This past weekend I replaced the upper and lower control arms, swaybar endlinks and bushings, strut rod bushings and shocks. The shocks were originals amazingly enough.

The suspension is now tight up front except for what sounds like the strut rods popping when I turn going up a hill; like pulling into a driveway. The rods where they mount to the body are very tight, I checked that again. Any idea what I could've done wrong there?

Also, what brand of shocks do you guys use? I put in the KYB Gas-a-just and they're ok but still seem bouncy to me. Anything better I could use?

 

Did you tighten all the control arm bolts with the van sitting at standard ride height?

 

Yes sort of? I but the jack under the lower arm and jacked it off the jack stand. This way the arm was under the same weight load of being on the ground. Still not the right way?

 

That should be close enough. I think those bolts get tightened to some truly stupid value though..... did you have torque specs for 'em?

 

I did not have torque specs for anything. But for the lower control arm bolts, I have one of those big Milwaukee impacts. I gave it hell and they are definitely tight. That goes for all the bolts, I went over everything 3 times.

 

Ok, that's prolly adequate to the task.

Can you bounce the front suspension, and make it snap, crackle, and pop?

 

I’ve not stood on it and bounced it but just pushing it doesn’t make any noise. It drives tight and feels sure footed. That’s why I’m a bit lost because I think I’d feel it as I drove if something was really loose. I’ll try and video it next time I drive it.

 

Likely just one of the new bushings.... the metal cores can shift, and make some interesting noises..... having the bolts torqued tight though, *should* take care of that.

 

Yes maybe that’s all it needs, just to be driven around. I plan to do tie rods next and then get it aligned. Perhaps that’ll will help as well. Thank you for your help!

any suggestions on shocks or should I stick with the KYBs?

 

KYB's are good, or Bilsteins. If you wanna spend more money.