Hi again, I have a 94 accord EX manual with 213,000. This car is strictly used for back and forth to work only. The other day, I had to get on the interstate and at about 60 mph and above, I noticed how rough the ride was. It felt like it was out of alignment or balance.

When I got home, I checked the suspension components and noticed the upper control arm/upper ball joint looked like it had been totally compressed and void of grease. The stabilizer bar bushings were split and worn. Tie-rod ends and lower balljoint look fine for now.

My questions are: is the rough ride due to A) alignment/balance, B) worn upper balljoint and bushings C) all of the above; and can I get an alignment first and then change the upper control arm and stabilizer bar bushings or will changing those things knock it out of alignment again.

Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to give all the information.

 

first you should replace the worn out suspension members, both the upper an lower ball joints, and I would say all your bushings. I wouldn't hurt to do your shocks and springs, depending on the last time you changed those. After you get all that done rotate your tires, and balance them, then get a four wheel alingment.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

This is kind of what I thought. I have been pricing parts this morning and it's going to take a chunck of change. What are the components I need to change prior to an alignment and what can I change after an alignment?

Thanks again for your time.

Chris

 

actually tie rods and ball joints are cheap (if you do it yourself & you are able you saved more money then your car insurance) check out TASautoparts.com not too expensive and they deliver fast. As for the struts and spring (if u need springs) struts are relatively inexpensive get some monroe struts since you say it's back and forth car to work. And for springs do some shopping around not sure about them. One more thing if you have to replace your upper ball joints double check their condition if the boot is not ripped and the ball joint is good leave it be, i say this 'cause the entire uuper control arm( they are one unit) needs to be replaced

 

You are correct about TAS as far as pricing goes; I placed an order earlier. I will be replaceing tierods, upper control arms, and struts. I changed the halfshaft yesterday, and changing the other things looks straight foward. Can I expect any surprises when changing the struts, tierods, and control arms?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ckabee1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You are correct about TAS as far as pricing goes; I placed an order earlier. I will be replaceing tierods, upper control arms, and struts. I changed the halfshaft yesterday, and changing the other things looks straight foward. Can I expect any surprises when changing the struts, tierods, and control arms?</TD></TR></TABLE>

sometimes it takes some finessing and muscling to get all the suspension parts to line up, so it wouldnt be a bad idea to have a friend or two there to help....atleast thats from my personal experiance with my accord.

 

I don't have any friends. Oh, well, my wife and two kids will work. lol

Thanks for the posts, guys!