Replaced suspension components at 200k miles

[BostonBurley]

Just finished installing nearly every suspension component that has bushings or ball joints. Had to saw some bolts and source new ones at the hardware store, but otherwise pretty straight forward.
For the record I bought Model X slipstream wheels, Conti dws06+ staggered tires, and I got new pads and rotors all around.

The difference is night and day... feels like new again. Getting an alignment tomorrow and hoping to try some spirited driving just to feel it out. I’m taking my pup on a 5,500 mi road trip in two weeks so we should be in good shape for a smooth ride.

 

[VaztheDad]

Brother, all props for doing this work!

Can you post a complete list for the community? I'm sure we would all like to know what to consider when our cars hit higher mileage.

Congrats on 200k!

 

[BostonBurley]

Brother, all props for doing this work!

Can you post a complete list for the community? I'm sure we would all like to know what to consider when our cars hit higher mileage.

Congrats on 200k!

Front
upper control arms
Lower fore control arms
Lower aft control arms (requires bolt cutting)
Tie rod ends
Sway bar links
Rotors and pads
Lowering links

Rear
Adjustable camber arms
Adjustable toe arms (requires bolt cutting)
Lower control arms
Lower control arm End links
Sway bar end links
Rotors and pads
Lowering links

 

[Doanster1]

Job well done! Been a long road for you with all the camber arm and lowering link issues. Enjoy the road trip!

 

[aerodyne]

Front
upper control arms
Lower fore control arms
Lower aft control arms (requires bolt cutting)
Tie rod ends
Sway bar links
Rotors and pads
Lowering links

Rear
Adjustable camber arms
Adjustable toe arms (requires bolt cutting)
Lower control arms
Lower control arm End links
Sway bar end links
Rotors and pads
Lowering links

And this was on a SoCal car? Pretty surprised it needed all that work.

 

[gaswalla]

awesome work! sounds like a few thousand in parts?

 

[bishoppeak]

Could bushings have been replaced? Seems like that would save a lot of $$

 

[BostonBurley]

And this was on a SoCal car? Pretty surprised it needed all that work.

Actually I had several different things replaced over the 200k, but it’s the weight of the car on bushings and has zero to do with weather. Hot weather is worse for rubber longevity, so a SoCal car in particular will be in need.

 

[BostonBurley]

awesome work! sounds like a few thousand in parts?

The rear camber arms were 60% of the suspension cost lol. CarID.com had most of the parts in stock and were surprisingly affordable. Brakes and pads were only $300. I have a newer battery and a new drive unit, so this stuff kept me from feeling confident in the car. Now it seems to be great.

 

[BostonBurley]

Could bushings have been replaced? Seems like that would save a lot of $$

The parts weren’t expensive at all. But no, pressing bushings was not an option. They aren’t stocked or made for the most part from my research.

 

[BostonBurley]

I got an alignment at one place; great work but they couldn’t figure out the front camber. Almost 1.4 up front. Went to another place with nice new equipment and their machine said COMPLETELY different specs. I only had 0.9 front camber after all. It made me feel like I need a third alignment place to verify. What a hassle.
DO NOT BUY N2ITIVE REAR CAMBER ARMS. the first place spent almost four hours on the back of the car bc they’re so incredibly cumbersome. Would gladly trade them for Unplugged version.

 

[Doanster1]

Where’s my ? Lol

 

[2101Guy]

Nice work. And enjoy your road trip with your best friend!

 

[TonyT]

And this was on a SoCal car? Pretty surprised it needed all that work.

200k miles eats the suspension up. I've pretty much done the same for my X.

 

[TonyT]

Could bushings have been replaced? Seems like that would save a lot of $$

A few of the arms have been revised with newer versions. The older ones have sheared for some people, there are posts here from people who have had original control arm and camber arms fail.

 

[aerodyne]

200k miles eats the suspension up. I've pretty much done the same for my X.

At my current driving habits of 7k per year, I won't see that milage for decades into the future, but good to know.