nice

well its about time for new steering linkage parts. recently put new tires on the lincoln. there had been a little bit of play in the steering for a good while now, so after i had put fresh white walls on the towncar i had done an inspection on the steering linkage. only thing that looked bad was the outer tie rod ends. ball joints looked good along with everything else.

after i put new tie rod ends on it i took it in and got an alignment. there was still some play in the steering. the steering wheel would move about a 1/4 inch from either side before wheels turned. with some help from my dad moving the steering wheel for me, i inspected the linkage from under neath the car. everything appeared to be fine. (don't know the part name, i'll call it the steering shaft) well the steering shaft that goes from the wheel to what i beleive to be the steering gear box looks like 2 rods connected with a u joint, its almost like a miniature drive shaft. well the u joint is very loose.

i have decided to just replace the whole part. is this the entire steering column, or can i get this part on its own? also, the other day while going around a corner coming home from the store, my lower left ball joint broke. luckily nothing got damaged. i heard a loud pop and felt the car drop in the front left. i had first thought it was just a flat. so i got the spair out and all that, got the lugs broke and jacked up the car, after turning off the air ride of course. well i get the tire off and awwwwwwww shit theres my a-arm hanging down with the spring and everything just kinda hanging there loosely.

ended up having to have it towed back to the house. well since i don't want to just replace the broken ball joint for fear of the other one failing on me, or any other part of the steering linkage, i have decided to replace just about everything besides the a-arms. i already have new tie rod ends. the tie rods are good as well. i'm getting new shocks, pitman arm, upper and lower balljoints left and right, and idler arm, and either the steering shaft or just the u joint. am i forgetting anything here?

also, does anyone have the part numbers and propper names/description for these parts? its about time these parts were replaced as although they don't seem worn they probably are, and i'm willing to bet there all the original parts so they would have about a good 148,000 miles on them. i got really lucky tho, because if the tire would have moved any direction it would have been goodbye fender. i'm especially happy i didn't lose the fender

Hello Jason

Sounds like you had a close call and avoided some serious damage. I would think that all new ball joints would tale care of most problems. As far as the steering shaft there are several parts to it. Here is a picture of one I removed from a 93 model. I believe there is another u joint that joins the sections together that is not pictured. I just found the picture of the other u joint. Hopefully this helps.


http://www.cmasalvage.com/93tc_st_shaft.jpg (http://www.cmasalvage.com/93tc_st_shaft.jpg)

http://www.cmasalvage.com/93tc_st_column_ujoint.jpg (http://www.cmasalvage.com/93tc_st_column_ujoint.jpg)

Have you tried tighting up the gear box? I had play in my wheel and my mechanic tightend the gear box and that solved the problem.

Steve

junk yard doggie: thanks for the picture, very helpful, so thats about what that looks like. mines covered with surface rust lol. you wouldn't happen to have a part # for the knuckle or the shaft would ya? same parts from 90-97?
yea, im gonna throw some ball joints on it but just to not have anything to worry about and maybe improve handling and steering im just gonna go ahead and replace all that worn out shit. may have to look into the gear box issue you mentioned, although im about 98% positive that the play in the steering is due to the loose u joint in the steering shaft

Jason


The play could also be in that rag joint in the upper part of the shaft or the bearing as well. I have one of these shafts in a cars I'm scraping. It should be good, If not I should have another around.