Excessive play, I can get under the car and wiggle link front to back. Both ends of each link. Initially did not hear clunk. I do feel more noise now. Maybe few more weeks to an audible clunk?
I was also wondering about the weak strut part. On net search, this does not come up at all. The topic forks into either strut or end link. The struts are 2 yr old KYB vs OEM. So when the oem struts were bad initially, even bad struts were smooth though bouncy (float ride). (I know. This goes without say, weaker oems are better than aftermarket. But lets go past that one for now).
This should be simple inspection but... When I took them out before front and rear struts were still hard to press down and rebound was good. Fronts were little harder than fronts (maybe that is spec). Maybe the springs are weak and that could be causing some strain on the struts (absorbers).
I will take it to a different inspection place than firestone or should I just pay for it at dealer? And then go from there?
Just today I had wife take our honda for alignment at firestone and then got the inspection. They found nothing. Just last night I took a pic from engine bay of an obvious leak at gear box at steering column where there is an NPT connector going to rubber hose (rack itself was clean). Nope, "everything is fine" was what I heard back.
Thanks.
Geez, wonder how they failed. I've used some cheap end links on my friends Camry and Moog all around for my 1998. Grease'em up about a year ago about 6K miles ago. Gonna grease em again but they are all tight and solid. Even on my other car where I know the end links are worn, they don't wiggle under load (say car is on ramps and I'm under it) unless I really go at them and they move just a tad bit.
Some people might let these stuff go because it is 'normal' for a car this age and a tough call for their image to the client. It's kind of a fine line really. They don't want to sound like they want all your money because 'everything is bad' from age/miles (i.e. bushing are worn, struts bad, oil leak everywhere b/c seeping, excessive belt dust, brake fluid hasn't been change etc) vs not saying anything and making like they don't care about your car(i.e. leaks around VC, ps hose seeping around metal line, tires are old, but client isn't complaining, so it's OK). Also, sometimes they don't tend to say anything unless it is major to prevent anxiety with the customer such as maybe a cracked power steering rack and pinion boot. Customer might get freaked out and refuse to drive when really it isn't a major deal at all - at lease for me. Sometimes you need to specify (i.e. please check for any kind of leaks - landlord is concern about pavement leaks) for them to look and let you know about *anything*.
