Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2002 Lincoln LS

Both driver and passenger side lower ball joints have fractured, been replaced and have fractured again. The stud post itself continues to fracture above the control arm mounting hole, despite both ball joints being replaced and retorqued to manufacturer recommended tightness.

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln Ls. While driving at approximately 20 mph, the front driver's side lower ball joint fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and was not taken to a dealer for further diagnosis. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln Ls. While driving approximately 65 mph on normal road conditions the vehicle accelerated without intention, and then down-shifted. The driver was able to gain control and continue operation with caution. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the lower control arms and ball joints. The vehicle was being repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.

While driving the lower ball joint fell apart. No injury resulted due to a low speed. After talking to a technician at the local Lincoln dealer I found out that Lincoln had changed the design a month after my car was built because they know they had underbuilt the car. I asked the technician if I could upgrade it to the part they used after March of 2002 and he said he didn't know he had never tried it but as far as he knew the parts would bolt up to the car the same, and the part they used on my car was failing on a regular basis and the part they used after March of 2002, as far as he knew never failed. I decided to take the lower control arm off my car and take it to a machine shop and have them machine it to fit the newer/larger stud in the ball joint used after March of 2002, everything worked out good and I have not had any problems. The original equipment on my car were 14 mm and after March they used 16 mm it's pretty simple to take it to a machine shop and upgrade your car. The cost of the work at the machine shop was only $25 and we did all the rest in the driveway in just a few hours. If you have any mechanical ability you can do this job, or you can pay about $1,500 to a shop to put the 14 mm back in and have it fail again.

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln Ls. While driving 60 mph, the contacts wife heard a whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The mechanic stated that lower ball joint was not manufacturer with a safety pin in the lock nut. In addition, they felt this could have caused the tire to disengage. As of may 29, 2008, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 137,000.

Ltr re his defective 2002 Lincoln Ls, the axle broke and the wheel and the hub came off the car, would like someone to look into this defect. While driving on the garden state parkway, the left front wheel came off and the consumer was pulled into the concrete median strip. Consumer had enough experience not to hit the brake, slight acceleration and he got control of the vehicle. It took a half of mile to get the vehicle across 3 lanes of busy traffic and onto the shoulder. A passerby checked to see if the consumer was o. K. He then informed the consumer the entire wheel fell off. Approx. 30 minutes later the state trooper arrived with the wheel still attached to the hub. It crossed over 4 lanes of traffic and didn't cause an accident. Consumer was told the lower ball joint came off, went into the inside of the wheel and the axle broke. He sustained bruises but no lasting injuries. Consumer had a hold put on the repair work until Ford had a chance to look at the vehicle. The consumer service rep. Stated the consumer may want to have the dealer look at it. The consumer replied that since the dealer may be at fault, he didn't want them to look at the vehicle. Vehicle sustained damage in the amount of $8000. The wheel was being held for someone to inspect it. Someone did contact the consumer stating they were from Ford and "there is no proof that the accident was caused by a defect. " the caller would leave their name or number so the consumer could return the call.