I've been trouble free ever since.. just like you said I would :)