Front Struts

C

curterj145xr

Registered
Does the replacement of front struts and strut mounts require a front end alignment on this car? My front struts and mounts definitely need replaced, but they want to replace a bunch of other stuff as well for the alignment (rear struts, mounts, front and rear sway bar links, rear tie rod ends, camber kit). I'm already approaching $600 in parts from RockAuto and would like to just replace the front struts to fix the immediate problem (front end rattle and wandering on the highway).

I can't even find rear tie rod ends - I assume they are dealer only. There is actually nothing wrong with them - they are just rusted in place and not adjustable.

Total estimate from alignment place : $2453.61

Ouch!
 
Front strut mounts? Do you have coil? And the front struts will not cause front end rattle/wandering. They are always under tension. I am betting you have bad ball joints instead which could be a bit more serious!

Rear tie rod ends?
 
Holy F!

First of all...YES, you should always get an alignment when changing anything with suspension.

Second....don't EVER go back to where you just went.

Third...your front struts will make a "knocking" noise when going over bumps, but they will not cause the vehicle to "wonder" on the freeway. That could be something as simple as your alignment being off.

How many miles on the car?

I would say, find a shop to replace the front struts and then drive it. See if your noise is gone, if so...go get an alignment. (Somewhere OTHER than where you got a 2500 qoute)
 
Thanks for the replies.

It's a 2000 and has 90,000 miles on it. It came from PA, so there is a lot of underbody parts rusting. I had them show it to me when it was on the lift. I was surprised at the rear tie rod ends as well. It's the first car that I have seen that has had them. They are completely rusted over. He said that he was able to get the right one to turn, but the left one is rusted solid and he was afraid to put much more pressure on it for fear that it might break.

As far as the symptoms, it makes a knocking noise when going over speed bumps or down a bumpy road. They said the tops of the struts are floating around because the strut mounts are rusted away. It was hard to see up in there when they tried to show me.

As far as the wandering, when it is on the interstate all you have to do is touch a slight groove in the road or a seam between the lanes and it just takes off (seriously you had better have both hands on the wheel). It doesn't seem to matter whether the driver's side or passenger side tires touch the groove or seam. I thought that it was maybe the tires, but they have been changed and it is no better.

Needless to say, I won't be taking it back to that place. Not only was their labor high, they were charging more that twice for the parts than what RockAuto or even Discount Auto Parts had them for.
 
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Rear tie rod ends???

No such thing on the LS... Or any other Lincoln that I can think of.

As far as the wandering... Did you check/have them check your Rack and pinion? Over time, it can develop a lash (slack) in the gears.
 
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Ok....the knocking is your strut mounts, which you MAY be able to change without replacing the struts. With most cars you can just buy the mounts.

The tracking issue you're having sounds like its just your front end being out of alignment. It sounds like the "toe" is out, causing the vehicle to track/follow grooves in the road.


Find a place to change the mounts (or struts) and then get a front end alignment and you'll be set. MAYBE cost you 500 bucks.
 
Yes the LS DOES have rear tie rods!!!! They are installed because the LS has passive rear wheel steering. The suspension on this car is VERY advanced but along with that comes complication. So yes the rear tie rods do wear out and do need to be adjusted if the alignment shop knows what they are doing. Again look how many people that own LS's don't even know what's under them!!
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clubairth said:
Again look how many people that own LS's don't even know what's under them!!
Click to expand...

Shoot, thats with any car now-a-days. People are living the fast paced life and as soon as Carbs went out the door and Fuel Injection stepped in, people just open their hoods and stare, then close it, call a tow, and have someone else do the work. lol
 
J said:
Shoot, thats with any car now-a-days. People are living the fast paced life and as soon as Carbs went out the door and Fuel Injection stepped in, people just open their hoods and stare, then close it, call a tow, and have someone else do the work. lol
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NOT TRUE! Sometimes I poke a screwdriver around or bang on something with a wrench. Then call the tow truck. LOL
 
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