LSC ball joint replace

[mdcluth]

I am almost ready to replace my chattering ball joints. Driver's side almost ready to come out on it's own.
How do you remove the air spring to get the swing arm off? I have done many ball joint changes, but never on a Lincoln.
Swing arm bushings look good yet. Replaced the sway bar end links and bushings. Replaced the outer tie rod ends also. No leaks at front air springs, and struts look OK yet.
Anything else I should be doing to tighten up this front end before I have it aligned?

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"Lincoln Moves Me"

[Lscman]

I am somewhat surprised your factory teflon-lined ball joints are worn so much. Mine are like new at 225K+ miles. The springs remove in 15 minutes, but it is not necessary to remove them or the A-arms. Simply press the old ball joint out with a C-Clamp ball joint removal/installer tool and press in a new aftermarket ball joint.

[mdcluth]

Thanks LSCMAN. I was hoping it would be that simple. The only explanation I have for the worn ball joints would be the contributing factors such as driver's side tie rod end being so worn that it almost came loose. Another was the driver's side sway bar end link bent and missing bushings. No grease anywhere! It's obviuos that former owners did not believe in normal maintenance on the front end.

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"Lincoln Moves Me"

[mdcluth]

Here's an update on the ball joints from Hell! Finally figured out how to get the old ball joints out using a press. Got the first new one pressed in place, and figured out that I needed to release the air pressure from the air spring by loosening the solenoid. This was because I couldn't get the control arm up to the ball joint knuckle to put the ball joint nut on.
After removing the brake rotor assembly, releasing the air from the air spring, removing the height sensor, I was finally able to line up the ball joint in the knuckle. Then I put the nut on to draw it into the knuckle, torque it and install the cotter pin, and I couldn't get it up high enough to put the pin in. So I compared the old ball joint to the other new one, and sure as sh__, the taper is different!!!
I called AUTOZONE, and they assured me that I had the right ones by their list, so he asked me to bring the old one in. I told him... "NO Problem. I'll be there"!
Anybody else ever run into this?

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"Lincoln Moves Me"

[Lscman]

Sorry to hear. Try another brand...I'd get the heck out of there with a refund. If it helps, the Mark VII ball joints are supposedly the same as a '87-'88 T-Bird Turbo Coupe. They "might" be the same as an SVO and '82-'83 steel springed Continental, since the spindles are the same. Try www.carparts.com (http://www.carparts.com) to research the part#'s and availability by brand.

[mdcluth]

Finally finished the front end yesterday! Got it in for front end alignment today. What an improvement! I thought it rode great before the front end work. NOw it just floats down the road!
I checked, cleaned and greased O-rings on both front air spring solenoids while I was in there, and found one broken O-ring. Also used soapy water to check all air line connections, and found several leakers at the top of the compressor dryer. Fixed those, now there isn't a single air bubble coming from anywhere! Things are looking up, like I might have a very dependable ride in no time!
It's easy to see why so many people might be intimidated by trying to maintain one of these MK VII's.

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"Lincoln Moves Me"

[Lscman]

Well, that's for sure. When my passenger door window motor went out and the passenger leather ripped to shreds, I knew I was getting my money's worth out of my car. $8000 for 8 years & 150K miles isn't bad for a Lincoln and it's still running good. How about those unbelieveable Mark VII carpets!!! They are made of iron compared to GM cars. My carpets see a vacuum once a year and with no floor mats they still show no wear anywhere.

[90LSCdrvr]

I'll tell ya. At least the did some things right with these cars. Ditto for my rugs. They still look great, and you would not beleive how well they "come up" after being shampoo'd.

Now if I only could erase the fact that I sat in the driver's seat one day with a Phillips head screwdriver sticking out of my back pocket, then I could erase that little hole I put in that seat.

[mdcluth]

You're right on the money with the carpets. My '86 looks like he__ from the outside right now, but the interior still looks great. You would swear you're sitting in a two year old car if you didn't know better. (This is of course understanding that you can't see the wear in the driver's seat while you're sitting in it).
My next major project is the outside. Going to Iowa tomorrow to pick up an '84 LSC with a great body, no engine or trans. I will salvage that one to make mine beautiful again.
Someday soon, I will be posting breath-taking pictures of a "cherry" white '86 LSC sitting in my driveway!

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"Lincoln Moves Me"

[Lscman]

I bought a new Capri once. A week later, a mechanic poked a hole in the seat with a screwdriver and dented the hood palming it shut rather than dropping it. I was unable to get them repaired under warranty without sueing them, so i lived with it. At least you were able to do it yourself.