99 T&C CV joint/bushing/shock replacement?

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harry - 29 Apr 2005 02:35 GMT

Hi, all,

Just have my 99 (purchased 98) T&C serviced by replacing all spark plugs, it
has 97,000 on it. Man, it feels like a new engine--fast and quiet. It kind
of brought back the sweet memory when I got it new. So, I am thinking of
making it new again.

Here's some left over "problems" that needs to be solved.
The front steering wheel makes some kind of cracking sound while I am
turning the wheel especially while it is at slow speed. I believe the
steering lubrication/mechanism is getting old after almost 100,000 miles of
use. What should I look at and replace at this moment? CV joint?
Also the suspension is pretty rough when running a pot hole or bump. This
is very obvious every time I pull out this car from driveway to the road.
That unsmooth surface seems putting a lot of pressure to the suspension.
Should I look at/replace the shock/bushing? Same thing happened on the
rear.

What is the reasonable lifespan of shocks? What kind of damage $ am I
looking at?
Is there anyone here experienced replacing the shocks after high mileage?

Thank you for any suggestion.

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Bill Putney - 29 Apr 2005 11:04 GMT

> Hi, all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> The front steering wheel makes some kind of cracking sound while I am
> turning the wheel especially while it is at slow speed...

OK - but how's the rear steering wheel? (sorry) :)

That should be a bad CV joint. Determine which side and replace that
half shaft. Chances are you'll find the boot split on the bad one,
which will save you further diagnosis.

> I believe the
> steering lubrication/mechanism is getting old after almost 100,000 miles of
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Should I look at/replace the shock/bushing? Same thing happened on the
> rear.

Can't be sure, but that could be as simple as sway bar bushings or end
links. You'd be surprised how much racket and frame vibes bad sway bar
components can make - I thought my Concorde's engine cradle was falling
out - replaced sway bar bushings and all is well. I'd certainly do that
before going to the expense of struts if they don't need it. It's
possible you need struts *and* sway bar bushings, but like I say, why
replace the struts if they don't need it.

> What is the reasonable lifespan of shocks? What kind of damage $ am I
> looking at?
> Is there anyone here experienced replacing the shocks after high mileage?
>
> Thank you for any suggestion.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

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