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Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis

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What is this discussion about? Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Exterior, Sedan

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#2232 of 3244 Big Merc acting up by drknuckles Apr 06, 2004 (7:36 pm)
I bought a 98 Grand Marquis from a dealer..paid way too much..but I wanted a big safe car for the kids and be able to have a little fun myself on the freeways...anyway 3 questions...are the brakes as bad as everyone sz they are (as far as maitanance cost) and if I go over a speed bump slowly I hear a loud squeaking from the suspension (shocks or springs?) also the tranny is alittle touchy shifting gears..is this a normal quirk or just my luck??
#2233 of 3244 RE.Big Merc by cat3126 Apr 07, 2004 (6:20 am)
I have a 95 GM with 57K on it.The suspension noises you hear are most likely ball joints and tie rod ends.Fords are notorious for failure of these components especially where alot of road salt is used. I had to replace the entire system.I replaced all four rotors at 40K. My wife who drives the car does not brake hard enough to keep the pads and rotors in condition.I drive the car once a month and lay on the brakes very hard two or three times. Had the brakes checked they are still like new.The transmission hardness you feel is probably early stages of the torque converter failing.My torque converter failed at 51K. I was told that the failure of the torque converter was caused by not changing the oil in the converter when I changed the transmission fluid.
#2234 of 3244 85merc by hotrodlincoln1 Apr 07, 2004 (9:22 am)
The box bodies are rated to tow 5000 pounds. However, the 85's only have about 130 horsepower (180 or so with the 5.8 engine). They have enough torque (around 270 ft-lbs for the base engine) to tow a 1300 lb boat anywhere, but keep it out of overdrive and don't be expect to win any races.   I haven't towed with my car, but I have towed with a similarly set up (and underpowered) '80 Cadillac. It got the job done, but I didn't have to take the U-Haul to a boat ramp. I would think it would have no worse traction than a 2WD pickup.   As far as issues:   1. The OD band in the AOD trans is a notorious weak point. If you drive the car, and it slips going into overdrive, you either have a problem with the OD band or...   2. The TV (Throttle Valve) linkage (a rod on the 85's IIRC) must be properly adjusted or the trans will self-destruct very quickly. Symptoms are generally slippage and soft early shifts.   3. If the transmission fluid isn't clean and red, expect to do a rebuild soon. The good news is that an AOD rebuild is relatively cheap (~$600 at a good independent shop).   4. If the water pump hasn't been replaced yet, expect to do it soon. The part costs $20-60, depending on whether you buy new or rebuilt. The labor is a pain.   5. It's a 19 year old car. It WILL have some sort of mechanical issues. Most likely it will have power window/lock issues, need a tuneup, probably tires if it's been sitting. Maybe brakes, etc.   I don't want to discourage you, but if you don't do your own work, these cars are money pits. If you do your own work, they are great, cheap, comfortable transportation. If you decide you want more than 130 hp, as in way more than 130, that isn't hard either.   Oh yes, price. I bought an '86 Town Car with 96k and one dent for $1600. For a perfectly straight car with good paint that runs good, I might go a little over 2000. Any car that runs is worth $500. BTW, '86 and later 5.0's have SEFI in place of CFI (looks like a carburetor) and about 20 more horsepower.   Sorry for the book.
#2235 of 3244 One more thing by hotrodlincoln1 Apr 07, 2004 (9:26 am)
The heater core is probably bad, or will be soon. This is another cheap ($50) but hard to replace part.
#2236 of 3244 85 mercury... by 96pathfind Apr 08, 2004 (6:36 am)
Thanks! Exactly the info I needed. I'm gonna pass on the '85, and keep my eyes and ears open for a later model wagon, preferably with factory tow package. I do much of my own work, but if I'm gonna have to put that much effort into it I want the wagon for the extra space. Wouldn't hurt to have the extra HP of a newer model, either.
#2237 of 3244 Re: Can't Bear to Part With my 94 GM [ragdollgirl #2203] by alston28 Apr 18, 2004 (4:42 pm)
Replying to: ragdollgirl (Mar 02, 2004 12:13 pm) I'm in a similar boat, but with a a 1987 Buick w/ 138,000 miles on it. I'm trying to prepare myself for when it finally gives up the ghost. I've noticed lots of CV/GMs on the road, and thus my interest in this group. Why should I get a new car, when the one I have works fine, gets me where I'm going, and is paid for?
#2238 of 3244 Seat in 2k1 - 2k2 by izaclown1 Apr 19, 2004 (5:50 pm)
I am deciding between a used 2k3 Sable LS and a 2k1 or 2k2 GM LS. I have driven both but found the drivers seat was leaning toward the door. I said something to the salesman and he thought I was jerking his chain. He sat in it and I was right. We also were able to verify from the sales manager there was a problem.   I look at another dealership and of the 3 cars they had in the same years did the exact same problem in varying degrees. The salesman also thought I was crazy and he sat it and agreed there was a problem.   I love the handling and ride of the GM and think that is the way I want to go. I did a search in this group and did not any reference to this. Maybe I missed it.   Has any one else experienced this?
#2239 of 3244 Seat Alignment by barnzy Apr 19, 2004 (7:33 pm)
izaclown1: In which vehicle does the seat lean towards the door - the Sable or the GM? Replies to this message: izaclown1 (Apr 20, 2004 6:07 pm)
#2240 of 3244 Seat Alignment by hotrodlincoln1 Apr 20, 2004 (9:52 am)
That's an unusual problem. I've never heard of that on any vehicle. It shouldn't be hard to fix. Just unbolt the seat and shim it with some washers until you get it level.   I would be a little extra cautious about looking for structural defects before buying a car with this problem.
#2241 of 3244 OD shift by bobparks1 Apr 20, 2004 (3:39 pm)
Our 2003 Grand Marquis does not shift into overdrive on a level road until the car reaches 43 mph. Is there a way to get it to shift into overdrive around 35 mph? Lots of 35 and 40 mph speed limits where I drive. Replies to this message: hotrodlincoln1 (Apr 22, 2004 8:11 am)

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