My car began undergoing suspenion work around November of last year--I say "began" because getting everything to where it should be is taking some time. The car has a little short of 120,000 miles on it and as far as I know, much of the suspension has never been replaced.

First, my dad replaced the shocks and struts. The car now rides on Monroe SensaTrac shocks and struts, according to the receipt from NAPA. The mechanic at the time noticed that the passenger's side ball joint was worn, but he said a replacement wasn't immediately necessary.

Towards the end of December, as I got ready to go to school (I had been out of the country and the car wasn't driven by me or hardly at all September-December), I took the car into Midas to get some spot welding done on the muffler system. I casually mentioned that I would be taking the car up to school soon, a 300 mile trip, and they indicated that it would probably be a good idea to get the ball joints replaced very soon. In addition to the mechanic's advice, I had noticed some popping noises while turning the wheel, and the ball joints did indeed need replacing.

So, second, we had the ball joints replaced. The parts were purchased from Advance Auto Parts (and at the same time the belts in the engine bay were replaced). I took the car up to school and intended to get an alignment, since the car rode more or less fine but the steering wheel was cocked to one side, and I also was going to get the power steering belt tightened up since it was loose and squeaking upon startup and just about all the time at night (when it is cold outside).

I took the car to get an alignment at PepBoys, and the guy only had it up on the lift for a few minutes before he informed me that the "alignment wouldn't hold" because I need new tie rods. (I'm pretty sure he just said inner tie rods but I would think it would make sense to replace all of the tie rods at once.) They didn't do the alignment and unfortunately didn't tighten the belt either, so I'm still dealing with a squeaking, unaligned car, and the tie rods have not yet been replaced.

I have two questions:

First, is the car likely road-worthy for a roughly 250 mile trip? I have an obligation tomorrow that is about 125 miles away, and if I were to go I would be returning later in the day. The car seems to drive pretty straight, and things are a lot smoother "at speed" now that the struts and ball joints are new. Nevertheless, there are still some popping noises, I presume from the tie rods. I need new ones regardless--is it a stupid and dangerous idea to take the car on such a journey?

Second, what kind of suspension work should/remains to be done? I'm on FCP Groton's website right now, and at about $20 a part I would like to handle all of the things related to suspension that I can. From what I know of suspensions, about the only parts left to replace are the bushings and things like the springs and strut mounts! What parts do I need to order--is it two inner and two outer tie rods ends, for four things total?

I also see that it's usually uncertain as to whether a car has a Cam Gear or a ZF Rack. I checked the service plate in the trunk and my steering gear was a "2," which according to FCP Groton is a Cam Gear. Should I get the Boot Kit they offer as well?

Is there any reason that any new parts wouldn't be able to be re-used? I can't imagine an excuse anyone could invent as to why the ball joints were irreparably damaged and must be repalced, but is there anything for which I should be on the lookout?

Any other parting advice? (Bushings?) I'm hoping this time will be the last the front suspension gets taken apart--my dad did the shocks and struts as an early Christmas present. Little did he know that he just set off a chain reaction of mechanics noticing small things that needed fixing--I'm certainly glad they're getting replaced because they can be safety hazards, but it's not going easy on the wallet!
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'89 244 GL -- 116,100 miles (see profile for info on car)