Hello all. My SO is the very happy owner of a 2002 Limited automatic with 70k miles, we picked it up a couple of weeks ago.
I've been doing research and learned about the control arm bushings, which makes me want to find the beancounter at MB who cheaped them out and flog him with an air hose.
Because truth be told I wasn't expecting much out of the car, but drove it 200 miles home and was impressed overall. The slight thunk I heard I chalked up to it being, well, an inexpensive car. But now I know different.
So, I thought I'd ask the experts a couple of questions, see what I should do to this vehicle to keep it running well for my better half. I think it's better to change a part than get stranded and do more damage.
Front end / suspension: I already bought the Energy kit, so off come the lower control arms. Being an overkill kinda guy, I figure while I've already got them off I'd consider changing the struts (including springs), front axles, lower ball joints, and outer tierod ends. The struts seem OK except for a very slight wobble at highway speeds from the passenger front (which could indeed be a tire).
Have any of these other parts been a common repair, or am I flushing $ down the hole?
Drivetrain: goes without saying (almost
) tranny filter / fluid, wires, plugs, air filter, look at the hoses and belts. Should the timing belt be replaced? The fan and/or any relays? Water pump? Anything else?
Rear suspension: The bushings are in the kit. Should I change the actual Watts link, or will the bushings be OK (I haven't heard any noise back there, except when backing up and turning at the same time, I thought it might be brake noise but never dealt with Watts)? What about those tierod-looking things? If I change the front struts I'll go ahead and change the back shocks/springs.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Any suggestions and advice is much appreciated, and anything I learn will be passed on.
Pete