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I need some advice on my somewhat sluggish but VERY reliable 1994 NG900 (2.3L non-turbo, Auto, 3dr, 111k mi.) -- engine mounts just replaced and the suspension is functionally OK now, but there's a bad front hub (2 stripped bolt holes...unsafe to helicoil both) that makes this all the more urgent.
The NGs handling is performing to its limits on Vikings with 205/55/16 Potenza RE950s, on the good advice of this board. For the past year it's been getting the typical grunt groan and creak symptom that archive posts associate with strut mount bearing wear and/or strut washer corrosion. No cracks in strut mounts yet; the struts themselves seem to recover OK on the bumper bounce test (vertical movement at top nut is visible, both sides), but they hiss louder than snakes when going over bumps; and braking into a rough-surfaced curve can give handling that seems more scary than controlled. The ride is relatively harsh when compared to our 9-3 (1999, 88k mi.), and I envy how the 9-3 absorbs bumps with grace while the '94 NG hammers into them. There don't seem to be any signs of bushing or ball joint failure yet. For years I've considered the 9-3 suspension upgrade kit but declined due to cost (unfortunately, this is not a convertible, HOT or Viggen). I'm not looking for hi-end sport springs or Konis (harsher?), but want to do better than low-end KYBs.
To that end, I've decided to do a DIY rebuild on the strut towers as OE configuration and have collected the following:
OE Boge strut inserts
OE strut mounts and bearings
pair of used strut tower units with good hubs from another 3dr NG (95k mi.)
Beyond that, what would be the best maintenance option for this reliable but low resale value car:
Have an indie install my DIY OE config. towers and just hope for a softer ride?
Have an indie do the control arm upgrade kit later, when the joints/bushings go?
Have an indie install both at the same time now?
What is cost difference for these options?
posted by 172.162.23...
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