Hi Folks,

I am a very recent owner of a 2002 S Type 3.0. This is, in my view, a lovely car. However we got the car very cheaply and there are some issues with it.

The main issue is with a strong pull to the right. The steering wheel needs to be rotated to an off center position with the left hand at the 8 o'clock and right hand at the 2 o'clock position. Letting go of the wheel causes the car to basically change lanes with urgency. Under heavy braking, with the ABS activated, the car drives more or less straight. There are no regular clunks or bangs from the front suspension.

Another (possibly related?) issue is when going over bumps the car tends to float and lurch left / right when settling from the float. It can be a little unnerving because the car feels like it wants to change lanes. This is noticeable when hitting dips in the road at speed (say 70 kmh). It is not particularly noticeable when going over speed bumps at lower speed (30 kmh).

For the first issue I suspect a faulty tire related pull. The car has some cheap replacement tires on it (they are terrible tires; wheelspin can be induced with low RPM when cornering at moderate speed). However I don't think that would explain the second issue of lurching over dips / humps at speed.

I will have it look in it professionally, but wanted to get a little guidance from this community.

Cheers

Eamonn aka eggman

 

i would check your shocks/dampers first and you tracking.

Have you kerbed it recently or hit any big pot holes ?

 

Just to add:

S - Type Alignment.pdf

Alignment?
Tire Air pressure?

 

Yep. She needs: inspection of steering components, struts, new tires, then alignment.

 

So um.. I guess I should get this sorted before buying new wheels

First thing I will do is follow the "tire pull diagnosis" guide I read on here and will swap the fronts to see if it makes any difference.

I will also get the suspension inspected.

The tires are awful; I believe they are "Triangle Talons". I once bought cheap tires for our Subaru Outback and took them off after less than a year. But I am sure this is not just tires. And um... if I am going to buy tires I probably want to settle on some aftermarket wheels... the wife may come to hate this car

Thanks Gents!

eg

 

Heck, I'd even check that the tyres (tires) are consistent sizes!! (As well as pressures.)

Someone posted that theirs weren't the same sizes left & right. No wonder the handling wasn't OK...

 

+1 on full suspension, shock and tire check - you will be surprised what you will find... also, follow allignment specs included in Post #3

 

Hello folks,

I have had my S Type inspected by a reliable and knowledgable mechanic. The car has been in some sort of altercation and has fairly significant damage to the front suspension. Keep in mind I got the car as a gift from my father who paid $3500 for it.

It needs a new front right suspension and new lower ball join on the left, in addition to tires. I can shop for tires separately, but I expect that will be about $800 to $1000.

The mechanic can source the parts locally for about $1400. He is happy to do the work with parts I supply. I have looked on eBay and found some very good prices on parts, but am not sure if I should be concerned with these parts:

Suspension rebuild kit:
New Lincoln LS Jaguar s Type V6 V8 Front Suspension Kit Control Arm Arms Knuckle | eBay

Camber kit:
Front Caster Camber Plates Kit 2 00 Caster 1 00 Camber | eBay

That comes to about $500 for parts... A lot cheaper than the mechanic can source them for. I would appreciate any guidance on purchasing parts off eBay.

Cheers,
Eamonn aka eggman

 

The Lincoln LS guys use the EBay parts without problems.

Glad you found out the early S Type share all the suspension with the same year LS. I would do both sides with the age of the car and from the sounds of it maybe an accident or two. Check the rubber boots on the rear outer tie rod ends.

But check your car first. The lower ball joints were changed from 14mm (What's in that kit) to a stouter 16mm version. It was a running change in 2002 so I am not sure what your car has. You can measure the ball joint stud to determine the size.

Much cheaper parts with the LS involved!!

Be a bit careful with that ad. The 2003 LS was upgraded and this kit will not fit that year.
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