Captain Ficho Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 Just wondering if there are any downsides to bad suspension, aside from bad ride quality? All of my struts are gone and the springs are mushy beyond belief, but I can't really afford to have anything done about it. The roads in Toronto are horrible and I've nailed a few potholes pretty hard so that probably hasn't helped either. Could this ultimately do damage to the car or am I alright to leave it until the end of summer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 Unless something falls right apart, I can't see it doing any damage to the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 it wont do damage to the car unless you break something. Youll just notice very POOR handling and ride quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 It could affect your spinning out if you take a curve in the rain too fast. Bad suspension can be dangerous, yes. But if you know your car's limitations with the bad suspension, you should be alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 bad shock/struts can make tires dribble as a vehicle travels down the road, leading to premature tire damage and tread separation and the whole shebang. additionally, the travel allowed by blown shocks/stuts makes a vehicle very unstable, and thus unsafe. I recommend starting with the rear struts on your car, you'll get more bang for your buck by doing those, after all, a W rear end with bad struts handles like a drunk, but you can control sloppy front suspension much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psych0matt Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 I've had pretty much bad shocks/struts for 3 years or so tire wear seems to be somewhat of an issue, but then again I know for a while I had a bad alignment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ns87 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 I recommend starting with the rear struts on your car, you'll get more bang for your buck by doing those, after all, a W rear end with bad struts handles like a drunk, but you can control sloppy front suspension much easier. I agree! Before I replaced my rear shocks I could kick out my back end like a RWD car around curves. It took a long time to get used to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per0781 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 don't drive the car, you could cause an accident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoore4294 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 don't drive the car, you could cause an accident. As could any car on the road, bad suspension or not. My shocks are way past gone, but I haven't had a problem with it. I've even taken a few corners fast, with no problem, not that I recommend doing it. Granted there was no one around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRONDOG442 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 Driving with worn or bad struts will ruin your springs which cost more than the strut assemblies. Also its dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal H Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 you'll put more wear on the rubber suspension bushings and sway bar bushings - due to the additional motion/travel from worn out struts. And like others have said - handling isn't as stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Increased wear on, tires, springs, swaybars, bushings, etc. also, unsafe handling, increased stopping distances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Ficho Posted April 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 I've been doing some investigating as to how much the labour of having all the struts changed would cost. The place that put my summer tires on today even called me into the shop to show how bad shape they're in. They quoted me $328 just labour for changing all the struts and realignment after. Tomorrow I'm gonna see with my mechanic what he would want to do it. I'll keep you guys posted. I plan on getting the struts themselves from Rock Auto since it is cheaper than locally. I'm probably getting KYBs because from my understanding they are the best available for W's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 front struts are cake on these cars you don't even need to pull the wheel. First time I did them, took me about an hour. air tools are a big help however. all you need is this tool: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OTC-4533-GM-W-Body-Strut-Service-Tool-Set_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ43996QQihZ002QQitemZ120238815644QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V thats the same tool I bought, however I did have to modify it slightly with a file to make it work perfect. Rear struts are a walk in the park too, you need no special tools for them as well. I did mine over 2 years ago, never threw out my alignment either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted2bass Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 I had strut almost break right in half on my buick !! I had it in for inspection and my mechanic put it up on the lift....it was so rotted that the pass side rear strut was almost broke in half!! That would not have been fun if it broke goin 70 down the highway! I just had all 4 struts changed on my tgp. I got 4 kyb gr2s and 4 struts mounts for $324 shipped from tirerack. My mechanic charged me $250 labor to put them all on. My one rear strut was leaked out and it wore down the rear tire pretty bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 the worst thing i have ever seen is a spring break and the strut go through the fender or hood, or hitting a pothole and having the strut come out of the mount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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