A little suspension help..

[der3wuste3fuchs]

Hey guys,

I saw there have been a lot of recent posts about the upper and lower ball joints on the armature, and I have been researching these threads a lot to further assist myself, but I'm still novice.

I went in for an oil change today and asked if I could see the undercar to check the suspension. I know next to nothing about susupensions until about 2 weeks ago when I started researching. i have found a lot of information, however I am unsure how to tackle my problem.

I checked the upper and lower ball joints and they look terrible. the rubber looks cracked and overhangs. I'm almost positive they will have to be replaced on both sides.

I also noticed there was a leak on my CV joint? I wasn't sure if this was accurate as my understanding was CV joints are on FWD cars and these cars are RWD.. Probably set myself up for that but either way it looks in need.

I also see a stray tubing that is wet that looks like it goes to nowhere.

My main worry is driving as I use this as a DD. I was recently in a motorcycle accident so its all I can really use. Is this just asking for trouble? I don't drive too far but every clunk, squeak, and pot hole scares the $ht out of me sometimes.

I attached some pictures to help translate my babel,

thanks
Ian.

 

[fudge12]

you should be scared $h1tless with those ball joints. They're pretty simple to replace except for when you have to press out lower ball joint. Just be weary to take a vice grip and lock the end of the new ball joint as you turn the nut. Not doing this will tear the boot. Good luck!

 

[LS4me]

Nothing wrong with torn/cracked boots. Our '00 has had torn boots for years. The ball joint inside is fine. I just hit the boots with some of that tennis shoe repair goop (after cleaning, of course), which has held up well. Test the ball joints before being scared. That said, those are a lot of miles on the original parts and replacement wouldn't hurt.

 

[der3wuste3fuchs]

Nothing wrong with torn/cracked boots. Our '00 has had torn boots for years. The ball joint inside is fine. I just hit the boots with some of that tennis shoe repair goop (after cleaning, of course), which has held up well. Test the ball joints before being scared. That said, those are a lot of miles on the original parts and replacement wouldn't hurt.

Thanks,

I read on how to check them by wiggling in certain directions. Do you have any idea who that little stranded tube is? I'm assuming If I'm getting the creaking/clunking I should check the arm links as well. Once I get her on a good lift I'll check.

Cool tip on the Boots, I'll give it a shot.