I’ve had my 2019 MKT for about 6 months and am mostly liking it. My only complaint is the front suspension. When I go over a pothole, manhole cover or large cracks in the road, it sounds and feels like I’m driving a Uhaul truck. There is a loud and forceful “thunk” which is concerning. I’ve had two dealers look at it and they both say the suspension is fine. I also have a 2019 Nautilus and it takes the same road challenges like there is nothing there and is smooth as butter. Anyone have any insight they can share? Thanks
MKT Front Suspension
- Thread starter Cherga
- Start date
I actually have been a reader of this forum for years , but never registered til I saw your post today.
I have a 2013 Lincoln MKT with approx 82K on it. I purchased this car fully loaded and love it EXCEPT
for the suspension with the 20" wheels. Every little bump I go over it seems like the bottom is going to fall out. I almost have to stop for the smallest bump I go over. Everytime I take it into the Lincoln dealer they say suspension checks out fine. Bought new tires and it didn't make a difference.
Have tried all the different ride controls on it, but doesn't make a difference. This car has the worst suspension system of any car I've had in the last 50 years. I'm not about to spend thousands on getting a different wheel size. I will keep this car because on an expressway it's super smooth, but this is not a good car for Michigan roads where everywhere you go the road is buckled or full of pot holes.
I have a 2013 Lincoln MKT with approx 82K on it. I purchased this car fully loaded and love it EXCEPT
for the suspension with the 20" wheels. Every little bump I go over it seems like the bottom is going to fall out. I almost have to stop for the smallest bump I go over. Everytime I take it into the Lincoln dealer they say suspension checks out fine. Bought new tires and it didn't make a difference.
Have tried all the different ride controls on it, but doesn't make a difference. This car has the worst suspension system of any car I've had in the last 50 years. I'm not about to spend thousands on getting a different wheel size. I will keep this car because on an expressway it's super smooth, but this is not a good car for Michigan roads where everywhere you go the road is buckled or full of pot holes.
vinaygoel2000
Senior Member
Something doesn't seem right. I have 255/45/20 and don't experience and thump. Suspension and ride is smooth.
Can you check under left side odometer settings with steering wheel buttons to make sure you have the car in "Comfort Mode"?
Can you check under left side odometer settings with steering wheel buttons to make sure you have the car in "Comfort Mode"?
Tried the comfort mode and it did not make a difference.
RedGeminiPA
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Mine rides like a stone wagon, too. For a Lincoln, it has a horrible ride. I test drove a base model Kia Rio yesterday, and it was smoother than my Lincoln. My mom's '16 is smoother (a LOT less miles), but I can't say there's anything luxurious about the ride, or rear seat road noise, for that matter.
From what I hear this particular problem is for the 20" wheels. I've read that people have switched to 18's
and have had a much smoother ride. Also they say you need the 20's if you have the tow package, which I do, but will never use.
and have had a much smoother ride. Also they say you need the 20's if you have the tow package, which I do, but will never use.
SGilbert
Senior Member
Who ever "they" are---are nuts! 20" tires will necessarily have smaller aspect as opposed to 18" or 19". the larger the aspect, the greater the weight capacity can be, depending upon construction.
Regardless about the tow package, the 20" wheels on this car are terrible on bad roads. Seems there is no dampening at all, you feel every bump.
Either the Lincoln dealer lied about nothing wrong with suspension (and why would he not want to make more money) or the 20" wheels are
just not a good fit for this car.
Either the Lincoln dealer lied about nothing wrong with suspension (and why would he not want to make more money) or the 20" wheels are
just not a good fit for this car.
SGilbert
Senior Member
Agreed! My '11 with 20's are quite harsh! Certainly not the soft glide that Lincoln used to be famous for.
jtotton
New member
Mine is s 2011 MKT. I had noticed this *thud*, but shrugged! "Old car!" I thought. I took it into the dealer for a "check engine" light and they also road tested it as I know it needs a brake job. The service advisor tells me I need to replace the control arm - safety issue! That, with the alignment, brake job and a few other assorted sundries, reminds me that there is no such thing as a "free ride". I paid cash and was looking forward to zero car payments. Instead, I am paying for lots of repairs!
vinaygoel2000
Senior Member
If you car is paid off (or out of warranty), why take it to a dealer? Why not a good ol' mechanic? Everyone knows how to repair Ford/Lincoln or any american brand.
