'04 Aero, needs suspension work but the local shop won't call me back

[weavdaddy]

I took my wife's "new" 9-3 to the local Euro garage and they told me that I needed a LF strut, a tierod, a (lower?) ball joint, and two other parts I don't recall (some kind of linkage). All of these parts were on the front end.

After two weeks of no call back I dialed them and was told they didn't have anything on record, but they remembered me bringing it in. The rep said he would check with the mechanic who test drove it and get back to me within a day or so. It's been another two weeks.

So.....can I do these myself (small amount of experience) and if so what tools will I need? I'd like for my wife to be able to drive a rattle-free car that doesn't sound like it will explode at every Ohio-highway-construction bump in the road.

Thank you!

[Don-Peter]

Originally Posted by weavdaddy

I took my wife's "new" 9-3 to the local Euro garage and they told me that I needed a LF strut, a tierod, a (lower?) ball joint, and two other parts I don't recall (some kind of linkage). All of these parts were on the front end.

After two weeks of no call back I dialed them and was told they didn't have anything on record, but they remembered me bringing it in. The rep said he would check with the mechanic who test drove it and get back to me within a day or so. It's been another two weeks.

So.....can I do these myself (small amount of experience) and if so what tools will I need? I'd like for my wife to be able to drive a rattle-free car that doesn't sound like it will explode at every Ohio-highway-construction bump in the road.

Thank you!

Rattle-free? .. That's a tough one..

Ball joint = a new lower arm (wishbone 4 bolts)
Tie-rod = Steering arm outer (i guess 1 nut )
LF strut = (shock 2 bolt at hub , 3 bolt in top mount and a spring compressor and a impact gun)
I have changed almost all suspension parts and it's still not silent...

[PaulOliver]

It's an easy DIY if you have some previous experience pulling stuff apart? Replace stuff in pairs for both sides, don't do just one side. Tools wise, the usual sockets and spanners, spring compressors and plenty of penetrating oil if your car hasn't been apart much/you live somewhere with lots of salt on the roads