Getting the two front struts replace soon as car is approaching 200k miles. Should I get the upper control arm on each side replace too since the shop is in there replacing the front strut. Will replacing the front upper control arm help with handling or anything?

 

Paul, our master star mechanic in NJ says if you're going to go through the labor to replace struts at that mileage, change the upper control arms since its likely the upper ball joints are worn too. Also consider changing the lower ball joints as well while you're there.

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I would get the upper control arm done also, they are cheap like $100 for two new OEM .

 

OP, if you do replace them, give us a report on the condition of the old ball joints for a reference. Sub'd for info.

 

Will update guys and thanks for the help. Looks like I will get two OEM upper control arms replace at the same time as the struts.

 

also check the lower ball join, along with the LCA bushing. After you replace all of that the handling can be restore to new, it will soak up the bump better than your current one.

 

There is no mileage designated for replacement, so I would only replace items that are needed.
Why replace something that isn't needed? If nothing is worn, the only change will be the shocks,
and depending on the shocks purchased, the ride could be better, or worse.
I've got an '08 knock around car that has OEM parts that haven't been changed, 264,000
miles no problem, and the RX7 TII has 210,000 all original suspension.
The daughter sold her 2000 Maxima last year and purchased an Audi, no suspension changes
in the 16 years of ownership and 274,000 miles.
Just don't throw money away if it's not needed.

 

I'll agree with this to a certain extent.

I wouldn't replace parts just because they're 200K miles old.

Though, if OP is looking to save time on labour costs by avoiding future repairs or if OP wants the car to be "restored", then looking into new components from Acura will be a good idea.

I would be leary of buying aftermarket components for ball joints, tie rods, bushings, etc.

 

It's called preventative maintenance. There are plenty of variables to factor as in OP driving habits, OP road condition ect.. I only speak for living in North NJ and my 11 years experience in the automotive industry, he should replace things like the upper control arms, lower ball joints and lower control arm bushings. All three are notorious for failures. My TL 2004 TL has 99,550 and I'm on my 2nd set of lower ball joints. I ended up overhauling the entire suspension. My Tein super street coils were worn (7 years old), so I installed new Tein Street Advance coils, new upper control arms, new lower ball joints, new control arm bushings, new sway bar bushing and links and replace the upper trail arm on the rear which has the ball joint. I ordered everything just as a preventative. My findings, the right front upper control arm, the left rear upper arm, front sway bar bushings and links and the lower control arm bushing needed replacement at that moment. The rest still had time. The end result, the TL drove amazing. Felt like a new vehicle. What I haven't done yet and should be done soon, are my outer tie rods and rear sway bar bushings. I ended up doing the rear sway bar links because the right rear broke while driving and this was after the overhaul. It felt tight before I did the work, but go figure, it broke. Again, I only speak for my years of experience in this area. I'm sure vehicles out of the salt belt with better road conditions, would have longer lasting suspension and suspension components.

 

^Has some merit, but the factory units wear, that's why we replace them and a great many aftermarket parts come with lifetime warranties that probably doesn't matter as the car will be gone before the component fails again.
On item I would do if the upper BJ was to be replaced, is to do a replacement with an after market adjustable unit. That way the camber could be adjusted if necessary.

 

Certainly can't go wrong with preventive maintenance. Is it really needed? Maybe, maybe not.

Turbonut brings up a good idea about going with the adjustable UCA if doing a replacement.

Re: the UCA and LBJ, I've seen no evidence to suggest "notorious for failure" on the 3G TL. Just saying.


That could very well be because you are slammed, dunno. I'm at 255K and my LBJs are still not loose. I just checked them 2 weeks ago when I installed my PCI compliance bushings.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

This says it all!
Our '04 TL just turned 100k miles and there isn't one item that needs replacement on the car.
Parts and accessory stores just wait for the people that do what is noted above preventive maintenance,
the unnecessary replacement of good parts.

Before anyone gets their pants twisted, timing belt and plugs are on the list, probably in next month or so.

 

I'm glad you mentioned that you plan to replace the timing belt. You saved yourself from several of these:

 

Struts are a load bearing member of a car's front suspension... the TL does not have front struts, it is a double wishbone with front shocks...in the form of a coil over setup