Hey guys. I have a 91 RS with about 150k on the chassis. Its my daily driver and the suspension is just SHOT. Rides like a lumber wagon and sounds like sleigh bells when I go over any bumps. ( washers etc clanging around). Along with the slams and bangs. Also when I hang a sharp left turn I get this horrible hollow pop. I know im going to need to replace pretty much everything under this darn car. But my question is where do I start? struts first? And can this be done in my driveway? Thanks for any help.

 

Struts and shocks. Yes, but you'll need an alignment.

JamesC

 

Thank you James. Btw, anyone know of any decent budget struts/shocks? I don't road race the thing Just need something smooth and decently priced.

 

You might consider a searching the following site for some ideas:

http://www.shox.com/

JamesC

 

If you have to replace anything else in the steering linkage you may want to do it all at once rather than having to get it aligned again. If you're unsure you can take it by an alignment place and have them inspect it and show you what's worn. Just make sure they understand not to fix anything without your OK.

Depending on your comfort level you may or may not want to tackle ball joints. Everything else is pretty much bolt on. All the tools can be had from AZ.

For a daily driver on a budget you may want to look at a set of Monroes. All four can be had for just over $100. I've not been happy with the next step up, KYB's, but that's just my opinion.

 

awesome. Thats right in my price range naf. Thanks.

 

That clinking metallic chain sound you are hearing are the sway bar end links. easy fix, they tie the ends of the sway bar to the a arm. You will need a 13MM and a 14 MM wrench to get them off. Get the HD end links, most of the time they are poly (moog and TRW). As for other manufactures I am not sure about.


Cheers!!

 

sorry to resurrect and old thread. Just now getting around to purchasing parts. I'm still not sure what the loud ugly POP! noise is when I turn sharp then turn. Say im stopped and turn the wheel all the way to the right..then start moving I hear the POP! like a hollow loud noise. Any Ideas what this is?

 

I'd guess ball joint.

JamesC

 

...or tie rod end. It's really just guessing til you get under there and start checking.

 

That popping sound isn't necessarily anything to worry about. My IROC did exactly that when I got it and it only had about 30,000 miles on it then. However, with 150K miles, you're going to need to replace pretty much everything.

Myself, I'd start out buying ball joints, A-arm bushings and front struts. That way you'll be done with the hardest stuff all at once and not have to pull the Arm off again. This stuff alone shouldn't change you're alignment too much by itself and may actually help without going to the shop.

Then, when the money's there, get inner and outer tie rod ends and new adjuster sleeves. Now you'll definitely have to get it aligned.

Then change out your idler arm and sway bar end link bushings. You might also need a pitman arm, but maybe not. For some reason pitman arms seem to last about forever. You shouldn't need another alignment after changing the idler arm. Might not be a bad idea to got one of Midas' lifetime alignments, though, just in case.

After you're all done in front, get your new rear shocks and start replacing bushings and such in the back.

 

He's right. I just did this and still should do the idler arm and maybe even the pitman.

Tie rod ends
Centerlink
Struts (KYB GR2's still)
I did the ball joints about 7 months ago

I was bouncing off the road before those and I was at 183K on the clock.

Pretty tight now. Just a few more tweaks!

 

FYI: The pitman arm is a non-wear item.

JamesC

 

thanks alot. Im on a tight budget at the moment and just need a good place to start.

 

About a month ago I took mine in to have it aligned. I was getting some serious tire wear on the outside of the front tires. The (nation-wide) shop I took it to, got it in the air, and proceeded to tell me for an additional $450 they would replace the center draglink and the idler arm. This was going to be necessary before they did the alignment. I had them get my car off their lift. Went to Advance, bought the idler and draglink for less than $75 and installed them both in about 45 minutes.

Don't get ripped off.