200000 miles. Not as smooth as it once was, what to replace?

[schmiddr2]

200k miles? all 4 struts for sure. also check the bushings and ball joints.

Ok. I'll change the struts. They're just so difficult unless using a quickstrut or similar.

And I always think, yeah I'll check bushings, but which bushings and how to check? I mean I can look at it, stick a screwdriver into some, shake a nearby component, put a jack under it, but how do I really know what I'm seeing says to replace it? If it's cracked and falling out, I think I'll find that, but what else to look for?

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[Jebuss]

My 8th gen civic started pulling constantly after 120k miles. I had to replace the front right axle and still needed to fix both the tie rods and ball joints before I got tired of it and sold it.

 

[VTecYoSelfB4UWreckYoSelf]

I think with most cars your suspension bushings are going to be pretty worn by 200k, I would start going through all of them to see if any are torn or rotting.

 

[Oddwayne]

I’d flush the cooling system too at that mileage

 

[Shankmeyster]

I'm surprised your wheel bearings haven't gone out yet. A lot of people replacing them by 100k. Might be part of it.

 

[chris7521]

Interesting. I wanted to replace them, but now I definitely will. Do these require being pressed out and in the knuckle? Can't be done on the car?

I think it would be more time an effort to do it on the car. There are guys that do it but, I would pull them off the car and have them pressed in a out at a shop. There is videos online to see what it takes for tools to do it on the car.

 

[bcrichster]

Good to know. I was going by my Jeep. I've never had a tie rod end go on any of my Civics before actually.

Unfortunately.. Jeeps are trash in every mechanical aspect, my condolences for you owning one. You literally couldn't GIVE me a Jeep, as I've actually worked on them. And if you wanna keep that/any Jeep, you'll basically need to learn welding too... Cuz they're well known for constantly breaking and stuff.

 

[Design]

I think with most cars your suspension bushings are going to be pretty worn by 200k, I would start going through all of them to see if any are torn or rotting.

+1

Bushings are one of the most underlooked component on higher mileage cars. Check for any signs of ripples/cracks along the control arms and sway bars. Might be helpful to check the motor mounts while you're at it. GL.

 

[LoneWolf77]

Unfortunately.. Jeeps are trash in every mechanical aspect, my condolences for you owning one. You literally couldn't GIVE me a Jeep, as I've actually worked on them. And if you wanna keep that/any Jeep, you'll basically need to learn welding too... Cuz they're well known for constantly breaking and stuff.

Yeah I'm glad I sold it. Couldn't agree more, piece of junk right from the factory.

 

[schmiddr2]

My 8th gen civic started pulling constantly after 120k miles. I had to replace the front right axle and still needed to fix both the tie rods and ball joints before I got tired of it and sold it.

Yikes. Well mine is not that bad in comparison. Doesn't pull. Just seems to not track straight perfectly, but some of it may be due to road conditions and wind.

 

[schmiddr2]

I think with most cars your suspension bushings are going to be pretty worn by 200k, I would start going through all of them to see if any are torn or rotting.

Where are all the bushings? Near the wheels correct? Any farther under the car or obscured?

 

[schmiddr2]

I’d flush the cooling system too at that mileage

I already bought the Honda coolant. Just need to figure out if I can flush it or just drain from lower radiator and refill. How likely are air pockets in the coolant circuit?

 

[schmiddr2]

I'm surprised your wheel bearings haven't gone out yet. A lot of people replacing them by 100k. Might be part of it.

I've read this as well. Seems like a few people said they were trash bearings. Even though I replaced the rear wheel hubs/bearings, it didn't seem to make any difference. But I hope the front show some improvement since it's going to take some effort to replace them.

 

[schmiddr2]

I think it would be more time an effort to do it on the car. There are guys that do it but, I would pull them off the car and have them pressed in a out at a shop. There is videos online to see what it takes for tools to do it on the car.

Ok. I have a 40 ton press that will do it. Hardest part is getting them off the car.

And this seems like it would be a good time to replace bushings as well. And tie rods. Guess I'll just replace all the stuff I can get to in the front with knuckles removed.

 

[schmiddr2]

+1

Bushings are one of the most underlooked component on higher mileage cars. Check for any signs of ripples/cracks along the control arms and sway bars. Might be helpful to check the motor mounts while you're at it. GL.

Are the control arm bushings pressed in, or does it require replacing the whole arm to get a a new bushing? And with sway bars you just mean the end links right?

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