Clunkity Clunk - is my suspension junk?

[skiiirt]

When i turn my steering and apply the gas i get a clunk. My mechanic showed me what the problem was. I dont know exactly what he was showing me but he showed that the strut had some play. He could physically move the strut which is what is causing the noise.

 

He showed me a piece where the bottom of the spring sits that appears to have rusted and is deteriorating horribly.

 

Looking at a haynes manual it looks like its maybe spring seat and bearing assembly.

 

Has anyone encountered this? What has to be replaced to stop this movement of the strut? Will new struts fix my problem?

 

I am going to call my mechanic tomorrow to confirm but we talked about this a few months ago so I dont think he will remember. Any help would be much appreciated

[Crazy K]

front strut? I would upgrade to newer ones, get the disc upgrade while you do it too.

[skiiirt]

What struts would you recommend.

on the monroe website it says i need

STRUT-MATE BOOT KITS

STRUT-MATE MOUNTING KIT

FRONT - Lower Spring Seat Bearing

MONRO-MATIC PLUS® STRUT

 

Sounds like a lot of work and an expensive job

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

I was talking to mechanic and he was saying that the AC Delco rear struts have some of the other stuff included with the strut that you would have to purchase seperately with other brands. I'm not sure on the details though, I don't know much about suspension...

[skiiirt]

And yes im talkin front suspension

 

Im just scared of the consequences if this breaks on me

[Crazy K]

Again. I would go to a j/y and find a donor for some good struts. Most of the parts you describe are seperate from the cartidge. You could do the 10.5 to 11.25 front rotor upgrade by located a pair of matched struts from a 95+ car that has 11.25 inch front rotors. The investment cost for a pair of GOOD front struts and then adding a new catridge it you desire should be relatively reasonable.

[mihela816]

I got my 95 front strut assemblies, with rotors for $90. That should be less than the cost of replacing the original components seperately and give you a good boost in braking power.

[skiiirt]

I guess I'll start calling some junkyards.

 

I know a rotor upgrade would be sweeeeeeet.

Can i do a front swap without doing the rears? I'll grab the rears if available but I dont have time or money to invest in replacing my whole suspension. Summertime yes. Not during school

[mihela816]

Yes, the fronts and rears can be done at different times.

A couple things to note before doing the swap:

 

14 inch wheels will no longer fit, you need at least 15's, looks like you've got that covered.

The original donut spare will not fit. You need one out of a 94+.

[skiiirt]

Yes, the fronts and rears can be done at different times.

A couple things to note before doing the swap:

 

14 inch wheels will no longer fit, you need at least 15's, looks like you've got that covered.

The original donut spare will not fit. You need one out of a 94+.

 

Thats fine. My spare is a fullsized Goodyear Eagle

[Crazy K]

I keep forgetting the tire rim clearance step.

 

if you get junkyard struts, Rememeber!!!! make sure they are 11.25 inch rotored. I've seen the Hollander Interchange Manual on our car's front struts..... and it is muddy as hell. No wonder junkyards mix struts all the time.

 

how to do the rear:

http://www.tpsgarage.com/TGP/brakes/rear_brake_upgrade.htm

It is pure bolt on without having to change anything, except the parking brake headache.

is there any issues that need addressing besides brakes in the rear?

[mihela816]

Auxillary damper mounts have to be "adjusted" for clearance.

[skiiirt]

Besides "cracked" brake lines which has yet to be determined if thats true. (If thats the case I'll get the Goodridge brake lines. I have tons of other things to do. The list is so big I cant even write it all down or i'll go crazy lookin at the costs.

 

Do the struts differ from 2 door to 4 door?

I don't know what kind of luck I will have finding these struts locally. All I can do is pray.

 

I more than likely wont be doing the labour on this (no time, no tools, no lift/jacks/stands). Should I invest in some good air tools and a jack/stand?

 

:?

[Crazy K]

2 and 4 door struts are the same. It is not very hard to change the struts, IMO.

 

labor??? you call workinhg on a car labor??? I call it fun!!!!

 

I bought a cheap jack and stands from walmart, I have no air tools, just leverage or brute force.

[skiiirt]

Wish you lived next door to me!

 

Maybe I can convince nametnom or Pabz to help me do it

[Crazy K]

where Do you live?

[mihela816]

Freakin, like, Canada or some backwards place.

[Crazy K]

Freakin, like, Canada or some backwards place.

This is very distcurbing...Hey are you calling Canada backwards??? I happen to know... some very nice cars came from there...my lumina being one of them...capisce?

[skiiirt]

Yep. Way the fuck up in Canada.. the most populated most northern city i think in the world.. maybe 2nd

 

Edmonton Alberta. Land of free $400 cheques

[Pabz]

Come summer time I am doing the front/rear upgrades to the vert. Come check it out so you can see how its done!