First road trip

M

Mike_viii

Registered
I finally got a chance to take the Mark on a "real" road trip. We made the drive from Reno to San Francisco this weekend. Very nice! I was already extremely pleased that I purchased the Mark, but the three hour drive to the bay made me all the more satisfied. The car rides very smooth and has lots of power for crossing the Sierras. Even got the chance to show a couple of ricers some American muscle. LOL! I'm already looking forward to a couple weeks when we get to do it again.

Couple of newbie questions: While going around some mountain turns, the car seemed a little "loose"...moving a lot from side to side as if the suspension needed to be tightened (sorry about the poor description). Is there something that can be done to tighten up the cornering? Is it just the weight of the car? Are they not designed for cornering at 80-85 mph?

Are radar detectors legal in California? I found that most people on I-80 drive 75+ anyways so there may not be a need for one. But I'm curious if anyone bothers to use one?


MG
 
RE: First road trip

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... While going around some mountain turns, the car seemed a little "loose"...moving a lot from side to side as if the suspension needed to be tightened (sorry about the poor description). Is there something that can be done to tighten up the cornering? Is it just the weight of the car? Are they not designed for cornering at 80-85 mph?
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Have a competent shop check for worn suspension components such as bushings and the like do wear and age. Check for any broken sway bar and worn shocks and front struts.

Other than maintenance, the handling can be improved by sensor lowering. Upgrading suspension components can help as well. Poly bushings are available as are bigger sway bars. Tires are another big area to consider.

If the rear of the car seems to move laterally(as in 'wiggle' back and forth), you should check the wheel bearings.
 
RE: First road trip

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]... While going around some mountain turns, the car seemed a little "loose"...moving a lot from side to side as if the suspension needed to be tightened (sorry about the poor description). Is there something that can be done to tighten up the cornering? Is it just the weight of the car? Are they not designed for cornering at 80-85 mph? [/div]Have a competent shop check for worn suspension components such as bushings and the like do wear and age. Check for any broken sway bar and worn shocks and front struts.Other than maintenance, the handling can be improved by sensor lowering. Upgrading suspension components can help as well. Poly bushings are available as are bigger sway bars. Tires are another big area to consider.If the rear of the car seems to move laterally(as in 'wiggle' back and forth), you should check the wheel bearings.
[/div]

Thanks for the info.

I just had the car serviced but I would imagine they do not check the things you mentioned unless asked. I didn't feel that there was anything necessarily wrong with the car just that while cornering I could really feel the weight shift. I have always had smaller cars so maybe it was just more noticeable in the Mark.

I am getting new tires this week/weekend...still deciding what size to go with. I'll see if they make a difference.

I don't think I am ready to lower the vehicle yet. Although I like the way it looks, I am concerned about longevity. The other upgrades may be an option though.
 
RE: First road trip

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While going around some mountain turns, the car seemed a little "loose"...moving a lot from side to side as if the suspension needed to be tightened (sorry about the poor description). Is there something that can be done to tighten up the cornering?[/div]Was your tire pressure up? Also, mine behaved similarly when I first got it - it ended up being the rear alignment was out, which made it feel like it kinda' wanted to do its own things around curves. And check the rear sway-bar and links to be sure nothing's broken there.

I went to 245/50R17 tires on 17x7 wheels and noticed a substantial improvement in cornering.

And hey - the next time you come down you should let us locals in the GGM8 know - we're usually up for get-togethers...

John
[link:www.goldengatemark8.com|Golden Gate Mark VIII Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
 
RE: First road trip

My husband's an engineer, and he at first refused to let me lower the car. Some engineering crap - sticking up for other engineers I guess. :+ Anyway, after quite a while (I forget when exactly), we did lower the car. The ride is a bit harsher (though still a smooth ride - just comparatively), but I noticed a difference in better handling immediately. And I like how it looks. So I think I've had mine lowered for maybe 2 years now, no problems that I'm aware of. FWIW.
 
RE: First road trip

Thanks for all the good information. I'm getting a new set of shoes put on tomorrow...BF Goodrich Traction T/A H, stock size. (thanks to Magic_Marker for the lead).

I may consider lowering my car after I do a little more research. I'd be curious to hear if anyone has had any problems with their cars that they attribute to lowering it. I currenlty have 58K miles and probably will not put more than 10K a year on it. That said, I am really enjoying the car and want it to last as long as possible.

cvrefugee--I am not sure if you wanted pics of my car or of my trip. Nothing too notable from the trip other than a few shots of Chinatown. There are pics of my car somewhere on this site. I am not sure if this link will work or not:
http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=76&topic_id=235&mesg_id=235&page=

BTW--the wheels are now going the correct direction. I'll post some more pics after I get my windows tinted in a few weeks. Anyone know if this will mess up the auto-dimming rearview mirror? I assume that it probably will not dim like it does now.

johnaec--We're meeting up with family on our trip over in 2 weeks but I'd be interested in getting together sometime this spring/summer. I'm sure we'll make the trip a few times...it's only a 3 hour drive and we want to take in some b-ball games. Any events planned that I should be aware of?
 
RE: First road trip

[div class="dcquote"]I don't think I am ready to lower the vehicle yet. Although I like the way it looks, I am concerned about longevity. The other upgrades may be an option though.
[/div]

I've put 40k on my car since I lowered it without problems. I was used to riding around in a pickup that was lowered 4" thouggh too, so the ride still isn't all that bad. On long trips, one of my friends who almost always goes with has no problem falling asleep when cruising along at 120... ;)

Just be sure to get an alignement if you do as it will throw things off a little.
 
RE: First road trip

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... I'll post some more pics after I get my windows tinted in a few weeks. Anyone know if this will mess up the auto-dimming rearview mirror? I assume that it probably will not dim like it does now.
[/div]

Since the rear view photocell in the rear view mirror will not see as much light due to tinting, it has been suggested to counteract the effect by partially shrouding the forward facing ambient light sensor on the backside of the mirror.

I did notice the difference in the auto-dim feature after tint was installed but haven't attempted any fixes since it's not a daily driver.
 
RE: First road trip

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johnaec ...it's only a 3 hour drive and we want to take in some b-ball games. Any events planned that I should be aware of?
[/div]
Not yet, but keep your eyes on the Events and NorCal Chapter forums here - they'll get listed there. I'll also try to drop you a reminder...

John
[link:www.goldengatemark8.com|Golden Gate Mark VIII Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
 
RE: First road trip

Second trip to Cali...

Took a trip to Mendocino CA this past weekend (Medocino is on the Northern Coast for those not familiar with N.Cal.). The new tires made a world of difference on the turns.

My only complaint is the poor quality of service from Sears. I know I probably shouldn't have gone there in the first place but they were the only ones in town that stocked the tires I wanted. I have been to them twice to have the tires balanced...both times the weights have come off. I'll see if they get it right the next time and if not I'll take it to some other shop. Anyone have problems with the stock 10 spoke rims and keeping the clips secured?

Thanks,
Mike
 
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