97 855R Just bought it and I love it..except a few issues

[koffinb]

Just to be safe I will be doing a full rear brake job this weekend. Anyone have any experience with Mobil 1 0w-40 with these R engines?

[koffinb]

Finally resolved the brake issue!!!!! So happy. So it turns out the rear rotors were 'pitted' and needed replacing as well as some loose and rusted caliper clips. The car had been sitting for quite some time so it pretty much needed a rear brake refresh. Now the car stops stronger and smoother than ever. Thanks to everyone for their advice and comments. Learned a lot already. Only minor problem I am facing now is the fact that the e-brake functionality is completely non existent after having the shop do my rear brakes. I will be going back tomorrow.

The 02 sensor code has been cleared as well and hasn't come back yet after a 1,000 mile roadtrip this weekend. I am assuming the code kept popping up due to a small exhaust leak I had. But once I welded it up all was good and the car was nice and quiet again.

Next on my to-do list are front right motor mount (mine is completely shot), timing belt, oil change within the next month or so, and maybe switch to some oil filled shocks..the roads here are too rough for the ones I have now maybe get some new tires installed sometime in the winter and then just enjoy it from there on out. I still have to do the glove test and make sure the PCV isn't clogged.

[shiloh51933]

What are some of the most common weak suspension points on these cars? Looking at the records I don't see much in terms of suspension work apart from sway bar links, a control arm and delta anchorage links (whatever those are)

Rear trailing arm bushing/bushing assembly , struts/springs(good idea but not mandatory), LCA's w/ball joints, wheel bearings, links, strut mounts/bearings and all hardware if u can get factory/factory quality or better. When choosing struts I would choose by quality not price...I ordered the front struts from FCPgroton as a kit that came w/everything to re-assemble the front struts(sachs struts-there the OE brand). When I got around to doing the rears I wanted to do them while I was doing something else and made the mistake of buying Monroe rear struts because they didn't have the Sachs/Bilsteins or KYB's. I'm planning on ordering the Sachs from FCP and I'm going to return the Monroe's cause they suck!!

[koffinb]

What are some of the most common weak suspension points on these cars? Looking at the records I don't see much in terms of suspension work apart from sway bar links, a control arm and delta anchorage links (whatever those are)

Rear trailing arm bushing/bushing assembly , struts/springs(good idea but not mandatory), LCA's w/ball joints, wheel bearings, links, strut mounts/bearings and all hardware if u can get factory/factory quality or better. When choosing struts I would choose by quality not price...I ordered the front struts from FCPgroton as a kit that came w/everything to re-assemble the front struts(sachs struts-there the OE brand). When I got around to doing the rears I wanted to do them while I was doing something else and made the mistake of buying Monroe rear struts because they didn't have the Sachs/Bilsteins or KYB's. I'm planning on ordering the Sachs from FCP and I'm going to return the Monroe's cause they suck!!

What don't you like about the Monroe's?

[erikv11]

When I bought my current NA wagon, it came with new Monroes up front. Pretty squishy ride, like being in a boat. I swapped them out for Bilstein TCs, much more what I was looking for (improved front end control in turns, without tooth rattling over bumpy roads). The Monroes are sitting idle out back on a slowly fading parts car.

Note however that I have also heard of people with stiffer springs (like the ones that come stock on an R), longtime owners even, who love the Monroes as a cheap solution on those setups.

[E Showell]

Nice R in "arrest me" red. Replace both o2 sensors if no evidence of prior replacement. They are a maintenance item at 100K miles. Failure to replace may lead to eventual burned exhaust valve. It is cheap insurance to replace them and as a bonus, you might notice a small improvement in fuel economy.

At that mileage, your entire suspension is pretty much due for a refresh, although you could get away with putting it off for a bit depending on budget constraints. Once you start to hear and feel klonking from the front end, you should address the suspension. You might go to 150k or even as high as 180, but the handling is likely to be pretty compromised at 180K with no suspension work.

Best not to piecemeal the suspension. Once you're in there, replace as much as possible since the components wear in together and it is a pita to bolt up and unbolt all that stuff repeatedly.

[shiloh51933]

What are some of the most common weak suspension points on these cars? Looking at the records I don't see much in terms of suspension work apart from sway bar links, a control arm and delta anchorage links (whatever those are)

Rear trailing arm bushing/bushing assembly , struts/springs(good idea but not mandatory), LCA's w/ball joints, wheel bearings, links, strut mounts/bearings and all hardware if u can get factory/factory quality or better. When choosing struts I would choose by quality not price...I ordered the front struts from FCPgroton as a kit that came w/everything to re-assemble the front struts(sachs struts-there the OE brand). When I got around to doing the rears I wanted to do them while I was doing something else and made the mistake of buying Monroe rear struts because they didn't have the Sachs/Bilsteins or KYB's. I'm planning on ordering the Sachs from FCP and I'm going to return the Monroe's cause they suck!!

What don't you like about the Monroe's?

The ride quality seems kinda sloppy/different than previously w/original struts, shoulda left the oem struts in till I could get what I wanted(Sachs). I was replacing R/R trailing arm bushing and wanted to do the rear struts/strut mounts while I had it in the air and then do the wheel alignment while I had it w/me @ work. I should have ordered from fcp and waited but the alignment was off bad, so I went ahead buying struts locally(mistake).

[oragex]

European guys like to think Meyle struts are of comparable quality with the Sachs

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEYLE-Left-Righ ... 85&vxp=mtr

Control (trailing) arms are a weak point at 60k miles. Replacement bushings don't last - except the polyurethane ones, and are very hard to fit. The control arms cost an arm & a leg at the dealer. Yet, when they are worn, the handling is terrible.

[Matty Moo]

I actually like doing suspension work, it's all nuts and bolts.

[RussB]

I actually like doing suspension work, it's all nuts and bolts.

...and those big gnarly springs