I hate to go off topic, but should be the last time.

I could go into great detail on the difference between struts and shocks in the case of the front of our car, but to keep it simple, a strut turns when the wheel turns and is the spring, dampener, and steering knuckle all in one assembly, where else in our case, our dampener (shock) and spring assembly is separate from the steering knuckle and doesn't turn as the wheel turns.

McPherson Strut suspension uses struts

Double Wishbone suspension (in our case) uses shocks.

To OP, glad to know every thing worked out for you!

 

i figure you saved a couple bills. what shocks did you use. next do the outer tie rod ends.

 

I think we're splitting hairs. IMO, a shock is something you can change out in 15 mins. Unbolt two bolts, bolt in a new one. A strut is something inside a coil spring that requires specialized tools to dissassemble. In this case a spring compressor, sometimes called a strut compressor. Ya'll call it what you want. To me it's a strut in the front and a shock in the back.

 

this has been gone over many times with the same conclusion. agree to disagree. call it what you wish doesnt matter, i call it both sometimes shock sometimes strut. its technically a shock but looks like a strut.

 

I put KYB GR-2's on. But for our car it is called the Excel-G which is the same shock, just black instead of silver. Idk why they have two names for it, but ON KYB's site it explains they are the same. I went with these because they seem to be the best value for a stock setup. They were only $80 each from rockauto.com opposed to $160 each from advance auto. BIG difference. I also got these the match the rear shocks that I replaced last year. The GR-2's are designed for old suspension systems, worn springs and other components that loose a little dampening over time. I think they are 10% stiffer than the de carbons that come from the factory. But man, My car rides perfectly now with all 4 shocks replaced.

I encourage everyone, If you have the money, Replace them. You will be happy you did. its a night and day difference.

 

I tihnk my tie rod ends are fine. The driver side is original, has 206,000 miles on it. But the passenger side has been changed. I dont see any signs that they are bad, Steering is tight and not play or clunking.

 

I have replaced the steering rack, outer /inner tierods, sway bar bushings and end links, upper and lower ball joints. I still have a clunk. I think it's the wormn out LCA bushings. Thats the only thing left that looks suspect. I'll probably do the shocks/springs and bushings all at once whenever I feel like diving into that project. Not looking forward to that one.

 

outer tie rod ends are a common wear point. any play at all and thats the first thing i would look at.

 

New, installed last November.

 

i was talkin to the op