Daedalus,
I doubt you recall but you were kind enough to give me an expanation of the suspension components on my 95Q. (Thanks)
Anyway, I purchased the tokico blues, and I'm about to call Joe @ Scottsdale for the following:
Set of uppler linksSet of Tension RodsRear dust covers (fronts are only a year old)
I also want to replace the strut bushings....and I recall you mentioning some kind of springs. And I don't think they were the main big springs but something else?? Could you please clerify if there are some springs I need to have replaced other than the major four? You also told me that my shop really shouldn't charge me any more labor for installing these. Please explain this a little more.....is it because it's all apart anyway when the shocks are replaced?
Thanks in advance.....I can't wait to take the Q in!!!
Question for Daedalus
No other springs in the shock assemblies. As I recall, I used the term "springs" as an analogy for the rubber components in the shock assemblies. I was only trying to make the point that new rubber is recommended to prevent your ride from being too stiff right after replacing the struts. The old rubber will be compressed (deformed) and rock-hard. I think the fronts have a rubber spring hat and the dust cover/bump stop. I think the rears have a dust cover, 2 bushings and the spring hat. The labor should be the same because it all has to come apart. Think of a shish-kabob. The skewer is the strut, and all the meat and veggies on the skewer are the rubber components. Everything has to come off to do the struts, so it doesn't matter if the stuff that goes back together is old or new..
Totally agree with fxjackso--new end link bushings will make a world of difference if they're 13 years old. But there's no labor overlap with the struts, other than getting the car on the lift, and actually they're fairly easy to DIY if you can safely get under the car with a few tools. The bushings are pretty cheap, maybe $3 each. You'll need 8 for the rear bar and 4 for the front. The front sway bar connecting links may need to be replaced, as the ball joints wear out and the seals tear. Those are pricier...maybe $30-45 each or thereabouts, I can't recall.