Budget Lincoln MKX build

[ebodell67]

On 3/16/2025 at 8:13 PM, NzP said:

because of set of tires u'll get rid of the car?

Not sure, I have not priced 20" tires (never owned anything with them) so not sure what that cost would be. My concern is that I put $800 worth of tires on it and then something lets go then I am stuck with oddball sized tires with no use for them. I suppose I could try and find a used set and mount them up myself but they don't look to be as easy to mount as say the 245/65 R16 that I run on my pickup(s). Not something I will have to worry about until the fall so I will make the call then. As I gain confidence in the Lincoln I may be more comfortable putting significant money into it. 

 

I know that 20" and 22" are common these days but nothing in my fleet uses them. But again, maybe used ones are common and reasonable $. 

 

I did fix the coolant leak (more like a seep through a parting line) with JB Weld. 

[ebodell67]

I still had a clanking noise that would get worse at times. I got it up on ramps and found that one of the dust shields was not pressed on to the driveshaft. I had to push these off when I replaced the carrier bearings and one of them has lost its press fit. I did not want to drop the shaft and take it apart again so I tried some JB Weld on the shield. Drove to work this AM and it is much better now. Not sure how long it will hold, worst case I will got in and cut it off. I would rather leave it in place as it helps keep debris away from the bearing so not sure that is the best plan. But is does kinda "hang up" once in a while and sounds like the drivetrain is grenading itself. Other option would be to simply pull the driveshaft and run FWD only. Not sure if this would cause other issues though. I don't really need AWD in the spring, summer, and fall. 

Liking the Lincoln more and more, it owes me nothing and every day I get out of it is a bonus. I have the fleet down to a reasonable number now and my insurance has dropped quite a bit.