Suspension IMPROVEMENTS

[avalonian98]

Since so many of you all have been helpful to me on this site, I thought I would 'give back' a little information that may be helpful to others.

I bought my son a 98 avalon xls with 56k mi. Since buying the car in July 2010, I've been annoyed by the clunking noise in the front when going over bumps, cracks, dips, etc. It was driving me crazy. So, I threw down some cash to fix it. By the way...while the car was in the shop for the repairs and up on the lift, I was alerted to some issues I had with the rear suspension. So, I decided to address the rear end suspension as well. Here's what I did.

Moog coil springs (front), Moog coil spring isolators and seats, Moog bellows, Moog strut mounts, Moog stabilizer (sway bar) links (front and rear), Moog sway bar bushing kits (fronts are 18mm and rears were 16mm). Lastly, I installed KYB front struts. I bought most of these parts from Advance Auto Parts...prior to taking it to the mechanic for HIM to install.

The mechanic quickly showed me that he thought the rattling coming from the front was due to the strut mount....worn bushing. He also thought both the front struts were due to be replaced. As I said, I already had a box filled with the new parts (with the exception of the rear sway bar links which I quickly ran out and bought Moog's for him to replace). So, what are the results of all these newly installed parts??? FANTASTIC RIDE!!! NO RATTLES, CLUNKS, NOISE, ETC. The car rides like new!!!

Observations........MOOG parts are REALLY nice, especially the quality of the sway bar links. In fact, these Moog links are probably twice the size (in terms of the thickness of the link) when compared to the ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. The Moog s.b. links even have zirc fittings (unlike the originals) so they can be lubed and look like they will last FOREVER. Talk about HEAVY DUTY, the Moog parts appear to be well worth the money when compared to the cheaper parts that were available for me to choose.

Moral of the story.....Moog parts cost more for a reason. It seems they make them much better than any of the alternatives...especially the sway bar links. From what I've read, the Moog strut mounts are also far superior to alternatives. After reading dozens of posts about Avy's and their issue with strut mounts, I don't think I'd want to use anything but the best mounts possible.

So far, I love the way the car rides with my new Moog coil springs, links, bushings, etc. etc......as well as they new KYB struts. Yeah, I think I threw down about 800 bucks in new parts but it appears to have made a huge difference. I probably could have re-used the existing factory coil springs but what the heck. I didn't want to be bothered again with suspension issues so I 'sprung' for the new Moog coils. Don't be a tight-wad and buy cheap replacements. I think you'll regret it.

[jzvega]

how much did all the new parts set you back im thinking about doing the same thing to my 99 avalon platinum i just stole from original owner mint condtion 91,000 miles $3,000 with full service history i think after the suspension's right this car should easily go 250,000 miles right now i think it runs better than my wifes 07 maxima

[avalonian98]

without breaking out the calculator, i think it was very close to $800.00. i paid $315. to my mechanic to install. keep in mind, the only thing I did to the rear end was that is included in this price was sway bar end links and bushings. i did NOT replace the rear struts/mounts/coils. so...if you needed to address the rear on your car, i suppose you can add another you could add another 250, give or take.

[avalonian98]

jzvega---sorry, i must have been asleep when i replied. on second thought, to address your entire suspension (front & rear) with kyb struts, moog mounts, moog coil springs-seats-isolators-bellows-sway bar bushings-sway bar links, you'll pay closer to $1100.00. that's parts only!!! you may be able to save yourself some bucks from the $1,100.00 parts estimate i'm giving you if you carefully shop around (maybe ebay, amazon, etc.).

from what you're saying, it sounds like you could easily justify making these suspension improvements based on the steal you made on your '99. but, before you proceed with my approach, let me be clear. i was speaking highly of the quality of the moog parts i purchased primarily because of the OBVIOUS difference in their sway bar links as compared to the original equipment links. i'm telling you, the moog links were considerably more beefy...and greasable.

a quick visual inspection of the new moog strut mounts compared to the originals i replaced tells me the moogs are beefier...but this is somewhat of an assumption. others on this forum have stated from experience that it's important to buy the best mounts possible because they (mounts/bearings) are proven to be a source of many failures (along with sway bar bushings). since mounts get quite a workout, i decided to follow the advice of others who regretted buying 'cheaper' and bought moog.

one way you might save a few extra bucks is to buy lesser expensive coil springs, seats, isolators, and bellows. while i purchased moog replacements for these parts, i didn't take time to compare them against those that were removed from my vehicle. i think it's fair to say that seats, isolators, and bellows are probably not a big deal or cause for concern/failure. coil springs, on the other hand, could be a different story as they too get quite a workout. from what i recall, the new moog coil springs i bought for the front end were beefier than the originals i replaced.

a couple of final thoughts. i'm really glad i decided against doing the work myself. who was i fooling??? for $315.00, i didn't have to lift a wrench. in fact, my mechanic had to use a torch to remove some of the old parts. so, paying a real pro saved headaches. also, after nearly one week of driving, my son (who owns/drives the car) can't believe how nice it rides and how solid the car feels when going over bumps/cracks. i can only imagine how much nicer it would have been had i replaced the rear struts and springs but for now....it's all good! now it's time for a front end allignment ($40.00???) and wait for the next "Hey Dad, my car is"......

good luck with your project and while you're at it...don't forget to inspect the condition of other important parts that have not been mentioned such as ball joints (control arm), etc. from a labor standpoint, it's better/cheaper to do it all at the same time. you already have a jewel that should last you a long time so 'do it right'.

[American Pie]

Thanks for the great post and I agree, Moog has always been known for quality parts.

It sounds like your mechanic gave you a good deal on the labor, especially if a cutting torch was involved .

However I'm surprised he was "OK" with you buying the parts yourself. Shops typically frown on that practice big-time, because part of their income is generated by the markup they receive on the parts they buy and then resell to the customer. They compare this to buying your own bacon, eggs and bread, then bringing them to a restaurant and asking the chef to cook breakfast for you.

[avalonian98]

american pie...you're thinking as i was. i didn't think my mechanic would want the work without being the source for new parts. but, it's a small 'good ole boys' shop and they have all the work they want. so, they were willing to help out.

as for the mark-up and the mechanics profit, you're right again. i took the car to them and had ALL the parts with me that i needed for the front end. when they got the car on the lift, they did a quick inspection of the rear suspension and noticed the warn rear sway bar links. he called his parts store and quoted me a price that was double what i could buy them for. i simply told him to hold off on the rear. i then went to lunch while the front end work was being completed and magically returned with the rear s.b. links. i told him i had a change of heart and decided to buy them myself. he quickly put them on and charged me very fairly.