S14 Front suspension question - Did a search already

[silvia240]

I already did a google search, then zilvia.net search. I even read this thread (http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/296725-roll-center-suspension-pickup-steering-angle-modification-thread.html)

I went to the mechanic to get my front suspension checked out. Currently its on stock springs/shocks. He told me I needed new
1) Steering Rack & Pinion
2) Outer Tie Rod x2
3) Radius Bar x2
4) Sway bar link x2
5) Lower control arm x2

My questions are:
1) WTF is a radius bar? Is that the tension rod?
2) I attached a picture, have I labeled the parts correctly?
3) Where is the sway bar link?
4) The mechanic is basically telling me to replace everything in the front suspension isn't he.

and last but not least, can anyone recommend good aftermarket parts? I have been thinking either Fortune auto or Max parts (http://www.gtfactory.jp/cms/index.php), but they seem a bit pricy for me.

Thanks for all your help.

[Boost_Fiend]

you picture looks like its labeled correct. im pretty sure by radius rod he means tension rod. and depending on what you are doing with the car i dont think you should spend an arm and a leg on arms and rods. unless your a baller. oem lower control arms should be fine. you can find a pair for around $100. also, you should probably try to do some of the work yourself. changing those parts is cake. most mechanics will rape you.

[pndjones]

1. Well i have never heard a tension bar referred to a radius bar but based on a MacPherson strut design on as S14 I have no idea what else he could be referring too.

2. The picture you provided is of a highly modified vehicle so some of the parts look nothing like the ones on a stock car (mainly referring to the sway bar end link) The parts were labeled correctly but I am still unsure about the radius bar.

3. The end link provided is adjustable, a stock one looks more like a metal pencil with 2 bolts attached at each end. Its kinda hard to describe but ultimately it is the link between your sway bar and control arm.

4. Yes he is. Which is hard to believe unless you hit something pretty hard at full lock on both sides... which btw I would be impressed with.

5. The bottom line is that aftermarket suspension parts are not cheap. I would recommend looking for parts on here from a part out or someone who re did their suspension.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

[tims05]

Go get a second opinion from another shop or even a dealership. Never hurts to get a second opinion and ya may end up finding a better mechanic.

[jptalaga]

you should go and get an alignment at a good shop like firestone, theyll let you know what exactly needs to be replaced on your suspension because they check everything when they do alignments. GL!

[Future240]

Sounds like he is just trying to get you out of some money. I highly recommend getting a second option. I concur with the post above me, while I cannot speak for every firestone across America, I can say the one I went to aligned my car and he let me know as an FYI that my toe rods were going out.

[ManoNegra]

What are your goals?
are you building an all out track car or simply doing maintenance on your daily?

sounds like the mechanic looked at the typical 20 year old worn front suspension of a 240
and noticed that it needed an overhaul
he probably meant the bushings need replacing and you need new inner/outer tie rods and boots.

[silvia240]

I have approx 155k on the chassis, and by now I would assume all the bushings would have worn out by now. I have taken my car to 3 places. First place wanted me to replace $3800 worth of parts/labor (no thank you clarence brown), second place wanted $2600, and the most recent place wants $1600.
The reason I am asking here is because I plan on doing everything but the steering rack myself. My car is somewhat a daily driver so I want to stay away from making my car too harsh. I am looking to spend as least as possible on Outer Tie Rod x2, Radius Bar x2, Sway bar link x2, Lower control arm x2. I am hoping to keep it under 800.

Thanks again for all your help

[DJ-of-E]

Remove the "coilovers' and tell us what you're expecting to pay for the rest of the stuff. If you're going to buy those parts, might as well buy the rest or packages for the rears as well.

*ISIS Suspension Arm Package - Nissan 240sx 89-94 - Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC (http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/%2AISIS-Suspension-Arm-Package-%252d-Nissan-240sx-89%252d94.html)

[silvia240]

Remove the "coilovers' and tell us what you're expecting to pay for the rest of the stuff. If you're going to buy those parts, might as well buy the rest or packages for the rears as well.

*ISIS Suspension Arm Package - Nissan 240sx 89-94 - Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC (http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/%2AISIS-Suspension-Arm-Package-%252d-Nissan-240sx-89%252d94.html)

Thanks! I did see that package on another site, but I never heard of isis. Are they any good? I have been reading on zilvia how some other brands have been refered to as "china shit".

[slider2828]

ISIS is fine... but dude just got stock parts and then do it yourself... Nothing more than a couple of bolts.... Problem is pray they aren't rusted... But all that stuff is easy and probably will cost you like 400 to get all the stock parts.... rockauto.com is your friend

[fatduece]

you should go and get an alignment at a good shop like firestone, theyll let you know what exactly needs to be replaced on your suspension because they check everything when they do alignments. GL! Firestone, good?! Are you serious?! Everyone who works at firestone is a total tool shed. I had to get my car re aligned 3 times! and each time it was off, the "qualified tech" who went to college to align after market suspension, couldn't even properly torque down the bolts. After 2 month of driving, my outer tie rod end came undone and almost caused me to crash at 60MPH.

[silvia240]

Firestone, good?! Are you serious?! Everyone who works at firestone is a total tool shed. I had to get my car re aligned 3 times! and each time it was off, the "qualified tech" who went to college to align after market suspension, couldn't even properly torque down the bolts. After 2 month of driving, my outer tie rod end came undone and almost caused me to crash at 60MPH.

I am not worried about the alignment, there are a couple decent shops here in san diego.

[Karlitos]

have been refered to as "china shit".


Kinda contradicting with your under $800 statement. ISIS is obviously not the best stuff out there but for the money, meh.

LCA you should just get stock. Tie Rods (in/out) get the Tein package its $200. Sway Bar link, IDK, probably just get a stock one or just replace the bushings there, it shouldnt be too difficult. Your left with a tension rod, either replace the bushings or get adjustable ones for about 200, depending on brand, maybe less. For the steering rack, go to orielys I got mine there with lifetime and i think it was also under 200. Then do it all yourself, make it somewhat driveable, take it to an alingment shop and theyll do 4 wheel+steering rack centering for about 100 (where I got mine in SD).

So there you go, a more realistic budget with some decent parts is probaly 1k, and itll be under if you do the work yourself.

[Irresistible]

Take a look at everything yourself. And this is my recommendation:

Moog inner/outer tie rods
Stock LCA's With possibly new bushings/ball joints (Depending on how bad they are)
Adjustable tension rods (Radius whatevers)
Whatever sway bar links are cheapest.

[silvia240]

Kinda contradicting with your under $800 statement. ISIS is obviously not the best stuff out there but for the money, meh.

LCA you should just get stock. Tie Rods (in/out) get the Tein package its $200. Sway Bar link, IDK, probably just get a stock one or just replace the bushings there, it shouldnt be too difficult. Your left with a tension rod, either replace the bushings or get adjustable ones for about 200, depending on brand, maybe less. For the steering rack, go to orielys I got mine there with lifetime and i think it was also under 200. Then do it all yourself, make it somewhat driveable, take it to an alingment shop and theyll do 4 wheel+steering rack centering for about 100 (where I got mine in SD).

So there you go, a more realistic budget with some decent parts is probaly 1k, and itll be under if you do the work yourself.

$800 was for the parts for: Outer Tie Rod x2, Radius Bar x2 (i guess it means tension rod), Sway bar link x2, Lower control arm x2.
For the steering rack & coilovers, I have set aside about 1600 to spend.

Do you remember the alignment shop you took it too? I was thinking either clarence brown or trueline.


And thanks everyone for your opinions. Its much appreciated.