1996 Mercury Grand Marquis: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Suspension · 102,511 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercury grand marquis equipped with a duralast ball joint, part number fa2101. The contact stated that the stud on the front passenger side lower ball joint broke after being used for 253 miles. The parts dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the manufacturer would like to examine the ball joint because they believed it was installed incorrectly. The contact expressed concerns about the stud breaking, not the actual ball joint. The current mileage on the vehicle was 102,511. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 134,000 miles · OR

I own a 1996 mercury grand marquis. The steering in the vehicle began locking up at a certain spot when turning. This would cause me to push the steering wheel into the turn a little harder which unlocked the steering causing me to veer left or right. I took the car several times to different shops. They would lift the car and check the suspension and give it a clean bill of health. The problem persisted and got much worse. I took the car to yet another shop and insisted they take it out and drive it a long distance. The mechanic didn't get out of the parking lot, came back and made me leave the car. He insisted it was a problem with the steering box and this was replaced. I picked up the car on a friday and on saturday drove over the mountains. It was a hairy ride, the problem was not fixed and the curvy roads made driving downright dangerous. I took the car to a mechanic at my destination and he inspected the car but this time he disconnected the tie rod ends so he could rotate the wheels with weight on them. One of the ball joints on the drivers side was nearly locked solid. The drivers side ball joints were replaced and that fixed the problem.

Filed Feb 25, 2008 · Steering · 85,000 miles · NE

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury grand marquis. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left and right. The dealer suggested that the contact may want to have the tie rods repaired, although they were not covered under warranty. A local mechanic stated that the tie rods were fine and no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 85,000 and current mileage was 86,000. Updated 03/26/08.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 90,473 miles · MD

Dt: while driving the brake lines failed and had to be replaced. The owner came outside and saw the brake fluid on the ground and realized that the brake lines failed. The owner drove the vehicle with no brakes to the dealership and they repaired it. Then the owner realized that the brake lines were rusted.*ak the left rear seat belt was replaced twice. The wiper motor, wiper switch, drivers side mirror switch and rotors were all replaced. The turn signal switch, driver window switch , tail light , catalytic converter were replaced. The consumer was told the ball joints and shocks were bad. The battery was replaced.

Filed Aug 7, 2005 · Steering · 1 miles · FL

I believe that there is a serious problem with the steering gear box in the mercury grand marquis 1996 and any other vehicles which use this same component in their vehicle. The problem is that there is excessive play inside the steering gear box. I am sure that this problem is the gear box not some other component of the system. The seriousness of the problem is that the play inside within the gear box is translated to the road in the form of poor handling,swaying etc. I changed my upper, lower ball joints,tie rods, pitman arm ,tires,sway bars,idle arm,and aligned and also replaced the gearbox with a rebuilt gearbox this completely different gearbox rebuilt mind you has the same problem as the previous gear box. This type of vehicle is driven by a lot of seniors, cab companies ,etc. The newer model vehicles of this type use a different gear box which I am pretty sure it does not have the same problem as the older models have. As far as having the old part I gave it to the company that I purchased the newly rebuilt one from as a core.

Filed Nov 19, 2003 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · MD

Upper ball joints failed at 70,000 miles. Dealer stated that was normal.

Filed Sep 16, 2003 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · NY

1996 mercury grand marquis ls, VIN: [xxx] front tie rod separation from wheel when front passenger side seal ball joint snaps in half. Estimated speed at time of ball joint failure was between 1-5 MPH in a parking lot. First noticed when backing out of parking space, handling was poor, tie rod separated completely. Car is being serviced by nys dot certified c and d automotive, state route 104, ontario, ny 14519. This vehicle was in late june, early july of 1999 for a replacement of the front drivers side ball joint seal due to loud noises coming from front drivers side wheel area and quivering steering feel. *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 4, 2002 · Steering, Suspension · OH

While backing out of driveway left ball joint fell out of vehicle. Dealer contacted.*ak consumer also stated left tir rod end and ball joint failed, and also the right side is in poor condition, dealer replaced the outer and inner tie rod ends.

Filed Oct 5, 2001 · Suspension · OH

While pulling into driveway at slow speed heard a loud noise from front of vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealer, who determined that weld holding lower control arm on driver's side had broken.

Filed Feb 15, 2000 · Steering, Suspension · MA

Pulling out into a street while travelling 10mph front end started to make crunching noise. Steering wheel would not turn smoothly and had to be forced. Contacted dealer , they replaced tie rods. A month later, the same problem. Replaced with a standard lower ball joint instead heavy duty lower ball joint. Mechanic said it was a design flaw.