Suspension Wear Items

[Steve Tinker]

Originally Posted by mgfranz

At 91k miles, where are common failure points in the suspension and what should I be looking for?

If the control arms / drop links / roll bar mounts etc are not rattling or squeaking, then I would say @ 91K miles the shocks themselves are getting towards the end of their life. A very good wheel alignment maxing out your negative camber with a smidge of caster helps "feel", but if the shocks damping has deteriorated, you will get that floating sensation as road speed increases....
My experience with the rattling Boxster suspension took many weeks of pushing, pulling twisting and hitting with a rubber mallet - nothing worked. You cannot trace worn suspension parts easily while the car is on jackstands - even though my drop links and coffin arms were loose (rattling on corrugations), in the end I had to bite the bullet and change out the complete front suspension. Only after the worn parts are removed from the car can you feel the wear.

[mgfranz]

Hadn't thought about the shocks fading out, sounds like it's time to do some groping and prodding... Thanks

[jedblanks]

bolts on each front wheel clamp the bottom of the strut to the wheel spindle/carrier. Before going any farther, make sure those bolts are torqued to spec,which is 63 ft lbs I think.

[kk2002s]

Wheel bolts I believe are 96 ft/lbs

Car has 91k miles, if there has been no replacement then a few things will be worn
Lower control arms(Ball Joints), Tie rod ends (maybe inners), drop links and bushings, wheel alignment.
What about your tires, what kind of shape are these in? Any noticeable uneven wear?
Tire pressure? These cars are so sensitive to tires and pressure.

There is no greasing or Ball joint replacement on these cars, you replace suspension components

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

then I would say @ 91K miles the shocks themselves are getting towards the end of their life.

At 91K miles, the original shocks are almost certainly completely worn out.