Grrr....need to vent

[SolacE]

I swear you guys all know it is always something with these LS's. Everytime I turn around its a new problem. I love my car but I am getting tired of sinking money into it constantly (and not just for the added extras).

Went to the dealership today for oil change and transmission service. They did the PCV valve for me free of charge for some reason but hey I will take it.

Note on the bottom of my ticket said "need front end work and rear end work" with no other explaination. So I asked exactly what they were referring to.

They inform me I need front outer tierod ends, rear inner and outer tierod ends and rear stabalizer links. They want $488+tax for the parts which is about $62 about list price. Plus 4.0 hours of labor.
Of course I called Maxx and he gave me prices on the parts that will end up saving me around $200.

What sucks is I cant get under the car myself anymore because of all my back problems. I can probably do the stabalizer links myself at least.

Just had to vent.....damn its a good thing I love my LS....well not for my bank account though.

 

[MajesticLS]

I feel your pain got a whole pile of parts for this weekend doing VCG's ,plugs, coils and whatever else its should be nice this weekend too so much for spending time enjoying it

 

[SolacE]

LOL....i am gathering parts to do that same job as well in a few weeks....

 

[MajesticLS]

haha its a never ending circle fix one thing then on to the next

 

[Rodewaryer]

I'm just curious, is it just me or is this fairly typical of the 2000-2002's? It could be coincidence but I seem to read a lot of threads about mechanical complaints with those years.....

 

[pektel]

haha its a never ending circle fix one thing then on to the next

Which is a GREAT learning experience at least! I know more about the guts of this car than any other I've previously owned. Not sure if that's a good thing, really...

 

[GWL]

I swear you guys all know it is always something with these LS's. Everytime I turn around its a new problem. I love my car but I am getting tired of sinking money into it constantly (and not just for the added extras).

Went to the dealership today for oil change and transmission service. They did the PCV valve for me free of charge for some reason but hey I will take it.

Note on the bottom of my ticket said "need front end work and rear end work" with no other explaination. So I asked exactly what they were referring to.

They inform me I need front outer tierod ends, rear inner and outer tierod ends and rear stabalizer links. They want $488+tax for the parts which is about $62 about list price. Plus 4.0 hours of labor.
Of course I called Maxx and he gave me prices on the parts that will end up saving me around $200.

What sucks is I cant get under the car myself anymore because of all my back problems. I can probably do the stabalizer links myself at least.

Just had to vent.....damn its a good thing I love my LS....well not for my bank account though.

Almost all if not all well handling cars need these parts replaced periodically. My BMWs need similar PM. If you are going for sophisticated handling then you are going to have a complicated suspension that will need as much if not more care as the drive-line. Just trying to make you feel better.:dancefool

 

[camthman]

Almost all if not all well handling cars need these parts replaced periodically. My BMWs need similar PM. If you are going for sophisticated handling then you are going to have a complicated suspension that will need as much if not more care as the drive-line. Just trying to make you feel better.:dancefool

that's what I was going to say, Alot of cars that have similar suspension have these problems.

 

[97stscaddy]

If you can change the Sway bar links you can change the front tie rod ends too. But You will need to have it aligned afterwards.

The rear tie rod ends are a bit more difficult (PITA if you don't have air tools).

 

[lseguy]

I think I *may* need swaybar bushings soon. When its COLD, for the first few miles, I hear some serious clunking going on upfront. But 10 minutes later, they are 99% gone. Actually, it's been this way for about two years. Handling is still fine. I guess I'll crawl under when it gets warm and check things out.

But yes...BMW suspension parts need replacing just like the LS. Lower control arm bushings ball joints (which on the //M cars, are usually built into the control arm, meaning the ENTIRE control arm must be replaced), ball joints, tie rods, etc. Between my two LS's Ihave had, I've driven a total of 150k LS miles. I've owned two BMW's, and have driven a total of about 130k BMW miles. The LS suspension is JUST as well built, if not better, than the BMW.

 

[02LincLS]

I just did front inner and outer tie rod ends too. I have about 83k on my '02 V8.
The total was just under $400 for parts at a local shop (autozone would have been $350 total)... 2 hrs labor and free alignment. It’s nice to not have a dead spot anymore. Uneven road was unnerving.
My brother has a '00 V8 sport and he has no such problems yet and i think he has well over 110k. He did have to replace some coil packs though $$.