M6 front suspension overhaul question

[GAflyer]

132,000 mile M6 has the dreaded front end shudder during significant braking (over 40mph). Lower control arm bushings were replaced by P.O. with heavy-duty bushings, however, I have no record of upper/ lower control arms or any of the ball joints being replaced. Components look old, if not original.

We rebuilt the brakes with new rotors all around 800 miles ago. Reduced, but certainly didn't eliminate the shaking. Car has newish Eibachs and Bilsteins. Am now getting ready to order new parts, and have read all your threads.

My questions: I'm thinking of replacing the complete thrust and control arms (HD Meyle stuff from Autohaus) . Some owners seem to just replace the bushings, but couldn't the old ball-joints likely contribute to the problem as well as the bushings? What say you? Am I gonna need anything besides a ball-joint puller to do the arms complete?

Also, should I replace the steering tie-rod at the same time? Anything else that causes problems? I don't want to waste any money, but I do want to fix it for good, and hopefully drive a sixer that feels and handles the way it was intended to.

Thanks for your advice guys. There is a wealth of knowledge on enthusiast sites like this one.:worship:

[Layne]

I just take everything apart and pick out the good and bad components. If a ball joint or tie rod end has any play at all in any direction, it needs to be replaced. It's usually the upper control arms that cause vibration problems. Mine right side bushing went bad apparently because the heat shield was missing that separates it from the exhaust. I replaced them with the 750 bushings, the ball joints were still good.

[JRanmann]

Having just spent over 3k on my front suspension and complete shocks and steering I have to say it's really a worthwhile effort. The shudder might be caused by the upper control arms but it's more likely a combination of worn springs/struts and subframe bushings (rear too) that Layne suggests.

Have heart, the job has countless rewards in the secure driving feel the designers intended...good luck

[GAflyer]

It has all Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks installed by Steve Haygood for PO about 2,500 miles ago. Ditto rear pittman arms for me about 1,000 miles ago, when he was still available for such work. (He lives an hour from me--I miss consulting him, he was a lot of help)

I just replaced the subframe bushings and sway-bar links in back. I'm having some trouble with the subframe bushings slipping back out of the housing a little---working on that one, probably was too liberal with the soap lubricant. I may do the "mod" of drilling and inserting a small screw or bolt to hold them in place. Anyway, I'm hoping the rear is ok now, since everything is new except the trailing arm bushings.

PO records indicated Steve replaced thrust arm bushings with HDs also, that's all the front work (except Eibach/Bilstein). Just thinking, if I just do bushings in front, but not ball-joints, I may regret it.

Sadly, I'm the 5th owner of my car, and the records are less than impeccable (yeah, I know, my bad). Steve Haygood did a good bit on this particular car, and vouched for its' condition, but I wish I had better records -and 50,000 less miles on the dial, of course.

[DaHose]

If ball joints and bushings are unknown, replace with the HD and you are good to go. The center link is often ignored, by the way.

Jose