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Bricksters,
This is a followup post: I'm replacing the strut cartridges, strut mounts, tie rod ends, ball joints, and both control arm bushings. As it stands now, I've got both struts completely removed from the vehicle. I've also removed both control arms, including the rear bushing bracket covers. I rounded off one of the three control arm bracket bolts. I took the vice grips to it..but it didn't work. Finally, I went to Sears and bought a set of stripped bolt remover sockets. It worked pretty good. I took the struts to the local grease monkey tire shop and they installed my Sachs Advantage cartridges and strut mounts for $35. (was worth it to me...I just don't like those spring compressors) Tomorrow, I've got to find a machine shop to press out the front and rear control arm bushings. The tie rod ends will go on and the new ball joints too. So far so good. The only problem was that darn bolt that was rounded off. Those rear bushing bracket covers have 14 mm bolts...but the one of 'em on the drivers side was a bear!
I'm getting excited to see how good the car drives...the old passenger side strut cartridge was really bound up pretty bad (couldn't push in or retract the shock easily at all) and that side ball joint was shot completely. So I should see a marked improvement.
The rear control arm bushing rubber part were both separated from the inner collar..other than that, the only thing that was wrong with them (I think) is that they weren't tightened very well...could be why all the clunkin.
I've got to bleed the brakes after everything gets put back together...which I hate to do. Not sure how much to torque the ball joints and tie rod ends...but I'll use Haynes and Bentley.
I washed the struts while I had 'em out...thought about paintin' up trick...but nah..ain't worth it. So far so good
Cabbie2169
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