Suspension and Brake Recommendation

[Pauloil]

each side of the steering rack has inner and outer tie rods.

[geokilla]

So I need two inner tie rods? And I still can't figure out what kinda rack I have...

[Juan62]

two= front pass, front driver.

[geokilla]

Here is what the dealer said should be replaced:

• Right outer tie rod (loose)
• Left inner tie rod (loose)
• Both front lower ball joints loose (Both Control arms?)
• Both Spring seats cracked
• Rear brake pads and rotors

I took it to a shop where my friend is working at and this is what they recommended in priority sequence:

• Replace rear brake pad and rotors
• Right front lower control arm
• Strut assembly, top mounts and bearings (spring seats and mounts?)

What would you guys do? There is conflicting information on what needs to be replaced and what doesn't. Also, is it fine to just change the right control arm and not the left one?

Edit: Post was edited to fix it up and give more detail. I tried editing the OP but I can't anymore. This is pretty much copied and pasted from my thread at Swedespeed.

[dpartsman]

A competitor of IPD is running a sale until tomorrow for up to 15% off all parts. With what you need, I recommend their suspension kit and it will cover quite a bit than what you need for the price. Take a look. Hope this helps.

[geokilla]

Last post has been updated, The parts list post has been updated. Still dunno if I'm potentially missing anything or not, or if I have the correct parts waiting to be ordered.

I would have updated the OP, but I can't for some reason.

[Juan62]

If you have the funding to purchase all necessary parts, take a look at the forum on suspension parts and brakes. If you have limited funding currently, do the brakes first if you drive the car regularly. IPD will have another 10% off sale beginning 6 July 2011. FCP Groton has a 15% off sale, but ends 6/30/11.

[zhenya]

Here is what the dealer said should be replaced:

• Right outer tie rod (loose)
• Left inner tie rod (loose)
• Both front lower ball joints loose (Both Control arms?)
• Both Spring seats cracked
• Rear brake pads and rotors

I took it to a shop where my friend is working at and this is what they recommended in priority sequence:

• Replace rear brake pad and rotors
• Right front lower control arm
• Strut assembly, top mounts and bearings (spring seats and mounts?)

What would you guys do? There is conflicting information on what needs to be replaced and what doesn't. Also, is it fine to just change the right control arm and not the left one?

I would start with the second list, and replace as much as you can afford. There is no strict reason that both control arms must be replaced together, other than if one is gone, there is good likelihood that the other won't be far behind. I *think* you'll need an alignment too, so doing both will be a bit of a savings there. If you can also afford to do the front and rear shocks at this time, I'd do that as well.

[jblackburn]

No reason you NEED to replace the struts when you do the spring seats (I didn't), but going in to change the spring seats is essentially the same labor if you're having it done at a shop.

But the ball joints and tie rods - those control where your car tracks on the road. Once those things get loose, it will pull all over the place and make it difficult to control. Those and brakes are where my priorities would be.

[geokilla]

Right now, I'm planning to only replace what will affect safety, such as control arms. However if the tie rods are fine, then I won't be replacing them. When I brought it to the shop where my friend is working at, he personally looked at my car along with the mechanics that work there. So assuming I go with all the fixes my friend recommends minus struts, it's time to order the parts. Am I missing any nuts and bolts? I still got no clue.

Plus FCP Euro has all these control arm kits while FCP Groton doesn't, which makes purchasing the correct parts even more difficult.