bushing question. what all should i replace?

[More&Faster]

ill be doing the control arm bushings and tie rod ends shortly. what else should i do while i'm in there? and how hard is it to replace the bushings? i have lots of C-clamps and misc wood and things so i figured i could press them out with those. i've never done it before though.

[Garageaholic]

Sway bar bushings too.

Control arm bushings are not impossible to get out. actually quite easy if you have at least a 4" vise

If you have a bad front wheel bearing, now's the time to replace it (them). it's not that hard to do either.

[More&Faster]

good stuff

i guess i'll do the bearings too then

[More&Faster]

i need shocks too as mine are worn. this is probably a good time to do it right? would this be a decent setup? i'm on a small budget here.

http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxshop/productsdisplay.php

#60 Tokico suspension kit

[backtrail69]

I would get some new control arms, control arm bushings, inner and outer tie rods, rack boots, struts, bearings, springs... If you need to do your brakes do those as well. Doing everything at once FTW.

[MikesJo]

How can you tell if your wheel bearings are shot? Do you have to remove the struts to replace the wheel bearins or just the brakes?

[Fidhle007]

There will be a loud noise from the front end of your car if they're really shot, but if you want to check them out jack up the car and spin the wheel in question. If the bearings are toasted you'll feel a roughness when it spins and if they're really toasted you'll probably feel a little wobble if you grab the wheel and try to wiggle it. I'm talking about front bearings, rears are a little different, but you'd still notice a noise when they go.

Front bearings are an easy job, especially if you have an impact wrench. The Bently has a good, albeit overly complicated write-up on changing front wheel bearings.

Other than that, yeah, all those other bushings up there are good to change if they need it. I'd check them all first though because they could be perfectly servicable and you'd putting the effort in for naught.

Good luck!
~Brendan

[Mike@PureMS]

I'd change the ball joints inner and outer as well.

[Fidhle007]

Check your exhaust bearings while you're under there, those are a typical wear part too...

[More&Faster]

what the hell is an exhaust bearing?

[More&Faster]

i need shocks too as mine are worn. this is probably a good time to do it right? would this be a decent setup? i'm on a small budget here.

http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxshop/productsdisplay.php

#60 Tokico suspension kit

still hoping for an answer on this

[Fidhle007]

Linky no worky. I would NOT deal with shox.com because Matt (Mr 325) and I have had issues with them recently. In your shoes I'd got with Bilstein Sports and either Eibach or H&R sport springs. They're a little pricier but worth the money.

[More&Faster]

Linky no worky. I would NOT deal with shox.com because Matt (Mr 325) and I have had issues with them recently. In your shoes I'd got with Bilstein Sports and either Eibach or H&R sport springs. They're a little pricier but worth the money.

thanks. after doing a thorough search i decided to do just that. i'll be buying them from turnermotorsports. :D

[Fidhle007]

A great company, my shop deals with them all the time. They did the rear suspension on my bosses M3, which is one of the best handling cars I've ever driven.

If you're on a budget, throw your car up and check all the bushings with a pair of channellocks and replace only the worn ones. If you'd rather get it all other with, just do the whole shebang at once and get it over with. Might I also suggest, if you replace your CABs, get OEM offset bushing from an M3, they make a huge difference and they're usually cheaper than any of the urethane options.

[More&Faster]

thanks for all the suggestions guys. i just ordered H&R springs and Bilstein shocks from Turner Motorsports so im gonna take stuff apart this weekend and see what bushings i need and order all those. everything should be done in a week or two. :)