front end fix
08-26-2011, 02:59 PM
#1
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front end fix So i've been thinking about doing some fixes to my front end on my 93 Z. here are the problems:
A lot of play in the wheel
bump steers
steering wheel shakes a tad at 50 or above
when swerving back and forth the car seems to sway alot and it doesnt feel as responsive when i turn the wheel back and forth (i dont mean in a power steering way)
would replacing all bushings help or should i get all new tie rods and control arms?
hit me with any idea's...thanks
A lot of play in the wheel
bump steers
steering wheel shakes a tad at 50 or above
when swerving back and forth the car seems to sway alot and it doesnt feel as responsive when i turn the wheel back and forth (i dont mean in a power steering way)
would replacing all bushings help or should i get all new tie rods and control arms?
hit me with any idea's...thanks
08-27-2011, 01:23 PM
#4
You're talking about a 18 year old car. You don't specify how many miles are on it, but even if it was "low mileage" for it's age, I would dare say that most, if not all, the bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, and steering shaft rag joint are at the end of their life cycle.
If you're mechanically inclined, and have the tools available, $4-500 in parts, and a full weekend's worth of work would have you in shape to get an alignment on Monday, and have a decently driving car.
Not to be a 'wise guy', but since you're asking a pretty basic question on an internet discussion forum, I'm assuming, however, that your mechanical experience is limited. Therefore, if you want the car to be safe to drive, be prepared to open your wallet, and have ALL those parts replaced......
If you're mechanically inclined, and have the tools available, $4-500 in parts, and a full weekend's worth of work would have you in shape to get an alignment on Monday, and have a decently driving car.
Not to be a 'wise guy', but since you're asking a pretty basic question on an internet discussion forum, I'm assuming, however, that your mechanical experience is limited. Therefore, if you want the car to be safe to drive, be prepared to open your wallet, and have ALL those parts replaced......
08-27-2011, 03:24 PM
#5
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You're talking about a 18 year old car. You don't specify how many miles are on it, but even if it was "low mileage" for it's age, I would dare say that most, if not all, the bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, and steering shaft rag joint are at the end of their life cycle.
If you're mechanically inclined, and have the tools available, $4-500 in parts, and a full weekend's worth of work would have you in shape to get an alignment on Monday, and have a decently driving car.
Not to be a 'wise guy', but since you're asking a pretty basic question on an internet discussion forum, I'm assuming, however, that your mechanical experience is limited. Therefore, if you want the car to be safe to drive, be prepared to open your wallet, and have ALL those parts replaced......
If you're mechanically inclined, and have the tools available, $4-500 in parts, and a full weekend's worth of work would have you in shape to get an alignment on Monday, and have a decently driving car.
Not to be a 'wise guy', but since you're asking a pretty basic question on an internet discussion forum, I'm assuming, however, that your mechanical experience is limited. Therefore, if you want the car to be safe to drive, be prepared to open your wallet, and have ALL those parts replaced......
08-28-2011, 12:38 PM
#6
To me, rebuilding a front end is no big deal.....BUT I have ALL the tools, and 40 years of experiencing doing it! I changed out my first set of ball joints in 1970, probably before most of you guys were born....
But if somebody describes his car's symptoms, such as the OP, and then says, "would replacing the bushings help, or do I need tie rods too", it's appears to be VERY obvious his skills are probably limited. Therefore, he better be prepared to "purchase" some experienced help.
The truth sometimes hurts, and stating it doesn't make you a dick!
08-29-2011, 02:00 PM
#7
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no hes right i just started working on my car about a year ago. im only 18 so im just starting to get into the mechanical world but i like to work on my car cuz 1 it doesnt cost as much and u gota start learning somewhere
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08-29-2011, 05:25 PM
#9
Do you think the ball joints are original? A good sign that they are, would be if the uppers are still held in by rivets.
I know that you probably don't want to hear this, but with over 100K miles, replacing all of the "moving parts" in the front end will probably be in order. Ball joints and control arm bushings would be first on my list, as well as a "rag joint eliminator" on the steering shaft. After that, I'd attack the outer tie rods, sway bar links, and sway bar bushings.
The problem you'll have to deal with, beyond the cost, is if you want to do it in stages, which might be dictated by your budget, you might have to spring for more than one front end alignment. Any time you replace worn parts, it affects how the parts sit in relation to each other, which affects how the car sits, which can affect the alignment.
Also, keep in mind, the rear end also has LCA bushings and PHB bushings, which will affetc the car's stability. These are probably in need of replacement also, but the front end parts are more critical to stability and safety.
08-31-2011, 12:41 AM
#10
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yea i was looking at buying one of those master polyurethane bushing sets from hyperflex or something for like $110. if im gunna have to do multiple alignments then ill just do it all once cuz im gunna have to spend the money anyways so mine as well do it and finish with one alignment. i was also looking into having this shop near by that specializes in trans, brakes and suspension. maybe they can tell me exactly what needs to be replaced and should be replaced...i like to work on the motor not the suspension
08-31-2011, 06:10 AM
#11
If you farm the work out, just make sure that the shop has a proper press for removing/installing ball joints. The uppers are very easy to do, but there have been horror stories discussed here on this forum, about lower a-arms that have been bent, by using improper tools/methods to do the lower b/js....
