CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I looked around before posting this and couldn't find any answers. If I didn't look hard enough, please feel free to post a link.

My 04 5AT TL has about 67,700 miles on the clock right now. The last 100 miles or so, I have noticed that the ride has become very very rough. The car has stock suspension and the stock 17" wheels and tires. When I took off my 20" RJ's and put back on the 17's (about 3 weeks ago), I took it into my local shop for a balance and alignment. Everything went fine but they said both of my rear stock wheels were bent. Hearing that, I got on Craigslist and started searching around for replacements. Luckily I found a set of 18x8.5 Gunmetal A-Specs for only $500. I grabbed those 2 nights ago, but since I have recently quit my job, my parents are making me wait until the tires on my 17's die out to get tires for the A-Specs and mount them on the car.

Sorry for rambling. But here is my question. After a certain amount of miles on a car, should the stock shocks/springs be changed? Can a rough ride and steering wheel vibration be caused by shocks, or is that more of a wheel/tire problem? Since my stock wheels have been on for 3 weeks and the rough ride has begun only in the last 100 miles or so, are the bent wheels starting to take a toll on my car?

Sorry for all of the questions, but any advice given would be greatly appreciated

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Normally when an alignment is done and suspension checked, the mechanic would be more than willing to sell suspension parts, so I assume that nothing was found.
No set mileage to replace suspension parts, only do a replacement after they fail. Worn out shocks/springs will cause more of a roll and a great amout of bouncing as the worn units can't control body movement correctly. With 67K on the car, unless it's been driven over the Baja the suspension should be fine, and I'd start with the basics, air pressure and tire balance.

wasupdog

iTrader: (2)

you're driving around on bent rims so you can't diagnose if it's your suspension or not until you get some rims on there that will balance and roll straight without wobbling. under normal driving conditions i would guess that the stock shocks would be good for at least 100k unless you hit something and it blew a shock.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Thank you both for your responses and great advice.

Driving around 30 miles today total, I can still feel the vibrations. I'm not rough whatsoever on my car, and try my best to keep it clean and serviced properly, so the shocks should be in pretty good condition. Also, I have a great mechanic, so he would tell me if anything on my car needed replacing.

Hopefully I will be throwing on those A-Specs soon to see if that makes any difference

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Use a Hunter Road Force machine to do the balance job. It was the only unit that could take the 65-75 mph vibration out of the TL.
http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Thanks

I have the vibration starting around 30 miles an hour. This thing will do the job? And there are a shit load around here, so I'm sure I can get it done soon.

DanL

iTrader: (2)

No amount of balancing is going be able to compensate for bent rims. You'll either need to get the rims straightened (generally around $100-150 each) or replace them.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I picked up a set of 18x8.5 Gunmetal A-Specs that I'm going to slap on the car within the next month or so.