RedGeminiPA
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Odds are, new control arms won't make the thud go away. One of mine were replaced due to a minor accident, and the noise didn't go away. New sway bar end links didn't help, either. I've learned to live with it until it's time to unload it.
It was just in for a water pump and timing chain job for almost $2,200, which my 3rd party warranty covered about $1,500 of it. Timing chain, tensioner, serpentine belt tensioner, oil dipstick nor fluids were covered, so my part of the job ended up being about $650. When I got it back, it was leaking gas from the high pressure fuel line. The dealer picked it up, fixed it, and returned it to me yesterday. Fingers crossed it's done with major issues for a while, or at least hope they happen before the warranty expires later this year.
I ended up picking up a 2005 Volvo S80 that needs a little work for a good price, and that'll end up being my daily driver.
dpol06
New member
I have a 2013 MKT 98665 never had a problem with the car so i did a preventive maintinence new brake pads and rotors and all new front and rear shocks and springs hoping a smoother ride but no such luck still rides the same.
truckmen
Member
Somewhere on the forum there was mention of electronic shocks that solved the "clunking" problem. I too, have that same sound and my ride is also harsh. I also have the 20" wheels and am sure with the taller sidewall, the 18" would give back a noticeably smoother ride.
I'll try to locate that other post and after I finally get home (I drive professionally over-the-road and away for 6 days at a time) and do a search for where my burning oil smell is coming from will also look at what to do about that "clunk".
Observation of my harsh ride notwithstanding, I absolutely LOVE this MKT purchased used with 65,000+ miles on the odometer. My wife and I have this car since this past March (2021) and I've not had one minute of buyer's remorse.
Oh, by the way, we also own a 2013 Xterra and talk about a rough ride, bad seats and crappy transmission shifting, no, the MKT is still a beaut!
Ralph
I'll try to locate that other post and after I finally get home (I drive professionally over-the-road and away for 6 days at a time) and do a search for where my burning oil smell is coming from will also look at what to do about that "clunk".
Observation of my harsh ride notwithstanding, I absolutely LOVE this MKT purchased used with 65,000+ miles on the odometer. My wife and I have this car since this past March (2021) and I've not had one minute of buyer's remorse.
Oh, by the way, we also own a 2013 Xterra and talk about a rough ride, bad seats and crappy transmission shifting, no, the MKT is still a beaut!
Ralph
RedGeminiPA
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Mine has the adaptive suspension (electronic), and the dealer replaced the left front due to a minor accident. They also replaced the control arm, wheel hub assembly, steering knuckle and strut bearing, and the clunks didn't improve. Even replacing sway bar links did nothing. I'm starting to wonder if it could be sway bar bushings, or maybe subframe bushings.
Mine also has an odd metallic popping sound when the chassis flexes, and it sounds like it's coming from somewhere along the roof on the driver's side. I can't pinpoint it, since it seems to move around. Opening the sunroof makes no change, so I think I can rule that out.
Mine also has an odd metallic popping sound when the chassis flexes, and it sounds like it's coming from somewhere along the roof on the driver's side. I can't pinpoint it, since it seems to move around. Opening the sunroof makes no change, so I think I can rule that out.
truckmen
Member
I get a singular metallic popping sound too when electronically closing the hatchback.
Sephirot
Member
Adaptive suspension and had the same case. Just had some repairs done and the machanic did not screw good enough the stabilizer link. Sound was horrible, thought the front right wheel might fall out any moment. It took like 5 minutes to fix this, including taking down the tire.
RedGeminiPA
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That's pretty much the sound I get, but during chassis flex. I'm tempted to change the struts on the hatch to see if that's the source of the popping sound. I'm thinking the sound would travel pretty easily to the front, since it's almost a straight line through that section of the roof. I did apply some grease on the strut ends to see if it would help, but made no difference.
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