has anyone experienced this?

[guillotm]

While the car is still I turn the wheel all the way to the left then all the way to the right and about half way through the turn I hear a poping noise. This happens pretty much everytime. When I go over big bumps it pops a little on the same side, which is the passenger side. I have checked both ball joints and they same ok although I havent checked the stabilizer bar yet. Can anyone tell me if they have had symptoms like this and how did they correct it. Also, is there anyone out there that hasnt had to change the valve gasket because I have 100,000 miles and have no problem with oil leaking in the wells. Thanks in advance for all your replies.

 

[beaups]

sure sounds like a ball joint....

 

[steagle]

definitely not every LS encounters that valve cover issue, but the majority do. consider yourself one of the lucky few

and yea sounds like ball joints, check everything there - joints, boots, axle, make sure nothing is cracked or loose.

 

[beaups]

check to make sure your stabilizer links are good too while your at it.

 

[SoonerLS]

Also, is there anyone out there that hasnt had to change the valve gasket because I have 100,000 miles and have no problem with oil leaking in the wells.

A few years ago (for the '03 MY, I think), Lincoln revised the valve cover gaskets and the COP seals. From what I've seen, it looks like the new design has virtually eliminated the dreaded COP-killing oil leak problem. (I'm sure this is a load off the minds of mholhut and GWL. )

 

[01lssport]

I had this happen to my car a while ago. It is the lower A-arm. There are two bolts that hold the a-arm to the subframe. The subframe is bolt holes are slotted to allow for adjustment. One or both of these bolts are loose and need to be tightened up. My car felt really sloppy over bumps when I was going over 60 (country roads). You can probably take it to an alignment shop and have them tighten it and get into specs since its probably out of alignment like that.

 

[guillotm]

Thanks for the replies. When I did check the ball joints, I jacked the car up with the frame and was not able to get any play from the joint unless I lifted the tire up with a tire iron from the bottom. I got some vertical play but nothing else and it was the same on both sides, almost seemed like it should be that way. Surely this is not the sign of a worn ball joint. With the car grounded I cannot get any movement from the tires.