When I first started taking apart the suspension, I realized it would take a lot longer than I had time for. Every bolt I attempted to loosen was stubborn. I didn't seem to have all the right tools. I decided I would tackle the easy stuff; sway bar links and idler arm, and then use the best estimate I had found (I called three different places), to do the rest of the work.
Finding estimates for car repair work can be annoying, and for people who don't know much about cars, I suppose it can be useless. How do you know what's the difference between service and heavy duty parts, bushing replacement vs whole assembly replacement, greaseless versus greasable, not to mention part brands and warranties?
I know a thing or two, and settled on a Brake Masters I have been taking the Crown Vic to since we moved to Tucson. When I asked them to do the work and brought up the previous estimate, redacting the work I had already done, they were a little wishy-washy, but it's important to be persistent and clear what you want done. Take down names of people you talk to, make physical lists, and be explicit in what you want done, with what type of parts, and to contact you if there are any issues. This is really the only way to get your money's worth. At the end of the day, you have to trust that a business will do their best.
Brake Masters replaced the upper control arm bushings and ball joints with Moog parts. They did not use greasable units, but ball joints on Crown Victoria's seem to have a short finite life anyways. The lower ball joints were also replaced. During my own inspection, I found that the tie rod adjuster sleeves were actually slipping, which was a bit scary. They assured me it was possible to cinch them down more, but they did not look so great anyways, so I persisted that they replace them, a reasonable extra $30+ amount.
Now the original reason for the suspension work, the pulling to one side when braking, doesn't happen, and the steering is much tighter. There's still some additional work to do, but this is a great bit to make it safer.
Finding estimates for car repair work can be annoying, and for people who don't know much about cars, I suppose it can be useless. How do you know what's the difference between service and heavy duty parts, bushing replacement vs whole assembly replacement, greaseless versus greasable, not to mention part brands and warranties?
I know a thing or two, and settled on a Brake Masters I have been taking the Crown Vic to since we moved to Tucson. When I asked them to do the work and brought up the previous estimate, redacting the work I had already done, they were a little wishy-washy, but it's important to be persistent and clear what you want done. Take down names of people you talk to, make physical lists, and be explicit in what you want done, with what type of parts, and to contact you if there are any issues. This is really the only way to get your money's worth. At the end of the day, you have to trust that a business will do their best.
Brake Masters replaced the upper control arm bushings and ball joints with Moog parts. They did not use greasable units, but ball joints on Crown Victoria's seem to have a short finite life anyways. The lower ball joints were also replaced. During my own inspection, I found that the tie rod adjuster sleeves were actually slipping, which was a bit scary. They assured me it was possible to cinch them down more, but they did not look so great anyways, so I persisted that they replace them, a reasonable extra $30+ amount.
Now the original reason for the suspension work, the pulling to one side when braking, doesn't happen, and the steering is much tighter. There's still some additional work to do, but this is a great bit to make it safer.
Comments
Post a Comment