97 Town Car - Wavers at 70 mph+

M

MindyMark

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Yesterday I was driving my mom's 97 Lincoln Town Car with 95k miles on it. Once I would hit 70mph + it would feel like the car would waver back and fourth almost to the point I felt like I would loose control. The feeling was similar to driving with a fast cross wind but this was a day with next to no wind. The car has brand new Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires and it anything it felt like the backend was swaying more then the front

So my question is this fairly normal for the Town Car..... I know they aren't meant for speed, I just don't recall my mom's old Grand Marquis doing the same, it felt much more confident at the same speeds.
 
You think there is that much play in them? Also wouldn't they be making some noise?

To verify they are the problem, just jack up the rear end and check for play?
 
Yup...you'll be VERY surprised! I 'bout crapped when I saw that on a 95 T-Bird I drive at work! Drive down the road and turn the steering wheel L & R and it felt like you were floating back there!
 
Well I'd love to check it out, but I'm out of town with the car, and 7 hours away from home. :(

Even if I jack it up with the tire jack, there is still nothing I can do about it. Since I can't feel it unless I'm going over 70mph, and I won't be doing much if any of that on the way home it is just going to have to wait.
 
As I said...easy way is to go about 50 and move steering wheel left and right....if it feels like rear is on a roller coaster, bad bearings. .....and don't move steering wheel too much, it might cut through your axle!
 
Thanks for your suggestions, I'll give it a try on the way home and decide if I need to replace the bearing for her.
 
You can still jack it up and check it, you'd be amazed on how much they would move with your hands. Remember you have the big wheel attached so the leverage you have will make the slightest play very visable.
 
I never got around to jacking the car up but it did the 7 hour trip home without any issues or wavering. Maybe it was the road or there was a cross wind.

Either way I will check it out closer when I have time, as my mom lives about an hour away from me.
 
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