I'm going to need front wheel bearings on my '02 Cougar soon. I see that the whole knuckle has to come off and a new bearing will need to be pressed in. The car has 85k miles on it, and I was thinking that it might be a good idea to change out some other parts (struts, tie rod ends, lower ball joints) while everything is apart. Would this be a good idea, or a waste of money at 85k?
'02 Cougar Front End--What Would You Change?
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It depends on the condition. Given the age of the vehicle, the item with the highest probability of needing replacement are the struts.
The others can be checked while you are there. Off hand, I think the tie rods ends are least likely to need replacement. Unless of course there is a known issue this this car, or you are having a problem.
YMMV.
The others can be checked while you are there. Off hand, I think the tie rods ends are least likely to need replacement. Unless of course there is a known issue this this car, or you are having a problem.
YMMV.
I would replace the whole knuckle with a used one- sometimes the press won't work do to the amount of rust. Also, the cost of a used knuckle is around 100 vs 300 for the bearing -at least that was the case for my 2003 Maxima
Shocks and struts and tie rods on the other hand, I always buy new.
Shocks and struts and tie rods on the other hand, I always buy new.
OE ball joints and TREs are often better than aftermarket, unless you get top shelf Moog "problem solvers". There's a spring in the ball joint that takes up slack until, well, it's shot, so it's hard to say.
But I'd leave the rest of the stuff all alone. I generally run into steering stuff problems at 150-175k miles on the frost heave-y, potholey roads around here.
But I'd leave the rest of the stuff all alone. I generally run into steering stuff problems at 150-175k miles on the frost heave-y, potholey roads around here.
I used to have a '99 Cougar.
The control arm bushings went at 150K, and a transmission line rusted at 190K. Speaking of the transmission, you might want to swap out some of the transmission fluid on a regular basis.
Also of note, aftermarket control arm bushings were not available, so I replaced the complete control arm. The rusted transmission line resulted in a major transmission repair.
The control arm bushings went at 150K, and a transmission line rusted at 190K. Speaking of the transmission, you might want to swap out some of the transmission fluid on a regular basis.
Also of note, aftermarket control arm bushings were not available, so I replaced the complete control arm. The rusted transmission line resulted in a major transmission repair.
Everything you said and strut mounts. Oh, and possibly front LCAs.
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Given the age of the car, pull back the rack and pinion boots and check for leaking oil inside. It is easier to replace a PS rack with all that other stuff out of the way.
When replacing a PS rack, I always replace outer tierod ends. I end up having to beat up the original ones every time.
Also, MOOG isn't the only good brand. Raybestos premium is good too.
When replacing a PS rack, I always replace outer tierod ends. I end up having to beat up the original ones every time.
Also, MOOG isn't the only good brand. Raybestos premium is good too.
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