Front suspension again
04-29-08, 07:59 PM
#1
Front suspension again
I thought I had it fixed but looks like the strut bars are again toasted at about 50K miles. While I was having the tire/wheels balanced, I had Son at Dynamic look over the suspension. Upper and lower CA looked fine but the strut bars showed signs of wear. 
Son relayed this was a poor design on Toyota's part and they knew it. 
So once again, I'll have to go through the routine although I am considering these:
http://www.more-japan.com/Nagisa-Aut...d-p-18368.html
I'm at a toss-up. The car has 124K now and I expect to keep it till 200K. I debate whether these nice strut bars are practical. Your thoughts?
Son relayed this was a poor design on Toyota's part and they knew it. So once again, I'll have to go through the routine although I am considering these:
http://www.more-japan.com/Nagisa-Aut...d-p-18368.html
I'm at a toss-up. The car has 124K now and I expect to keep it till 200K. I debate whether these nice strut bars are practical. Your thoughts?
04-30-08, 08:28 AM
#6
How much does a dealer charge to replace these (labor only)? I bought the strut rods already and tried getting the old ones off, but I can't get enough force on the alignment bolts to break them loose.
04-30-08, 08:51 AM
#7
I thought I had it fixed but looks like the strut bars are again toasted at about 50K miles. While I was having the tire/wheels balanced, I had Son at Dynamic look over the suspension. Upper and lower CA looked fine but the strut bars showed signs of wear. Son relayed this was a poor design on Toyota's part and they knew it.
So once again, I'll have to go through the routine although I am considering these:
http://www.more-japan.com/Nagisa-Aut...d-p-18368.html
I'm at a toss-up. The car has 124K now and I expect to keep it till 200K. I debate whether these nice strut bars are practical. Your thoughts?
Son relayed this was a poor design on Toyota's part and they knew it. So once again, I'll have to go through the routine although I am considering these:
http://www.more-japan.com/Nagisa-Aut...d-p-18368.html
I'm at a toss-up. The car has 124K now and I expect to keep it till 200K. I debate whether these nice strut bars are practical. Your thoughts?
Favor - Can you tell me what the symptoms were of your bad strut bar bushings? Was it steering wandering, vibration, tire wear, etc.? I ask because I have over 210,000 miles and I have never changed mine. Thanks....
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04-30-08, 09:25 AM
#9
The usual clunk when driving over a speed bump or braking. I also am getting feedback through the steering wheel though it is combined with a slightly warped brake rotor...this also shows the looseness in the front end. There are a multitude if symptoms but those are the obvious ones. The often lousy roads in So. Cal don't help in suspension longevity. You would think I was taking this thing off road on dirt and rut ridden trails.
This is a YMMV issue to so if your roads are nice, you may not have to deal with it.
This is a YMMV issue to so if your roads are nice, you may not have to deal with it.
04-30-08, 09:51 AM
#10
Gotcha - wanders, clunking and vibrations. I can't believe mine are not defective after all those miles - like RA40 says maybe due to roads, driving, etc.
For your specific issue I would go with poly's since they will last longer - too bad there is not an easy way to grease them like the energy suspension sway bar bushings - that way they would not be annoyingly loud.
For your specific issue I would go with poly's since they will last longer - too bad there is not an easy way to grease them like the energy suspension sway bar bushings - that way they would not be annoyingly loud.
04-30-08, 11:53 AM
#11
Lexus Champion
Gotcha - wanders, clunking and vibrations. I can't believe mine are not defective after all those miles - like RA40 says maybe due to roads, driving, etc.
For your specific issue I would go with poly's since they will last longer - too bad there is not an easy way to grease them like the energy suspension sway bar bushings - that way they would not be annoyingly loud.
For your specific issue I would go with poly's since they will last longer - too bad there is not an easy way to grease them like the energy suspension sway bar bushings - that way they would not be annoyingly loud.
Steve I believe that you can drill and tap for a grease fitting and then install the poly bushings.
Mike if you need help give me a call.
04-30-08, 11:56 AM
#12
Pole Position
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04-30-08, 11:57 AM
#13
Pole Position
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 256
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Gotcha - wanders, clunking and vibrations. I can't believe mine are not defective after all those miles - like RA40 says maybe due to roads, driving, etc.
For your specific issue I would go with poly's since they will last longer - too bad there is not an easy way to grease them like the energy suspension sway bar bushings - that way they would not be annoyingly loud.
For your specific issue I would go with poly's since they will last longer - too bad there is not an easy way to grease them like the energy suspension sway bar bushings - that way they would not be annoyingly loud.
so the poly's have any effect on the smoothness of the ride?
04-30-08, 01:20 PM
#15
Great point on drilling a grease port - that is all Energy did for their sway bar bushings - I am interested to hear how long they last - should be many many times longer than rubber.