New Strut Time?

[StangVert00]

Greetings,
I own a '00 GT 'Vert (Auto) with 72k miles on it.

I have had some front end problems within the last year, and they seem to be getting worse.
When I am driving down the street or highway, the front end feels like I am driving over small pot holes. And sometimes when I make a wide turn, it feels like the tires are flat.

The front struts are OEM. The springs are as well.
I bought new tires last July.
Wheels have been balanced and aligned.
Tires have been rotated.
Front rotors and shoes and pads have been replaced. (They needed them anyway)
Sometimes it feels like there is gravel in the wheels.
I have taken this to my own mechanic, who can't figure it out.
I have not taken it to a Ford dealer because I don't want to pay $50.00 just for a test drive! (Just to troubleshoot!)

So, I am here asking for advice from any Mustang Front End Expert.
I was thinking of replacing the OEM struts next.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

StangVert00

 

[Kilgore Trout]

IMHO the stock shocks and struts are good for about 15k miles only, they are absolute crap Definitely replace them.

The weird sounds you describe could be an intermittently failing ABS sensor. Do you have ABS?

 

[Torinalth]

ehh... thats kinda hard to diagnose from what you are saying... it could be a tie rod end, or even the ball joint from what you are saying.... not not enough information to make a solid guess. one thing to try, to see if its teh struts, is to unbolt the top strut nut (where the stock CC plates are) and then push the strut rod down. if you can compress it by hand then yes its gone.

if not, then its time to look to either tierod ends, balljoint, or one of the many other things. its time to play with everything.. sadly front end things are the hardest to diagnose. as there are so many things that can get in the way. bushings all over the place, more moving parts then you could believe... jack the car up. and have someone play with the steering wheel to see what may be binding or giving. i'm not the best expert on the front end... but i could do more if you gave more information.

Torinalth

 

[StangVert00]

Thanks much for all of the advice!
It looks like new struts are indeed part of my 'Stangs future.
I will also check the ball bearings.

Thanks again!

StangVert00