PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

strut rod bushings are TOAST.

and yeah, the sliding yoke in the steering goes bad with age, as in every rack and pinion car.

valex

Strange, I put new strut rods 2 years ago, maybe I did something wrong

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

double check them for tears with a pry bar, iirc they arent supposed to torque that much but then again, i've been lowered for the past 3-4 years so i might not remember.

valex

Guys, if is not the yoke, but the intermediate shaft, do I remove the column working from the steering wheel down?

atoyot

Valex,

i was just out looking at mine as i have purchased the bushing and was about to try to mess with this..... but, it's kind of cold out and the Daytona 500 is on, so it can wait!

Anyways, mine are torqued just like yours when the car is up on jack stands. I have heard and read that you are supposed to install or at least tighten them when the car is on the ground. That should straighten them up i'm guessing.

valex

Ok, so shall I loosen the bolts, put the car on the ground and then tighten the bolts? What are the torque specs on these?

atoyot

i'm at work so i'm not sure what the torque specs are.

Also, good question on the technique. I personally can't reach the bolts with the car on the ground. So, here is what i was planning to do. Jack the car up with the jack supporting the frame of the car. Take the wheel off. Mark with a paint pen the position of the conical washers. Remove the arm. Press out old bushing/ press in new bushing, re-install but don't fully tighten. Use a bottle jack to compress the suspension up, then tighten the bolts.

That's what i was thinking.

valex

I found out the torque specs on strut bar - 134 ft/ on the nut (the bushing end) and 121 ft/lb on 2 nuts on the other end of the strut bar, where it connects to the control arm.

99LSBrad

I have a soft clunking noise in the front when going over speedbumps and potholes. My guy said take it to Sears for their free suspension evaluation.

Well they came back with an estimate of $1006.01 Front struts and mounts, and ball joints, plus 4 wheel align.

Checked Pep Boys already and two front struts and mounts, the same ones that sears quoted are $288 for everything, and I can either get ball joints on ebay for $85 for the pair, or Lexus for $79 each.

Maybe I'll go back to Sears for the 4 wheel align. :-) ($69.99)

valex

Today I took the strut rods out to inspect them. They have about 20-25K miles on them. No cracking or drying, looked fine to me. I put everything back on and tightened the nuts when the car was on the ground. When the car is on the ground, the strut rod bushing is not stretched, looks like it should. I guess those bushings do look funny when the car is jacked up.

Is allignment recommended after messing with the strut rods?

Val

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

yeah you'll need an alignment to correct for caster

valex

I wonder if the same rule ( tightening bolts when car is on the ground) applies to LBJ and tie rod ends. I replaced those recently. I noticed that the grease boots get squished on one side(under wieght) when car is on stands.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

I would not take my scooter to pep boys to get anything done.

valex

LBJ are $67.87 each at parts . com (OEM) Get OEM, it`s worth it.

99LSBrad

Not having it done at pep boys. Just pricing the parts.