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I replaced the strut mounts, strut cartridges, tie rod ends, ball joints, and control arm bushings. The major differences I noticed during the test drive were:
1. No more rocking side to side when pulling into my driveway. There is a dip between the street and my driveway that requires an angle. With the new Sachs Advantage strut cartridges and the new strut mounts, I noticed there wasn't as much rocking or creaking.
2. No more clunking when going over bumps like railroad tracks.
3. Steering is tight...no slop in the steering wheel.
4. Stiffer ride. Noticing a bit more of the rattles in the dashboard area when going over different road surfaces.
I did the work in the following sequence:
1. Removed the disc/caliper/wheel hub/backing plates
2. Removed the strut from the vehicle
3. Removed the control arms
4. Replaced the strut cartridges and strut mounts
5. Replaced both bushings in the control arms
6. Re-installed the control arms
7. Replaced the ball joints and tie rod ends
8. Re-installed the struts
9. Re-installed the disc/caliper/wheel hub/backing plate
10.Bled the brakes
Lessons I learned:
1. I rounded off one of the 14mm control arm bracket bolts. Had to get one of those bolt removal sockets with the fluted swirls. Neighbor gave me replacement 14 mm bolt.
2. Bentley manual procedure for strut cartridge replacement assumes that you'll leave the strut attached to control arm. This wouldn't work for me since I was also doing the control arm bushings. For a while, I had to figure out that I had to remove the calipers, etc. Those brake line fittings can be very time consuming to reinstall because you don't want to strip the threads.
3. The rear control arm bolt on the passenger side is difficult to tighten up...I needed a short stubby 19mm..not sure it's as tight as it could be still. Would be better if I removed exhaust pipe, but oh well.
4. If you mark everything when you start (i.e., tie rod end location and strut bolts at top), you may not need a front end alignment. I can drive with no hands on steering wheel...straight as a board down the road.
5. Fill up the brake reservoir and use cellophane to keep as much brake fluid in the system as possible.
Total cost was $300 parts, $40 bushing presses, and $35 strut cartridge replacement at local tire store.
Fine ride now. Couldn't have done it without the brickboard. Thanks guys,
Cabbie2169.
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