6th Gen ('00-'05): What order to replace front suspension parts?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 41
From: oklahoma/alabama
What order to replace front suspension parts?
2004 Monte has 220,000 miles and the front suspension needs work. What is the logical order to start replacing parts? Should I replace everything at once or can i break it up into segments? All advice is welcome. Thanks
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
After 220K, unless you know what's been replaced in the past I would replace pretty much everything in this order:
1. Struts
2. Ball joints/control arms (original ball joints are riveted to control arms so it's just
easier to replace the control arms.
3. Outer tie-rod ends
4. Stabilizer bar links
If it's in your budget and plan to keep the car I would also replace the CV axles and wheel hubs since they are easy to get to with things apart.
1. Struts
2. Ball joints/control arms (original ball joints are riveted to control arms so it's just
easier to replace the control arms.
3. Outer tie-rod ends
4. Stabilizer bar links
If it's in your budget and plan to keep the car I would also replace the CV axles and wheel hubs since they are easy to get to with things apart.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,446
I think that second part is the big one. No offense intended, but you do have to keep in mind that the car's value is near zero with that kind of age & mileage. So you just have to realize that any money you put into it is probably going to be gone forever.
If you intend to drive it for a significant amount more time then maybe it's worth it. But if you're just trying to get it through one more year or if you would scrap it immediately if something major failed (ie engine, trans, etc) then it's probably best to just stick to what is absolutely necessary.
As far as replacing stuff, I think a thorough inspection is the best starting point. Get the front end up and look at the various bushings and end play and make note of the components with issues. Certainly anywhere there is a bushing or a moving component, you need to check that, but you also should check hard parts for cracking, bends, rust damage, etc.
When shopping for replacement parts, you also need to consider the end game. I bet you could wrap up $1500+ in replacing everything with top of the line stuff. But again, if you're just going to keep it for a short time, then maybe an economy replacement would be a better bet.
Personally, Id do everything that's needed in one shot. Some of the components impact alignment so youd rather only have to do that one time. I also find it easier to only tear everything down one time.
If you intend to drive it for a significant amount more time then maybe it's worth it. But if you're just trying to get it through one more year or if you would scrap it immediately if something major failed (ie engine, trans, etc) then it's probably best to just stick to what is absolutely necessary.
As far as replacing stuff, I think a thorough inspection is the best starting point. Get the front end up and look at the various bushings and end play and make note of the components with issues. Certainly anywhere there is a bushing or a moving component, you need to check that, but you also should check hard parts for cracking, bends, rust damage, etc.
When shopping for replacement parts, you also need to consider the end game. I bet you could wrap up $1500+ in replacing everything with top of the line stuff. But again, if you're just going to keep it for a short time, then maybe an economy replacement would be a better bet.
Personally, Id do everything that's needed in one shot. Some of the components impact alignment so youd rather only have to do that one time. I also find it easier to only tear everything down one time.
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
[QUOTE=bumpin96monte;709241]I think that second part is the big one. No offense intended, but you do have to keep in mind that the car's value is near zero with that kind of age & mileage. So you just have to realize that any money you put into it is probably going to be gone forever.
If you intend to drive it for a significant amount more time then maybe it's worth it. But if you're just trying to get it through one more year or if you would scrap it immediately if something major failed (ie engine, trans, etc) then it's probably best to just stick to what is absolutely necessary.
As far as replacing stuff, I think a thorough inspection is the best starting point. Get the front end up and look at the various bushings and end play and make note of the components with issues. Certainly anywhere there is a bushing or a moving component, you need to check that, but you also should check hard parts for cracking, bends, rust damage, etc.
When shopping for replacement parts, you also need to consider the end game. I bet you could wrap up $1500+ in replacing everything with top of the line stuff. But again, if you're just going to keep it for a short time, then maybe an economy replacement would be a better bet.
Personally, Id do everything that's needed in one shot. Some of the components impact alignment so youd rather only have to do that one time. I also find it easier to only tear everything down one time.[/QUOTE
I totally agree. I put the struts first because with the two 2000SS's I just did this to the struts were so bad, front and rear it was like fishtailing in gravel at higher speeds and they have lower (140K) miles. The rear struts made a huge difference. A good test for struts is to push down hard on the fender of the one your testing. It should spring back to the original position and not bounce up and down at all.
If you intend to drive it for a significant amount more time then maybe it's worth it. But if you're just trying to get it through one more year or if you would scrap it immediately if something major failed (ie engine, trans, etc) then it's probably best to just stick to what is absolutely necessary.
As far as replacing stuff, I think a thorough inspection is the best starting point. Get the front end up and look at the various bushings and end play and make note of the components with issues. Certainly anywhere there is a bushing or a moving component, you need to check that, but you also should check hard parts for cracking, bends, rust damage, etc.
When shopping for replacement parts, you also need to consider the end game. I bet you could wrap up $1500+ in replacing everything with top of the line stuff. But again, if you're just going to keep it for a short time, then maybe an economy replacement would be a better bet.
Personally, Id do everything that's needed in one shot. Some of the components impact alignment so youd rather only have to do that one time. I also find it easier to only tear everything down one time.[/QUOTE
I totally agree. I put the struts first because with the two 2000SS's I just did this to the struts were so bad, front and rear it was like fishtailing in gravel at higher speeds and they have lower (140K) miles. The rear struts made a huge difference. A good test for struts is to push down hard on the fender of the one your testing. It should spring back to the original position and not bounce up and down at all.