general problems of the 1998 Lincoln Continental

#1-while leaving work the left front coil spring fractured in half punturing (tearing) the tire causing immediate deflation of left front tire affecting steering control and braking. (I had no advance notice -noise or bounce-before failure). #2-failure occured in a parking lot at low speed - thankfully. #3-the left front strut/spring assembly #1f3z*5w311 was replaced as well as the right strut/spring #1f3z*5w310 assembly due to inspection revieled a crack in the right front spring. The left front tire was replaced. This could easily have caused major damage or a fatality at driving speeds. I have old parts for inspection - they remind me how lucky I was in a parking lot at time of failure.