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 Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!

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Jack the R
carguy8888
knoxbroadcaster
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knoxbroadcaster
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knoxbroadcaster


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Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! Empty
PostSubject: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 10, 2021 2:50 pm

Hello all

I have a 1996 Riviera SC, my daily driver and a 98 parts car.

the 96 has almost 250k miles and the front suspension shows it. cracked rubber bushings, grease leaking from a few places, some noises and vibration.

My question, are these any good? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=60820&cc=1022038&pt=7584&jsn=884

MONROE 71822 {#931822} OESpectrum  Front; Replaces Strut Assemblies without a Lower Spring Seat Bracket.

In general, for our cars replacing control arms is preferable to trying to replace just the bushings and ball joint correct? Does this look like a good part at a good price? Amazon says it fits 96 Riv.

https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Mevotech-MS20328-Control-Joint/dp/B001NZATJ8/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=control+arm&pd_rd_r=8434734b-b88e-4c7d-a572-07359983781a&pd_rd_w=kr0qB&pd_rd_wg=VmtQQ&pf_rd_p=bec88bc8-d41e-4895-a8dc-a35e165b8995&pf_rd_r=2VBJEQYXD6MEWQ4QMXN8&pid=86AhLfD&qid=1625942843&sr=1-5&vehicle=1996-45-394-20--7-6-5--377-1-1-129--&vehicleName=1996+Buick+Riviera

If anyone knows anything about quick struts I'd prefer to go that route.

All thoughts, advice, criticism I'm all ears. Thanks
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carguy8888
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Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 10, 2021 6:22 pm

Gabriel's have the correct ride height but they have a defective mount, I replaced several of them until I got GM mounts. Now the car rides awesome.
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knoxbroadcaster
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptyMon Jul 12, 2021 2:54 pm

The monroes I linked to are struts only. I would keep my original springs.

Do any of the other manufactures  (mevotech, kyb, Monroe ect.) Make decent strut mounts?

Should I buy the loaded mevotech lower control arms or replace bushings and ball joints.
Thanks
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Jack the R
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Jack the R


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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptyTue Jul 13, 2021 12:24 am

Moog was good when I put mine on. I've heard they've gone downhill.

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jbird
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptyFri Jul 16, 2021 7:49 am

my opinion would be to avoid quick struts. I put them on a Regal and they really changed the ride height(raised it). I have seen others have the same experience with Riv's on this board.
my .02

Jbird
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knoxbroadcaster
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptyFri Jul 16, 2021 9:21 am

Thanks for the info so far.

Any opinions on the Mevotech control arms or Mevotech in general?
Replace control arms or get bushings for existing control arms?
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carguy8888
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carguy8888


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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptyFri Jul 16, 2021 5:16 pm

I can't speak for me vo tech but Moog makes a standard and professional loaded a arm. I had very bad luck with aftermarket mounts, GM mounts made a huge difference. Monroe quick struts are 2" in too high.

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bbyshrk
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 17, 2021 5:15 am

jbird wrote:
my opinion would be to avoid quick struts. I put them on a Regal and they really changed the ride height(raised it). I have seen others have the same experience with Riv's on this board.
my .02

Jbird
maybe the reason is probably the old stock ones have sagged so much, the brand new struts may just appear to raise the car. i had to replace my struts with monte carlo struts in order to fit the aluminum spindles & run bigger brakes. i had to drill new holes for the strut mount, but i noticed my ride height in front is lower now. or maybe y’all might have better luck buying the struts and springs separately so u have more control of ur ride height
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knoxbroadcaster
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 17, 2021 11:16 am

carguy8888 wrote:
I can't speak for me vo tech but Moog makes a standard and professional loaded a arm. I had very bad luck with aftermarket mounts, GM mounts made a huge difference. Monroe quick struts are 2" in too high.

I've not been able to find moog control arms for my 1998 1996 Riv. Are you suggesting I replace bushings and ball joint on my existing control arms?


Last edited by knoxbroadcaster on Sat Jul 17, 2021 3:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
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carguy8888
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 17, 2021 2:48 pm

I'll look up the part numbers when I get a chance for you.
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LARRY70GS
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PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 17, 2021 3:24 pm

knoxbroadcaster wrote:
carguy8888 wrote:
I can't speak for me vo tech but Moog makes a standard and professional loaded a arm. I had very bad luck with aftermarket mounts, GM mounts made a huge difference. Monroe quick struts are 2" in too high.

I've not been able to find moog control arms for my 1998 Riv. Are you suggesting I replace bushings and ball joint on my existing control arms?


https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,1998,riviera,3.8l+v6+supercharged,1303322,suspension,control+arm,10401

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4203045&cc=1303322&pt=10401&jsn=445

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4203831&cc=1303322&pt=10401&jsn=446

_________________
98 Riviera SC3800  All stock except gutted air box.
1970 Buick GS455 Stage1, TSP built 470BBB, 602HP/589TQ
Best MPH, 116.06 MPH, Best ET, 11.54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHCda-t_Jls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfT2tEO4XcU
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knoxbroadcaster
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knoxbroadcaster


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Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 17, 2021 3:32 pm

LARRY70GS wrote:
knoxbroadcaster wrote:
carguy8888 wrote:
I can't speak for me vo tech but Moog makes a standard and professional loaded a arm. I had very bad luck with aftermarket mounts, GM mounts made a huge difference. Monroe quick struts are 2" in too high.

I've not been able to find moog control arms for my 1998 Riv. Are you suggesting I replace bushings and ball joint on my existing control arms?


https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,1998,riviera,3.8l+v6+supercharged,1303322,suspension,control+arm,10401

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4203045&cc=1303322&pt=10401&jsn=445

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4203831&cc=1303322&pt=10401&jsn=446

Thanks for the links Larry but an oh crap on my part, that should read 1996 Riv. . Sorry bout that
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LARRY70GS
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LARRY70GS


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Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptySat Jul 17, 2021 7:48 pm

knoxbroadcaster wrote:
LARRY70GS wrote:
knoxbroadcaster wrote:
carguy8888 wrote:
I can't speak for me vo tech but Moog makes a standard and professional loaded a arm. I had very bad luck with aftermarket mounts, GM mounts made a huge difference. Monroe quick struts are 2" in too high.

I've not been able to find moog control arms for my 1998 Riv. Are you suggesting I replace bushings and ball joint on my existing control arms?


https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,1998,riviera,3.8l+v6+supercharged,1303322,suspension,control+arm,10401

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4203045&cc=1303322&pt=10401&jsn=445

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4203831&cc=1303322&pt=10401&jsn=446




Thanks for the links Larry but an oh crap on my part, that should read 1996 Riv. . Sorry bout that

Ooops, lmao

_________________
98 Riviera SC3800  All stock except gutted air box.
1970 Buick GS455 Stage1, TSP built 470BBB, 602HP/589TQ
Best MPH, 116.06 MPH, Best ET, 11.54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHCda-t_Jls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfT2tEO4XcU
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9ty7rivi
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Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! Empty
PostSubject: Re: Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!   Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My! EmptyTue Aug 10, 2021 6:39 pm

I used KYB struts and had no issues with ride height or anything. I do know now 50k miles later they are worn completely from hard cornering. I would go that route and change all other parts(bearing, bellow, mount) that way you have the most stable suspension and not prematurely wear out a part or have to do it AGAIN! It's no fun but worth the battle.
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