I have a 91SE with 193K. Just had a used(49K) motor installed($1500) after sitting for 2 years after the timing belt broke. Now it seems to ride really rough..it does some loud thumping up front when I get up around 45mph.
It was worse before I discovered I had about 10 lbs of pressure in the front tires. I had the tires rotated and balanced but I'm not sure what kind of damage the tires might get from sitting in one spot (underinflated) for years. I also think I may have a warped front right rotor so I'm going to do a brake job this weekend. This car has never had new struts/springs install. I'm sure it is long overdue. Do springs go bad. I am going to change all 4 struts but do I need to change springs? I'm not really interested in lowering the car. I'm trying to get this thing ready for my 16 year old. I had just had the tranny rebuilt, cv joints and exhaust system reworked before the timing belt busted. Now with a 49K engine, it should be good to go for a while. I got myself a 98SE last year.

Thanks,

Bobby C.

 

Springs do go bad, but usually your car will start rubbing in the back or something. If it is sitting really uneven then your springs are probably bad. If it's making noises over bumps then it's probably strut(s)/strut(s) mount(s). When my springs went bad, my car would bottom out (in the wheel wells) all the time and it was pretty obvious. Not long after that I was replacing struts...

 

Thanks for the info...The best prices I've found so far are from jagworks.com. 48.75 ea for the front KYB GR-2 Gas Struts and 37.61 ea for the rear KYB GR-2 Gas Cartridges. Do I need to get the boots and stops from the dealer? I'm going to attempt to do the work myself. Has anyone posted instructions/hints for this job anywhere? I've looked for several hours and haven't found any yet.

 

Do a SEARCH on this site (upper right hand corner of screen) and you'll find a recent thread, as recent as yesterday I believe, where there was talk of a site that has them for $175 shipped right now (all four corners). As far as springs, I'm not sure about OEM replacements but you can get Intrax (very popular with enthusiasts but have a 1.8" or so drop) for $100 on eBay.
You can also get the boots and stops from the site I mentioned above and in your case is very recommended. As far as doing the work yourself, it's no problem if you've done it before but if you haven't I really recommend having someone professionally do it or at least supervise the job. It is dangerous. I have seen a spring come out of a wall-mount compressor and fly across the shop, nearly taking my friend's head off and ruining about $700 worth of exhaust pipes and mufflers hanging. Good luck!