Time for the work up front...

[daves87rs]

Okay...Last fall I did some work on the back of my wife's Cavalier...and the car handles much better because of it. In a few weeks here (slightly warmer weather), I will be doing the struts on the front of it.

The question I have is that at 8 years and almost 75k, should I think about doing anything else up front? (ie, maybe brushings and such)Car still handles and drives well for it's age, and I plan to keep it in the family for a while. I'll be using Sensa trac quick struts (same as rear), and whatever else I add to the list? Suggestions?

 

[mechanicx]

When you install the quick struts you will need an alignment including camber so it is tempting to replace everything that needs it so it's only one alignment. But if you only have 75K miles and there's no play or handling issues, I would just leave the rest of the suspension alone for now. It could be a long time if ever before you need a tie rod or control arm bushings.

 

[mechtech2]

Certainly check the outer tie rod ends for play.
A good quick check for civilians is to have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth rapidly an inch or two, while someone else looks for what is moving/not moving underneath.
Loose parts are evident this way.
Sway bar end links are easy to change [hacksaw or otherwise cut them off - don't waste time trying to unscrew them!]. New ones, esp made of harder urethane can make the car feel new, and handle much flatter. Cheap, too.

If you can, put 50 miles on the new parts before an alignment.
Get front and back done, and get a printout and guarantee.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
When you install the quick struts you will need an alignment including camber so it is tempting to replace everything that needs it so it's only one alignment. But if you only have 75K miles and there's no play or handling issues, I would just leave the rest of the suspension alone for now. It could be a long time if ever before you need a tie rod or control arm bushings.



Very true...car has no issues...tight a true, at least for now.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Certainly check the outer tie rod ends for play.
A good quick check for civilians is to have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth rapidly an inch or two, while someone else looks for what is moving/not moving underneath.
Loose parts are evident this way.
Sway bar end links are easy to change [hacksaw or otherwise cut them off - don't waste time trying to unscrew them!]. New ones, esp made of harder urethane can make the car feel new, and handle much flatter. Cheap, too.

If you can, put 50 miles on the new parts before an alignment.
Get front and back done, and get a printout and guarantee.




Will do. A buddy offered to help me with this, so we will check it out...

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Certainly check the outer tie rod ends for play.
A good quick check for civilians is to have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth rapidly an inch or two, while someone else looks for what is moving/not moving underneath.
Loose parts are evident this way.
Sway bar end links are easy to change [hacksaw or otherwise cut them off - don't waste time trying to unscrew them!]. New ones, esp made of harder urethane can make the car feel new, and handle much flatter. Cheap, too.

If you can, put 50 miles on the new parts before an alignment.
Get front and back done, and get a printout and guarantee.


True! I just changed out my LCAs, Tie Rods and Rear Sway bar links and its very flat taking turns now. Its kind of nice.