Questions about Front Suspension

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Libby Chantel - 04 Feb 2005 18:45 GMT

How do you know if McPherson struts are bad - do you employ the "bounce
test"?
My 95 Cougar doesn't seem to handle as well as it used to, seems to
kind of ripple a little and lean while speeding thru the Dallas
traffic. But it passes the bounce test.

Also, how would you know if the tie rod ends or other front end
components are bad? If I take it to a shop for diagnosis, they will
tell me I need all new everything :) Maybe my problem is looseness in
the steering? It has rack and pinion steering...

Thanks,
Libby

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« Paul » - 05 Feb 2005 05:28 GMT

> How do you know if McPherson struts are bad - do you employ the "bounce
> test"?
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks,
> Libby

Struts have to be really, really bad to fail the bounce test.
As a rule of thumb, at 65k miles replace the struts. They are shot.
At 120k miles replace the struts, suspension parts, bushings, etc.

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Mike Walsh - 05 Feb 2005 14:49 GMT

> How do you know if McPherson struts are bad - do you employ the "bounce
> test"?
> My 95 Cougar doesn't seem to handle as well as it used to, seems to
> kind of ripple a little and lean while speeding thru the Dallas
> traffic. But it passes the bounce test.

Do the bounce test on each side. If they react differently one side is bad.

> Also, how would you know if the tie rod ends or other front end
> components are bad? If I take it to a shop for diagnosis, they will
> tell me I need all new everything :) Maybe my problem is looseness in
> the steering? It has rack and pinion steering...

Put the car on jackstands. Look for play in the ball joints, tie rods, etc.

> Thanks,
> Libby

Signature

Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

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Daniel J. Stern - 05 Feb 2005 15:58 GMT

> How do you know if McPherson struts are bad - do you employ the "bounce
> test"?

The "bounce test" is not a particularly good method; many suspensions are
set up such that they'll always pass, even with shitty struts. How long
have they been on the car?

> My 95 Cougar doesn't seem to handle as well as it used to, seems to
> kind of ripple a little and lean while speeding thru the Dallas
> traffic.

Voila. Get new ones.

> Also, how would you know if the tie rod ends or other front end
> components are bad?

Inspection.

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