Lincoln/Mercury Repair: 1996 Transmission leak, mecury sable, menice

Question
I have a 1996 Mecury Sable GS.  Three years ago I took it to a guy to have it rebuilt and he ruin the car, but we had a Mercury Repair shop fix everything he messed up. And I have been scared to drive it so it has been sitting up and only driven about once a week about 10 miles. But about my questions. I drove it last week and I notice a jerking when I stoped at a red light, so I came home and parked it.  I check the fluid and it was dry, so I put 1/2 quart in and check still dry, then the whole quart and when I started the car I noticed two pipes going into the radiator were leaking the fluid at the nuts and I am able to push the pipes and they look like they are missing something around the bolts. I had a friend I trust look and he said that it was missing clips or something.  If I buy these "Cooler Bolts" could this stop the leaking and how hard is it to replace.  Do I need special tools? Do I need to take nuts off? Do the cooler bolts go behind the nuts.  Pleas I know that I'm a woman but I want to make sure the problem is done correct.  Advise if I should take to a shop and what I should expect, I want to sound like I know what I'm talking about if I take it to a shop.
Thanks for any advise!
Stephanie

Answer
Hi Steph!

Those darn cooler lines are a menice. I would take it to a shop and have them repair the lines. A good transmission shop can modify these so this won't happen again. I love Fords, but sometimes... Well, it shouldn't be real expensive. If you have a Cottman Transmission near by, tell them you have an old family friend that manages a center in Las Vegas. Tell him I asked them to "take care of you". He might even do it for free. I would.  Hope this helps. www.cottman.com for one near you.