TA_Freak

I found a place called Perfect Performance in Roswell (for fellow Georgians). If anyone has feedback on them, I'd appreciate hearing about it. They were recommended by a co-worker and are willing to align ther TA to my specs.

TA_Freak

Today I pulled the A-Arms and shocks. In addition to the bushing that is ragged out in that pic, the other bushing on that arm that goes in horizontally is walking. I've got all my bushings in the freezer tonight and am going to press them in tomorrow and get my STRs installed as well. I've got some Moog lower ball joints coming for tomorrow as well.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

In to follow your progress because of similar recent experiences with our cars ... Cracked collar on our Buick Terraza van caused the steering to do what you described. Yep! Recently did all the front bushings on my DD Formula (175k) and that's my impression.

I had to have the front crank seal done along with the power steering pump while the front end was being done because both were leaking badly.

I used all Moog pieces except for the sway bar bushings and links and couldn't be happier with how the car feels! Good luck!

TA_Freak

Thanks for the reply! Yesterday was tear down day. A few times during the day I thought, man I'm getting too old for this - although I'm 59 and am grovelling on the ground without a creeper. A lift may be in my near future if I'm going to keep on going like this. This is the very reason why I've been able to keep this thing as a solid DD for the last 17 years.

After inspecting those bushings, They're weak and cracking and dry rotted. It's been 110,000 miles since I replaced them. That was 6 years ago. They're all Moogs too. The lower ball joints are some off brand but today I'm pressing some good Moog's in.

TA_Freak

Here are some pics that probably explain why my steering is so erratic:
NOTE: These are Moog's with 110k / 6 years.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Needless to say, those things are TOAST. Disappointing, in that I would hope for a longer service life than 6yrs/110k from Moog pieces.

The sleeve of some of my bushings had completely separated from the rubber, but these were factory parts 20 years old. I also didn't have any steering slop, just clunking noises and impact harshness.

We're about the same age, but I don't have the time, equipment, or ability to do all that kind of work myself - kudos to you! I left my car at my buddy's shop for a week while I was back in CA, and came back to a whole new car. I hope you have the same result! I'm hoping mine will be good to go for four more years of daily driving until retirement, and then intermittent use afterward, at about 210k.

TA_Freak

They're definitely toast. Sounds like we're in the same boat. I am looking to retire in around 5 years as well. I'm starting to think that I want to go after market with my control arms.

TA_Freak

Any recommendations on upper and lower tubular control arms? BMR, UMI, Spohn?

TA_Freak

BMR it is.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I just had my stockers re-bushed and replaced the balljoints with Moog. If I was doing the job myself, certainly it would be easier to simply replace the arms. In fact, I did consider just using Mevotech lowers, but the consensus on here was that inexpensive price was a reflection of poor quality bushings and balljoints.

I paid the extra money for the more expensive Moog pieces and the labor to install them, and certainly hope I get more life out of them than you did.

TA_Freak

Well ... even though I had already ordered the BMR arms, I was feeling slightly defeated -seeing that I have all the bushings and ball joints ... and a 20 ton press ... duh. So this morning I punched out/in all the stuff. It's too cold to put the parts on today but I can assemble the STRs and do the upper control arms in the shop.
Sorry BMR.

TA_Freak

Good as new!!

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Nice work! Your ride will improve exponentially. It remains to be seen whether it will completely solve your steering issue, however.

TA_Freak

No doubt. The jury is still out, for sure.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

A++

Very nice!

TA_Freak

Well today is the day to get this thing zipped up. I've been driving an `07 G6 all week; that ain't me. LOL. One of my co-workers asked if I felt less manly in it. What I heard was, "you're manly as hell in that Trans Am."

I am not going to do anything to the upper control arms and ball joints. The rubber and balljoints are still good as new; they don't take the brunt of it like the lowers.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Don't let the bullies get to you. If you start feeling down, just go to the mirror for some affirmation...

TA_Freak

Ha!!

TA_Freak

Oh ... a little side note. If you ever assemble your shocks without paying attention to the orientation, you can mount them and use vice-grips to spin the lower part of the shock.

TA_Freak

Another piece of advice: when you go to re-assemble everything, have your spindle and rotor on a floor jack - not on something stationary .... otherwise you will be fighting it get that LCA back in. It needs to jack upwards.