When is suspension "worn"?

Question

I've got 120k and just replaced some suspension parts. The ride feels so much better, and I was wondering at what miles I should have replaced my suspension parts, and which parts, to keep my vehicle with the ride it had when I bought it.

Also, I did all the shocks about 20k miles ago, but that didn't do much for the firmness and comfort of the ride, as opposed to the control arm bracket did.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

"Suspension parts" is way to general. There are ball joints, bushings, shocks, struts, springs, tie rods, struts and various and sundry links going on under your car.

Shocks and struts sometimes go out and get noisy as they clatter about after they've lost their tolerances, but generally speaking, if the ride is acceptable to you, they don't need replacing. My 1955 Volkswagen has 52 year old shocks and they still work properly.

Bushings are rubber and need replacing from time to time. You can't place a mileage number on it because it depends upon your driving style and terrain. Mine go out alot because I'm a somewhat aggressive driver.

Tie rods and ball joints need to be greased every time you do an oil change. I do them twice a year since I never change oil (I take the dirt out of the oil as I drive using a $200 oil cleaning device). Tie rods & ball joints are catastrophic when they go out so if your car is over ten years old, every two years take your car in to a high-end alignment shop and have everything checked and aligned.

If you have spring sag, one corner of your car will be lower than the others, or one end of the car will be lower. I've replaced the springs only once in my daily driver, a '66 Chevy. I don't believe the prior owner ever did.
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Answer 2

You should check the suspension parts every time you have an oil change. There are parts that need to be lubricated. Doing that will make them last longer.

Answer 3

jack it up and if the front end wobbles,then the suspension is wore.maybe you need new springs.