What order do suspension parts wear out in C4s?
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
What order do suspension parts wear out in C4s?
Here's the order from my reading so far from first to go to last:
Suspensions are new to me so I probably have at least 2 things mixed up and missing 1-2 things. Appreciate the help!
My car has 95k miles btw
- Shocks
- Wheel bearings
- Bushings
- Leaf springs
- Tie rods
Suspensions are new to me so I probably have at least 2 things mixed up and missing 1-2 things. Appreciate the help!
My car has 95k miles btw
#2
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St. Jude Donor '05
Id say springs probably last
Sheer age will take its toll on everything
Driving habits road conditions determine a lot no particular order
Bushings that old with mileage can guarantee they are probably gone even if the visible part doesnt look bad.
Best thing to do is get it in the air and start checking for slop go from there. Springs just visually ck for damage or delaminating
Is it doing something funny while driving?
Sheer age will take its toll on everything
Driving habits road conditions determine a lot no particular order
Bushings that old with mileage can guarantee they are probably gone even if the visible part doesnt look bad.
Best thing to do is get it in the air and start checking for slop go from there. Springs just visually ck for damage or delaminating
Is it doing something funny while driving?
#3
I don't think there is a set order. It's going to vary car to car, driving conditions, parking conditions, amount of use. Ton of variables to give then a one size fits all failure ranking.
Dont forget to include the u joints in the half shafts on your list since the halfshaft is sort of part of the suspension.
An almost sure bet is rubber bushings. The youngest C4 is 20 and time is hard on the rubber components.
Dont forget to include the u joints in the half shafts on your list since the halfshaft is sort of part of the suspension.
An almost sure bet is rubber bushings. The youngest C4 is 20 and time is hard on the rubber components.
#4
Drifting
There is no set order. A new shock can go bad and start leaking. A bushing, ball joint or wheel bearing seal can go bad at any time.
The best way to look at it is the youngest of the C4's is 21 model years old and the oldest are 33. Every suspension component is potentially bad. Inspect and replace as necessary.
The best way to look at it is the youngest of the C4's is 21 model years old and the oldest are 33. Every suspension component is potentially bad. Inspect and replace as necessary.
#6
Melting Slicks
My sway bar end link bushings went first, they were making a knocking noise on uneven pavement -- did those a couple years ago, one of the easiest repairs I've done. Rear "dog bone" bushings likely need replacement because I can see cracks, but they aren't making any noises and the car drives fine. (Car has been garaged most of its life so it hasn't fought the elements.) Also the shocks seem too soft but they aren't leaking so I can't tell 100% if they are worn other than a floaty feeling over certain highway sections. After 20 years (1995 model) it wouldn't hurt to replace the shocks... they are in the near-future suspension maintenance plan along with bushings all-around...
#7
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I would switch 4 and 5, but bushings can be anywhere.
#8
Tech Contributor
Front wheel bearings every 150 miles.
Track days running slicks will do that
Track days running slicks will do that
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#10
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Careful cause while those parts are out its easy to clean and polish them.
And much easier to gain access to the underside thats now exposed.
Now before you know it, the entire drivetrain and suspension is laying on the garage floor.
OCD is a terrible thing to waste......
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Just wanted to give you all a quick thank you. I start threads while I do the research then prioritize all the projects. I'll get to it all eventually