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Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis Maintenance and Repair

26 messages,  Last post on Nov 12, 2012 at 1:52 PM

You are in the Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Heating / Cooling

Messages Page 3 of 3

#21 of 26 Re: 2001 Grand Marquis tracking bad [brianalex] by euphonium

Nov 07, 2012 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: brianalex (Nov 06, 2012 11:04 pm)
Is there a solution?
 
Yes - it is driving & trying the car out BEFORE you pay for it.

#22 of 26 Tracking by bartbarter

Nov 09, 2012 (8:15 am)

I'll tell ya, if you've always driven rack and pinion cars a recirculating ball is a lot different. A problem? Cars have been using recirculating ball style systems since forever.
 
I've got a 03 and a 85 and the 03 is much tighter, but actually feels like it needs more correction at highway speeds. It's an impression thing - because there is a bit of slack in the old system, and very little in the new, the new feels twitchy. I can see why a younger driver would find the 01 a bit barge like. It is.
 
The only things I can think of is, you can have a Ford mechanic check the lash adjustment on the steering box (don't overtighten it!), or the big one - have a box from a P71 (police package) Crown Victoria fitted on it. The police steering boxes are a LOT tighter, and bolt right in (you might, might, need a fitting on the fluid lines, I can' t remember, but no big deal).
 
Most rebuilt boxes are NOT police package so be careful if you decide to go this route. It appears ACDELCO 360816569 *might* be correct - I'd call to verify. Iirc the police package boxes do not have a snap ring holding the output shaft seal, and the regular ones do.
 
It's possible that a loose suspension is adding to the slop impression as well. KYB gas-a-just shocks will stiffen these cars up nicely, and for a bit more use the P71 ones. I've also used cargo coils (variable rate) rear springs (very easy to change) in all my full size Fords, they really help flatten them out on long turns, like highway ramps. You can also swap police package front and rear sway bars onto it (they're bigger). To go whole hog have your control arm bushings upgraded to Energy Polyurethane
 
It's a great car. Good luck.
 
Bart

#23 of 26 hhhh by bartbarter

Nov 09, 2012 (10:17 am)

Ah. MOTORCRAFT Part # STG35RM, and I caught reference that these folks know the time: http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/
 
no affiliation etc.
 
Bart

#24 of 26 Much Thanks... by brianalex

Nov 09, 2012 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: bartbarter (Nov 09, 2012 10:17 am)
I really appreciate the info Bart. I may try the steering gear.
 
 The thing is I don't remember this during the brief test drive and I replaced the ancient tires the first day. I've added a few pounds pressure (39 lbs front)and that seems to help a bit.
 My first car was a '64 Galaxie with 32K and I've had a 75 Olds Regency (455 ci) and never noticed this type of problem. But for the last 12 years I've been driving a Toyota Cressida Wagon that handled like it was on rails so maybe that "spoiled" me, haha. This Merc. is like a brand new car and the ol' lady is tickled pink with every aspect of it (she doesn't drive), so I will follow your suggestions and upgrade the shocks and maybe the gear. Thanks- Brian

#25 of 26 ggggg by bartbarter

Nov 12, 2012 (11:16 am)

You've had some nice cars!
 
Just a note - the suspension will make it feel tighter perhaps, but the only thing that will actually tighten it up is the box.
 
Also, upgraded rear control arms are available for the WATTS rear end and are supposed to make a HUGE difference - I'm looking forward to changing mine. When James May said it handled like it has a hinge in the middle, it's supposed to fix that.
 
Bart

#26 of 26 Re: ggggg [bartbarter] Rear Arms Added to list. Thx!-BA by brianalex

Nov 12, 2012 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: bartbarter (Nov 12, 2012 11:16 am)

Messages Page 3 of 3

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