1998 Lincoln Navigator: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 11, 2006 · Steering · 52,800 miles · PA

I was driving on a straight stretch of road through riverside, pa doing 35 MPH when I experienced violent shaking in the front end of the vehicle. I had extreme difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle and almost hit 3 people walking alongside the road. When I was able to stop the vehicle I discovered that the inner tie rod had broken and that the right front passenger wheel was completely turned inward. The inner tie rod and associated mechanical parts were replaced. (old parts not available).

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Steering · 92,000 miles · OH

I visited my father who lives 22 miles away. I made it there and back fine. I just got back into my hometown when I crossed a set of tracks that are on a turn. I was traveling approximately 35 MPH. After crossing them I straightened my wheels and my navigator began to shake with extreme violence. I immediately braked and turned down a side alley to get off the street. That's when I seen the broken passenger side tie rod.

Filed Nov 30, 2004 · Steering · MI

Total loss of steering due to failure of left outer tie rod. Repaired under extended warranty, recurred. *bf the second loss of steering occurred while the consumer back out of the garage.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Steering · 112,329 miles · PA

Fax fm archie bice (pa) re defective tie rod on his wife's 1998 lincoln navigator.*mr while driving over a speed bump the front of the vehicle jumped sideways in a violent manner. The consumer drove over another speedbump and the same thing happened. The consumer's husband checked the vehicle when she got home and noticed that the tie rod broke off at the end (the ball separated from the socket). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that this failure was not a common problem therefore no they would not provide any assistance.

Filed Aug 16, 2004 · Steering · 112,329 miles · PA

Vehicle's tie rod broke on 1998 lincoln navigator.*mr while driving over a speed bump the front of the vehicle jumped sideways in a violent manner. The consumer drove over another speedbump and the same thing happened. The consumer's husband checked the vehicle when she got home and noticed that the tie rod broke off at the end (the ball separated from the socket). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that this failure was not a common problem therefore no they would not provide any assistance.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Steering · NY

While driving 15 MPH the left front wheel turned opposite to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop, and technician determined tie rod popped off the steering column. Dealership was not notified.

Filed Jun 29, 2004 · Steering · 91,537 miles · MI

Without any warning while backing the truck up, the front right wheel laid sideways. The truck was towed to the dealership for examination. The technician replaced the tie rod end and the pitman arm. *jb both tie rods failed. *sc

Filed Jun 27, 2003 · Steering, Suspension · 38,216 miles · IL

While driving, the left tie rod separated, which almost caused an accident. *jb while driving, the right tie rod separated. (all parts were replaced by the dealer) the consumer was able to stop the vehicle without causing an accident because both failures occurred at a low speed. When the tie rod broke, along with the inner binding, the reaction was extremely violent and difficult to control. The left inner and outer tie rod end were replaced. The sway bar link had broken. (the right tie rod end and sway bar link was replaced) *scc

Filed Apr 10, 2003 · Steering · 76,162 miles · MI

The tie rod assembly failed. *jb the consumer was at a stop sign and just completed a right turn when it appeared that the left tie rod had broken. Scc

Filed Jul 8, 2002 · Steering, Suspension · MI

Vehicle was going 35-40mph and the front end started violently shaking due to tie rod breaking. Vehicle was very hard to control at a low speed due to wheels locking in a turning position with the steering wheel still spinning. Vehicle was just in for repair a week before to replace the sway bar. Dealer notified. *ak the consumer stated that the service manager at dealer stated that they have had similar problems with the navigator.

Filed Jun 2, 2002 · Steering · MI

Consumer states that the tie rods broke off while the consumer was doing 70 MPH and then when the consumer was doing 25 MPH. Contacted dealer

Filed Sep 6, 2001 · Steering · TN

The current design of the tie rod is such that, when it wears out or fails it completely falls apart. On the previous design of the tie rod, even after failure, the ball was captured and could not come apart until it was completely worn out after thousands of miles allowing for plenty of warning.