New to me 95 - have questions

[Trainwreck]

Hello everyone, I just picked up my new daily driver, a 1995 Town Car. The car is black with black leather interior, is this a very rare color combo? I haven't seen another one anywhere on ebay, craigslist, ect.

The front sway bar end links are loose to where they clink and rattle when I hit bumps. Is this something that wears out? I see them on Ebay for around 40 for both, can I pick them up locally so I can go ahead and get this swapped out?

Second, the driver's window was "stuck down" but the dealership (a cadillac dealer) put something on it to hold it up. I have not hit the button and I dont want to but I'm not sure if I need a regulator or a motor. Any way to tell?

Lastly, will the newer model Town Car wheels bolt up to my car? I would like to keep the original look with a little larger wheel or something other than the mesh style wheels that came on it. I need tires anyway.

My speakers are not producing any bass in the rear and distort, so they need to be replaced. I have the JBL system. Is it a good idea to go back factory or aftermarket? I dont want to put a full system in the car, just richen up the factory sound.

Forgot one thing...the seats don't move very far forward or back and the motor seems week. Should I just lube it up or is something wrong??

Thanks for your time!

 

[dRock95MarkVIII]

The black interiors always seem to be a bit harder to find.



The front swaybar endlinks use two ball sockets, and yes, they do wear out. If they are clunking, they're shot.
Don't mess around with any eBay junk - go with OEM, Moog or TRW (who is the OEM for the part)
http://www.p71interceptor.com/suspension/swaybars/front/partnumbers.html
Replace the bushings at the same time. This would be an opportune time to upgrade to ENS polyurethane bushings


If you press the button and you hear the motor move but no movement, it's the regulator. If you press the button and there is no noise - the motor may be bad or the dealer may have disconnected it at the motor or the master switch panel when they 'fixed' it.
If in doubt, you may want to just replace both.


98-02 Town Car wheels are a direct swap.
03+ Town Car wheels will require 1.25" hubcentric adapters all around to compensate for the higher offset.
I have an FAQ for panther wheel swaps, here: http://www.crownvic.net/drock96marquis/rims.htm


I'd go aftermarket for the speakers - the OEM replacement speakers will be $$
I put all Alpine R series speakers in my other car and love the sound!



Try lubing the seat track with white lithium grease or similar. You may just have to replace the 6 way motor assembly, though. Not too hard...

You will need to pull the seat(s), though. This was easy in my car as it is completely rust-free. If your's isn't, expect to snap a seat bolt or two!

http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/7603/58527

 

[Trainwreck]

Thank you for spending the time with your response! Its exactly what I was looking for! You answered all of my questions, thanks again!

I'll get pics up when I get a chance!

 

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Black on black isn't hard to find... but i spose its a little "rarer"

Expect to replace the valve seals on your 4.6

 

[Trainwreck]

Valve seals? Wanna tell me more? Is this costly, or something I can do? I'm a pretty good shade tree mechanic.

 

[Mr Wiggl3s]

The 4.6's up until 1997 had some weak seals, i think they were made of cheap plastic or something, here are 2 links about them

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00094.html

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00040.html

 

[dRock95MarkVIII]

The 4.6 SOHC valve stem seal seepage issue was resolved by 1996 model year. It only effects 91-95 4.6s


Symptoms include excess oil consumption, oil burning odor from the exhaust, and of course when it gets more severe blue smoke on start up or after accelerating from idle periods.

 

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ooo they fixed it in 96? Could of swore it was 97 but your probably right

 

[dRock95MarkVIII]

Yup, '96 which also brought the updated F5AE nPI heads and the composite intake. Other than the possible intake front coolant crossover rupture on 96-01 models, there is very very few issues with the 96 and up SOHCs.

I happen to own a '96 panther (a Marquis), love it! We previously had a '96 Town Car as well. 95-97 are probably my favorite year Town Cars for the interior, 98-02 for the exterior