Thread: suspension replacement questions..

I am debatting if I should overhaul my supension.. 12 years and 82k miles.. it might be time.. my mechanic tells me they are worn... could probably just live with it but I am anal like that...

So what kind of struts/springs? Monre all in one? Senatrac? I think its $104 apiece. And they have a pomotion buy 3 get onefree... my mechanic alos tells me he may have to replace the sway bar links and bushings.. just depends how it comes off.. what else should I replace? Control arm and bushings? What other bushings?

What's better dorman or moog parts?

What are the ball joints and should I replace those?

How often do we need to replace the cv axle? He tells me therfe is a little grease coming out..

So please recommend some parts..

I chose the Monroe Quick Strut Assembly (MONROE 171661). I was gonna go with just the strut alone but my springs are probably shot after 135K miles. It will also be easier for me to do the job. I like MOOG parts when replacing front end stuff. I've been using MOOG for a really long time and never had an issue. I didn't think about the sway bar links and bushings. I think I better look into that. It only makes sense to do it all at once and be finished with it. Here is the link to the assembly I'm going to get. MONROE 171661 Chevy Allure Century Impala Front Shock Strut LH Left or RH Right | eBay

I haven't been able to find the entire assembly cheaper so far.

you can just change the ball joints but its not worth the work, just get new lower control arms. ( lca's) dorman work fine, moog are nicer and have grease fittings. the dormans can be found for about 40 a side.

but the lca's on line for the best price possible. rockauto, or partsgeek both have good prices. and amazon

i got a reman axle from napa, its been in there almost a year, no issues so far. cost about 65 i think.

oh and your going to need new end links for the sway bar, they never come off.

check the sway bar ends for cracks or broken off as well.

new solid dorman sway bar comes complete with all new bushing end links bolts and caps for 70 and up on line, or local 120.

Rear sway bar never needs to be replaced unless you want to upgrade it for whatever reason.

I've always ran Napa axles, never had an issue with them.

If you want to just update the suspension then stick with the most basic and economical parts. Monroe quick struts, dorman LCA's, moog endlinks for the front and rear and some tie rods. The sway bar bushings should still be good, unless they are torn. If you want a strut that is a little better than stock then look into the KYB's. They also sell quick struts but are more expensive than the monroes. One of the biggest complaints about the monroes is that they are too soft and don't dampen to well. It all depends on what your plans are for the car.

i just bough Gabriel ultras from autozone for a decent price, they have a lifetime warranty on them so when my eibach springs wear them out i can just get new ones lol

if you want to go stock the buy a complete strut with the springs already on it'll make it easier on yourself

Which cv axle shoul I get? Rockauto recommends the Cardone select part # 661255

How are mevotech parts for the suspension components? Their bushing are the polyurethane type..

I'm not even sure I need to do this.. but here is my shopping cart so far.. Any comments?
I am not sure what bushings to get for the sway bars? My front Sway bar is the GMPP bar. There seems to be different diameters.. Should i replace the whole rear sway bar with a GMPP part? I think its $70.00. the rear links and bushings are probably $30.00..

CARDONE SELECT Part # 661255 Does Not Include Retaining Clip New CARDONE Select Constant Velocity Drive Axle W/ or W/O ABS; Front Left A	$43.79			$43.79
MONROE Part # 171662L Quick-Strut (Rebate/Promotion Available!) Rear Left C	$104.79			$104.79
MONROE Part # 171662R Quick-Strut (Rebate/Promotion Available!) Rear Right A	$104.79			$104.79
MONROE Part # 171661 Quick-Strut (Rebate/Promotion Available!) Front A	$104.99			$209.98
DORMAN Part # 905501 {#10244461, 10282766, 1033308, 10333308, 10409660, 15820927, 15856683, 25990164} TRAILING ARM Rear Right Rear Left B	$11.64			$23.28
MEVOTECH Part # MK5342 {#K5342} Polyurethane Bushings Stabilizer Bar Link Kit IMPROVED DESIGN; Front B	$3.34			$6.68
MEVOTECH Part # MK6662 {#K6662} Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Rear B	$12.29			$24.58
B
DORMAN Part # 090091 {#0900911, 11518377, 24100042, 365454, 65372, 8115183770, 8241000420, 88891787} Magnetic; Thread Size; M12-1.75; Under-Head Length: 30.22mm; Head Size: 15mm; Head Style: Flanged Hex M12-1.75 Thd B	$2.83			$2.83
DORMAN Part # 520167 {#10328903} LOWER CONTROL ARM Includes Ball Joint and Bushings; Front Left Lower B	$41.79			$41.79
DORMAN Part # 520168 {#10328904} LOWER CONTROL ARM Includes Ball Joint and Bushings; Front Right Lower B	$41.79			$41.79

rustoleum wont get it done. por-15 will though, it stops rust in its tracks. also costs about 30 bucks a quart.

call your local parts stores. some may have it.

when you do get it, do nothing more then a wire brush to the rusted area and pull off large flakes or loose pieces. dust it off, and then paint it.

do not sand it clean and smooth, it needs to bond to the rust thats there.

wire brush the rust, then paint it with por, after it dries your done. i'd also do out side in the matching area.

leave that caulk, is body sealant from the factory.

yeah its not cheap, por is black as it is, so if un seen leave it alone. you can paint it if you want, not needed though.

oh to post pics, open up a photobucket account. up load your pic to that site, then open the pic there, copy the dirct link and paste it into the icon for pics in the reply box icon. in the task bar at the top of its window.