Control arms, ball joints, and struts Oh My!

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

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.

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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?

I'll look up the part numbers when I get a chance for you.

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

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

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,

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.