1998 Ford Crown Victoria: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 15, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 84,000 miles · TX

I was a professional mechanic and went to school for it also with over ten years experience in the field ! This is the story I decided to replace upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends with upper control arm bushings and wheel bearing hub assembly's all at the same time to avoid a vehicle breakdown like what just happened ! The car had about 54000 miles on it when I did this with me knowing these parts were about to go out due to wear before 75000 miles at the latest from experience on average ! But this is the complaint and concern ! My lower passenger front ball joint separated at about 84000 miles on the car which is only thirty thousand miles of life on this ball joint ! Not reassuring at the least ! Even under extreme driving I have found ball joints to last at least 50000 miles before going bad ! The ball joint is a drive works brand part #dw-k8685 advance auto parts brand but here is the strange part they do not know who makes their parts even when you call their 1-800 # are these parts tested or built to federal safety standards these ball joints if they separate on the freeway can kill people this is a serious subject ! I was blessed this ball joint separated at about 20 miles an hour ! Can they be tested or recalled !

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle drifted from right to left and he had difficulty steering straight. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to have the failure diagnosed and the dealer stated that the lower ball joints and upper control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 78,000. The consumer stated there was a recall on the front control arm. However, the dealer informed the consumer there was no recall for his VIN. Updated 03/07/12

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Suspension · 123,895 miles · OH

As described in recall number 98v322000, the lower ball joint broke apart while I was driving the vehicle. This vehicle was originally titled as a fleet vehicle which was part of the recall. The manufacturer refuses to get vehicle fixed. In fact, they say that there are no recalls at all on my vehicle when in fact there are that I know have not been fixed.

Filed Apr 23, 2009 · Suspension · 155,000 miles · AL

As my boyfriend back my car out of the drive on april 22, 2009 between 8:30-9:00pm, the entire front end of the vehicle fell. It appeared that the shocks gave out or something. The only problems the vehicle had were coil issues but we got it taken care of. The ford company claims that the vehicle has no recall on it but I hear from autobuyguide.com that there was a recall on dec. 16, 1998 for the vehicle suspension, front, control arm, lower ball joint. Then a friend of mine told me about others who had this same problem. I want my car to be fixed. I have 2 small children and I need transportation. This a factory default, I shouldn't have to pay to fix this. Can you all help me?

Filed Jun 29, 2006 · Steering · 80,000 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 MPH in a parking lot the vehicle made a loud noise and dropped causing the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the front left tie rod fractured. The repair shop replaced the tie rod. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer has been alerted.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Suspension · 93,000 miles · GA

Vehicle experienced the same problem as described in the lower control arm recall 98v322000. But, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Filed Mar 28, 2003 · Steering · MI

The out tie rod experienced pre mature failure.

Filed Jan 27, 2003 · Steering · 40,000 miles · AZ

I have a 1998 crown victoria with 40,000 miles. My front end was making a noise, so I took it into the dealer. I was told that both of my front control arms need to be replaced. Campaign # 98v322000 dec-15-1998 recall addresses this problem. The dealer states my car is not covered.

Filed Feb 5, 2001 · Steering · CT

Two authorized ford dealers misdiagnosed/failed to diagnose until after ford's basic bumper to bumper (3/36) warranty expired. Ford motor company told me it was a "dealer problem" and further told me it was covered under the extended warranty but that has a $50 debt. This tie rod issue seems to be a problem with these vehicles*ak.

Filed Feb 7, 1999 · Suspension, Transmission · NC

I have noticed on several occasions that when starting from a complete start, either forward or reverse, there is a popping noise in the driveshaft area. The vehicle was taken in for service, recall work for ball joints was done, but the problem still exists.