Suspension Refersh
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
Suspension Refresh
Hey guys,
I wanted to get your opinion on a few things.
99 M6 FRC 100,000 miles
Last year I upgraded my shocks all around to C6Z06 and metal end links.
My steering has been feeling a little loose lately and I was thinking it is time for a suspension refresh. I have bought 4 ball joints for the front as well as tie rod ends.
My diff started leaking last year and I have ordered the axle seals as well as the large O-rings for the cover.
My question is, since I have the rear of the car dropped, should I replace the 4 ball joints in the back too? I took the rear control arms off and checked the joints and they do not have any play within the joint, but it is really easy to move around (feels very loose, just not rattling in the socket)
Do they go bad easily? Considering it is higher mileage, I'm leaning toward changing them but want to avoid the additional $300 if possible.
I wanted to get your opinion on a few things.
99 M6 FRC 100,000 miles
Last year I upgraded my shocks all around to C6Z06 and metal end links.
My steering has been feeling a little loose lately and I was thinking it is time for a suspension refresh. I have bought 4 ball joints for the front as well as tie rod ends.
My diff started leaking last year and I have ordered the axle seals as well as the large O-rings for the cover.
My question is, since I have the rear of the car dropped, should I replace the 4 ball joints in the back too? I took the rear control arms off and checked the joints and they do not have any play within the joint, but it is really easy to move around (feels very loose, just not rattling in the socket)
Do they go bad easily? Considering it is higher mileage, I'm leaning toward changing them but want to avoid the additional $300 if possible.
Last edited by cbell3186; Jan 2, 2017 at 08:59 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
If you don't mind tearing it down again later then you can wait. Do it nice or do it twice. You may have a few years left on them.
The problem I had was that my bushings got soft. It ran out of caster and camber adjustment. If I got on a bumpy road the car was all over the place. At high speed it would make you fear for your life. I can imagine the wheels moving around a few degrees in all directions. Not good.
The problem I had was that my bushings got soft. It ran out of caster and camber adjustment. If I got on a bumpy road the car was all over the place. At high speed it would make you fear for your life. I can imagine the wheels moving around a few degrees in all directions. Not good.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 20
From: Arizona
I agree with Rob. If you're doing it yourself and you don't mind the work, do it when you have the time/money.
Unless it becomes a safety concern, kick the can down the road as long as you can tolerate it (without damaging the car, of course). :P
Unless it becomes a safety concern, kick the can down the road as long as you can tolerate it (without damaging the car, of course). :P
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I personally don't like doubling back. Some people don't mind it. When money is tight you have no choice. I would rather make payments than tear it down again. Mine had 130,000 miles and were as you described. If there are no broken boots then you may be able to wait.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Hey guys,
I wanted to get your opinion on a few things.
99 M6 FRC 100,000 miles
Last year I upgraded my shocks all around to C6Z06 and metal end links.
My steering has been feeling a little loose lately and I was thinking it is time for a suspension refresh. I have bought 4 ball joints for the front as well as tie rod ends
My question is, since I have the rear of the car dropped, should I replace the 4 ball joints in the back too? I took the rear control arms off and checked the joints and they do not have any play within the joint, but it is really easy to move around (feels very loose, just not rattling in the socket)
Do they go bad easily? Considering it is higher mileage, I'm leaning toward changing them but want to avoid the additional $300 if possible.
I wanted to get your opinion on a few things.
99 M6 FRC 100,000 miles
Last year I upgraded my shocks all around to C6Z06 and metal end links.
My steering has been feeling a little loose lately and I was thinking it is time for a suspension refresh. I have bought 4 ball joints for the front as well as tie rod ends
My question is, since I have the rear of the car dropped, should I replace the 4 ball joints in the back too? I took the rear control arms off and checked the joints and they do not have any play within the joint, but it is really easy to move around (feels very loose, just not rattling in the socket)
Do they go bad easily? Considering it is higher mileage, I'm leaning toward changing them but want to avoid the additional $300 if possible.
Oh and i was also told the entire knuckle and control arm needs to be replace because you can't replace just the ball joint. Purchased Moog and Raybestos Pro ball joints and pressed old one's out, new ones in. That was 5 yrs and 17k miles ago
Last edited by SG Lou; Jan 3, 2017 at 10:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
Yeah the boots are fine, no grease anywhere, I keep running into the car curse where I intend to do do one thing, then see something while I'm in there slightly off and figure "I've already got it apart"
This whole question stemmed from replacing the diff O-ring.
Diff O-ring --> Replace output shaft seals again to be safe --> Strip and repaint calipers -->New flush of Moutul -->ball joints/tie rod ends upfront... you get the picture.
Trying to find a stopping point I guess.
This whole question stemmed from replacing the diff O-ring.
Diff O-ring --> Replace output shaft seals again to be safe --> Strip and repaint calipers -->New flush of Moutul -->ball joints/tie rod ends upfront... you get the picture.
Trying to find a stopping point I guess.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 20
From: Arizona
Yeah the boots are fine, no grease anywhere, I keep running into the car curse where I intend to do do one thing, then see something while I'm in there slightly off and figure "I've already got it apart"
This whole question stemmed from replacing the diff O-ring.
Diff O-ring --> Replace output shaft seals again to be safe --> Strip and repaint calipers -->New flush of Moutul -->ball joints/tie rod ends upfront... you get the picture.
Trying to find a stopping point I guess.
This whole question stemmed from replacing the diff O-ring.
Diff O-ring --> Replace output shaft seals again to be safe --> Strip and repaint calipers -->New flush of Moutul -->ball joints/tie rod ends upfront... you get the picture.
Trying to find a stopping point I guess.
I'll be going through something similar soon.