AR shopping list - am I missing anything?

[phaetn]

On a rainy day a couple of weeks ago I noticed a hoist free at my local mechanic's as I was driving by so I popped in to ask if I could toss my car on the lift for 15 minutes. The owner gratefully obliged and I snapped a few pics of the front end (link to pics in sig).

Right now there's a lot of play in the steering wheel (steering box was replaced by PO) and the car definitely wanders -- on the gas it will pull a bit right, off the gas it will gradually veer left. I haven't had an alignment done, but that sounds like worn steering components to me. It's also quite -- I don't know -- squidgy is how to best describe it. Very vauge steering initially until the car gets settled on one side or the other, at which point it gets solid and the steering input is much more positive and predictable. If the car is more neutrally balanced then it just seems to float.

When up on the lift one of the mechs even gave me some of his time, got a crow bar to stabilize various bits against the frame and then checked for what was loose. Bearings were ok. Predictably, he indicated upper ball joint on drivers side needed replacing, plus the R and L tie rod bushings on both ends, as well as the central link.

I figure if I'm replacing one ball joint, I had might as well replace them all so at least we'll be starting with parity of components before an alignment rather than some new some half-worn. So, that said, I've made the following shopping list for AutoRicambi.

Am I missing anything obvious that I might as well have changed at the same time?

SU4-468 $34.90 Tie rod assembly - complete *** need x2 *** (boots included)
SU4-439 $38.50 Steering centre link

SU5-496 $16.70 Upper ball joint *** need x2 ***
SU5-497 $14.90 Lower ball joint *** need x2 ***

SU2-402 $4.90 Front Lower Control Arm Bushing *** need x4 ***
SU2-415 $4.40 Front Upper Control Arm Bushing *** need x4 ***

SU2-407 $3.40 Front Swaybar Inner Bushing *** need x2 ***
SU2-485 $3.40 Front Swaybar Outer Bushing *** need x2 ***

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Cheers,
phaetn

[toplessexpat]

While you're under there messing around - did you get a look at the Guibo? If it's less than pristine, it's worth a change.... and while your're there, the Driveshaft Bearing and Universal Joints....

[azruss]

If your tie rods are in decent shape, you just need to buy the tie rod ball joints rather than the entire rods. they are easy to replace once you get the old ones apart. I would also recommend buying the a-arms if its in your budget. those ball joints are a PITA to change out. Dont do an alignment until all that has been done. You will also need to do camber and caster as well. when you take the a-arms off, keep track of the shims and make sure they get back to the same location. your issues sound more like worn suspension parts rather than a steering issue. Leave the steering box alone until this work is finished.

[narfire]

As I mentioned in another post, these are not snap your neck fast, unless $$$ spent on the engine, but when the suspension is dialed in, the car is a delight in the turns. Tie rod ends usually are all you need, swap all the ball joints, they can be a pain to remove but if your patient then doable.
Have some $$$$ ?? I like the 1 inch front bar and aftermarket springs and Koni Yellows. I have 15 inch wheels and the car sticks really well.

[DanD]

A bad bushing in one of the large rear trailing arms out back can create the symptoms you describe.

[phaetn]

Thanks for the replies.

I was sort of hoping to avoid changing the control arms unless they were actually damaged. Bushings I know just wear out as the rubber squishes and fatigues; I was hoping metal control arms would still be good unless the car had some sort of impact to the wheels.

A bad bushing in one of the large rear trailing arms out back can create the symptoms you describe.

Yes, I was wondering about that, too. I'll add them to the list.

Guibo? What's a Guibo?!? I'll look it up...

As for upgraded suspension bits, I'll wait for that until the future. I've had my eye on the yellow Konis, but right now I'm happy to keep it stock. I see suspension bits at a future Christmas though.

Thanks folks!

Cheers,
phaetn

[4uall]

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/DR5-4 ... t--Guibo-/

[toplessexpat]

Guibo = the donut.... Connects the transmission to the driveshaft via six bolts (three facing forwards and three backwards.....)

[phaetn]

Gotcha.

I just saw an episode of Wheeler Dealers where they were working on a Lotus Elan. It had two rubber doughnuts for each half-shaft. An English company ended up making custom CV joints for the application since the rubber was prone to sheer in two!

Guibo on the list.

Cheers,
phaetn

[vandor]

Do you plan on replacing the a-arm bushings yourself? Doing the uppers is easy, but the lowers can be a huge pain even with a press. If you are not a seasoned mechanic then you should consider getting complete lower arms.

Concur on the tie-rod ends, you don't really need the assemblies, only the tie-rod pair and reus you old sleeve and clamps.

[phaetn]

I was planning on having it done by a mechanic.

Not sure if I should spend the extra ~$175 to get the control arms with everything on them (I assume they come with the ball joints on them and boots), or just stick to just components that I know I need: tie rod ends, centre link, ball joints, as per the mech's inspection.

I wonder how much I'd pay in labour to have the mech replace four ball joints and press the a-arm bushings versus buying everything already assembled and just have him swap everything out at once... At least I'd have the benefit of knowing everything is tight and new so when it comes to alignment/camber/caster I'd be starting with a solid base.

Decisions, decisions...

Csaba, can you confirm that I wouldn't need to buy ball joints separately, but that they come with the new control arms?

Cheers,
phaetn

[wizard124]

I documented my front end job here: http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... a&start=60
page 5 and 6. Sorry but the picture links are messed up. Go to my photobucket page and you can find the pictures.

Lower bushings were $60 labor by a machine shop. Expect some creep once you are in there.....maybe wheel bearings, brakes, dust covers, brake lines. Better to get it all squared away while you are in there, IMO. I was a front end rookie, not too hard.

[phaetn]

Order in.

Decided to go with completely new control arms, upper and lower. Might as well get everything replaced and get it done right.

Cheers,
phaetn