what should i do 1st. change strut or check break (repair if necessary) or wheel alignment?

Question

i can feel the pot hole in my rear end (of the car) when i hit one,and my break's sounded like squicking. do i need to aline all 4 wheels after I done the repair..which one should I do 1st so I can save money ...

in 1998 corolla

Answer 1

I just had the same problem. First I changed the bent rim. then i looked around for decent but cheap tires. then i finally got the alignment fixed and now my car is driving alot better. oh but i had new struts before i hit the pot hole....

Answer 2

The repairs you listed are usually done in this order:
1) Change the strut(s) out
2) Four-wheel alignment to ensure the car is still aligned properly
3) Any brake diagnostics/repair work that need to be done.

With some cars, adjustments on the strut mounting bracket control your wheel alignment...so you should always check your alignment if you don't know what kind of camber/castor adjustment your car uses. Better that than fix your strut only to lose your tire to an alignment problem.

The brakes are a vital system, but they can be checked just as easily after you've done your suspension work. Be sure not to leave them out if they need to be addressed, though.

Answer 3

before doing anything, you should understand what parts make up that area where the noise exists. Your corolla has a lot of different parts that make up the rear axle areas. you have the following parts or components:
- shocks , springs, and other suspension components
- brake rotor, caliper, and brake pads.
to make it simpler to answer your ?, if you start hearing the rear of the car knocking to every little bump after you hit the pothole,
I would have the springs and shocks checked. It may have blown out the shocks or you simply broke the spring. That squeaking sound is a definite symptom of a blown shock absorber, and the car is being supported in that area only by the spring. Good luck.

Answer 4

The strut definately. The break has nothing to do with the shock absorption of the car if you do not get the strut taken care of it could cause the other ones to go more quickly. or you could break a tie rod. No alignment is needed for a strut reapir but if your tires are changed then you would need alignment. Check your breakpads they may just be dirty.

Answer 5

Depending on the suspension setup it would be very wise to to have it checked, and on some suspensions you do not have a choice but to align. I have do this type of work for over 17 years, just changing shocks on a car can change the ride height which almost always will change the alignment.

Answer 6

Change your rear shocks and breaks at the same time at home. You shouldn't have to worry about the alignment on the rear end, because the only way your rear end should come out of alignment is with frame damage.

Answer 7

Do your safety items first:

- Brakes definitely if they are bad. Most shops will give you an estimate for free.

- Do the struts second because after you add struts you need a mandatory alignment.

Hope that helps.

Answer 8

Definitely do the brakes first

Answer 9

Check your breaks