Crown Vic Hubcap & Brake Problems?

[rcordes]

Our fleet of 2000 Crown Vics has had recurring problems with the full size hubcaps falling off, and the brakes overheating. Our mechanic believes the full size hubcaps prevent proper cooling, and may also cause damage to the brakes and rear end. Has anyone else had a similar problem, and if so, has the problem been corrected by going to the smaller size hubcap?

[Kaos]

Yes, The hubcaps on our 16" rims have a problem staying on. We were told that Ford has a recall on them and will replace them for the smaller center caps if you lose them.
We don't have that overheating problem, I think your mechanic has smelled too much brake dust http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif.

[Niteshift]

The 16" hbcaps are flying all over the place. Like kaos said, call Ford and they'll replace them. Personally, I think the replacements look better.

As much as I like the CV (I really do), their brakes have always been their biggest downfall. Overheating isn't a new thing with the CV.

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Niteshift-
Perseverate In Pugna

[FLLawdog]

Our '99's came with the dog dish caps and supposedly Ford brakes instead of NAPA. The '00's came with the full caps. I'm waiting on a "problem" to arise on mine so I can get the dog dishes. The '01's are coming out with the dog dishes as standard.

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[R.White]

This year's Florida Sheriffs Assoc. statewide contract bid, which we buy from, for a welcomed change, now offers both full sized wheel covers & hub caps. Definitely go with the "caps". We've had problems with wheel covers falling off and making "creeking" noises but no overheating problems have been reported. But, with a city full of retirees, we don't do much high speed stuff, so we might not notice! RW

[THE BRONZE]

I

[Niteshift]

It's not just you Jim.

As much as I prefer the CV over the Caprice (and I won't debate this), the Caprice always had better brakes. The CV's will fade after 3 hard applications. The Caprice had those massive brakes and they worked great. Ford should take the hint.

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Niteshift-
Perseverate In Pugna

[THE BRONZE]

While they're at it, they can take the hint on the engine, too. There is no replacement for displacement. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Jim

[Venim]

Well I have to agree with the majority here and say that the brakes in the Crown Vics do fade rather quickly. I have had the oppurtunity to drive a Caprice a few times and I loved it's acceleration, that thing is fast, but the only problem I had is that the tail end would creep up on you if you were not carefull (Used to driving a Crown Vic Police Interceptor, not a Mad Max Beyound thunderdom Police Interceptor) I must say the brakes in the Chevy is alot better than the Ford, but since the Department didn't make the Chevy's slick top and the Crown Vics are, i have to stick with it.

[This message has been edited by Venim (edited 12-02-2000).]

[D. Ridley]

Someone mentioned creeking noises coming from the wheel covers. The wheel covers on our '99 CV creek like you wouldn't believe. So much for trying to sneak up on somebody. Does any body know how to stop the noise? We think the noise is caused by the covers flexing on the wheel.

[Steve in PA]

I may have been the one who posted about the creeking hubcaps on out '99 CV...I mean it was horrible. Yes, forget about sneaking up on someone....when I am on the midnight shift driving around some of our developments I would kill the lights and just cruiser the streets....forget it!! Any BG would hear me coming a mile away. We finally lost the right front hubcap...and the creeking from the others has seemed to have stopped. Solution?? Beats the hell out of me. I heard there was a recall from Ford on the hubcaps...and they would supply the center caps in place of them.

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Steve

[Ksfuzz]

As for the creaking hubcaps....

We whined a whole lot and got the chief to buy the smaller ones! Was very hard sneaking up on people with hubcaps that could be heard squeaking 10 blocks away!

Now we just have to put up with the other squeaking CV parts!

[hoodcatcher]

We had that prob. w/our 99's too. We got some special hubcaps form a distributor other than ford and they work great. Brakes get air and we have yet to lose one.

If I can find out who we got them from ill post it for everyone

[THE BRONZE]

It looks like my car will be a test vehicle yet again. While getting new tires on Thursday, one of the big cheeses at the garage asked me if I would mind trying a new kind of brake pad. They are made of a ceramic material. He said they don

[D. Ridley]

Hoodcatcher, I'll keep an eye out for that distributor you mentioned. I appreciate everyones comments on the creeking wheel covers.

[CajunKnight]

Jim
We have tried the ceramic pads and didnt find a significant difference to offset the cost of the pads (almost double the cost of standard ones) in fact the complaint we got was that the ceramic pads didnt stop as well as the originals.

Brakes use heat to stop your vehicle although to much heat is not good not enuff heat is just as bad. we went back to original type pads and hope that one day they will start using asbestos in the pads again (Bad on the lungs but works great on brakes)and any of the organic type pads you get will be noisyand it is a fact of life for now unfortunately. As far as the hub caps causing excess heat, we have not had that problem as of yet the problem we have is Deputies being to hard on the brakes and it doesnt matter which cap is on the car the same guys and gals still have the same problems.
And thanks for the info on Ford replacing the caps I am going to check on this as soon as possible cuz I like the smaller ones myself.

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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and taste like chicken.

[THE BRONZE]

[b]

[CajunKnight]

About the hubcaps if you call 1-800-343-5338
and give them a list of the vin numbers for your 98 and 99 crowns they will give you a confirmation to call your ford dealer and get the smaller center caps at a cost of $20.00 per car will also apply to any 2000 models you have with the large caps I made the call today. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and taste like chicken.

[gegilk]

the cars are recalled for that reason if the dealer does not fix them go to the ford web site and pull the recall notice

[CajunKnight]

This is not a recall it is a good faith act by Ford Motor Co to assist police with a complaint they have. It is good for police vehicles only. So you may not find it on the web site

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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and taste like chicken.

[Bob A]

It's kind of a moot point now, since they're going to cease production. We already have one of the new Impalas. Nice car, but I have my doubts about whether it will hold up to LE abuse.

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It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

[Dave T]

Bronze,

Check the N&O today (Tue). NCHP buying 100 new 300+ HP Camaros (Tested to 156 MPH). Think the boro will buy you one? If so tell them its cheeper by the bunch and get me one too!!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Checked the station - not too many hubcaps left on the 2000's. this will be about the 5th recall - how does Ford expect to make a profit? http://www.officer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

In regard to the Caprice - I agree on the brakes but I thought the rear end was a little too light making the car hazardous in rain and snow (not that we get much of that).

Rolled through town on Sat. (from Huntersville) thought I might catch you on 85.

Stay Safe

Dave

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"There is true glory and true honor, the glory of duty done and the honor of integrity and principles." - Robert E. Lee

[This message has been edited by Dave T (edited 12-26-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dave T (edited 12-26-2000).]

[THE BRONZE]

Dave T, I stick to I-40 west of the 85 split. Also, today was my first day back in over a week. I was carrying too much vacation time and had to take some before they took it away.
I don't think we'll see any Camaros here. I tried for a GHSP grant to get us a few, but it fell on deaf ears. Out traffic division was trying to get a few, but now the enforcement section is going the way of the Dodo Bird.
Did Ford change the hubcaps for 2000? My 99 hasn't lost one, and I go through some rough areas.

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Jim

[unhappycop]

In NSW, Australia, we receive all our police cars WITHOUT hubcaps and with the silver coloured airflow rims, which prevents unfortunate civilians being decapitated by hubcaps flying off a passing police cars, travelling at speed. http://www.officer.com/ubb/eek.gif

Also assists in brake cooling.

common sense?