I have a 99 TL. About a month ago I took it to a shop to replace the CV joints. Now that is not the issue. Within a week of having it done I replaced my brake pads. While jacking up my car I heard what sounded like a small handgun firing. I checked my car but couldn't find where the sound came from. Now the issue. A day or two later I noticed, especially at freeway speeds, whenever I hit a bump there is SIGNIFICANT sideways sway in car. Especially the rear. The vertical travel isn't any greater or less, & the car is still level. So do I just need to replace my shocks & struts, or could it be something worse?

 

find out what the noise was, sounds serious if the car is not handling properly
An alignment shop can ck it for you
NOT a big name corporate shop = unless you like being bent over and problem not properly identified!

 

our control arms are a popular wearout failure

 

Will be taking it to a shop this weekend.
Will update.

The most alarming part is the sound came from the front of the vehicle, but it's the rear that feels loose.

Arrrgh...

 

could be as simple as the sway bar end link broke- that's common and easy to replace

 

Check your lower and upper balls joints for excessive play. Also check the tie rod bj.

Changing an axle out requires the disconnection of the lower ball joint from the lower control arm. Its possible the shop didn't tighten the nut back on or forgot to put a new cotter pin back in.

Jack the front end of the car up and take each wheel with your hands by its 12 and 6 oclock positions and then 3 and 9 oclock positions and move the wheel back and forth. There should be NO play at all in either directions. If there is play then a bushing or ball joint is worn or not tightened. Also check your axle nut for proper tightness. The wheel bearing gets loose if the axle nut is loose.

 

Took it to an alignment shop (non-franchise) as recommended. Turns out one of the rear strut bolts had loosened by as much as 1/2inch. Have no idea as how that bolt could of loosened.

He also recommended that I replace the rear struts (both) as the drivers side was excessively worn out. As a plus he didn't charge me anything, & said I should be able to make it another month before scheduling the strut replacement.

I did buy the car just over a year ago (14months) & the guy I bought it from had put in a new engine & dropped it. Thinking he must of done a s#*t job on the lowering. I believe it would be better to replace all four shocks & struts. Any recommendations on a good spring & strut package? I'm using it as a daily driver & children shuttler. Don't need/want an airbag setup, & once done I don't think I'll fool with it again. So a coilover may or may not be essential either.

Thanks guys.

 

How is the rear strut worn out- was it leaking oil?
Lower bolt for strut was loose? same strut?

If you want to keep it on the wife approved/gentle on children ride, stay away from most coilovers

some new `oe spec/quality` on the old springs will do, if both parts new it will ride like a tank, especially if gas charged struts!
That's assuming old owner didn't cut the springs to lower it,,whats in it for suspension now?

how many miles on the car?
It has a new engine? why? timing belt broke?

 

Looks like I will just go with some OEM struts.

The frame has 280,000 miles the engine is at 120,000.
He allegedly wanted to go all JDM & put in a J32A. Who knows.

As for the springs now they look like some off the shelf Eibachs.