i got a 1996 max, just hit 120k miles, and i believe its on the original stock suspension

i hear this clank whenever i hit a bump. its only ever quiet when road is nice and paved. the bad bumps get really bumpy in the car. on the highway above 65mph i can feel a vibration in the steering wheel. im thinking the cause is struts, springs, and maybe bushings and also could be mounts or control arms? (haha.. did i miss a part?)

if i def need new struts and springs, got any recommendations? i wanna get it lowered a modest amount, but rather spend as little as possible. i originally wanted illuminas but im poor and cant afford that much. im looking for comfort first in my suspension. and usually some springs work better with certain struts?

what else would i need to buy u think. prolly bushings? any recommendations on brands and where i can get them would be appreciated.

thanks

 

does it do it only on one side? both?

 

Welcome to the 120K club! I had exactly the same issue when I bought the car with 126K. It'd make a clunk over small bumps as well as letting go of/depressing the brake front a slow roll, as well vibration on the highway. It turned out to the control arm bushings which i had replaced with ES poly bushings. But, 2-3 months later, i developed the same problem. At that point i replaced the control arms themselves (along with new busings/BJs), swaybar links and bushings. A little while after that, i replaced all struts, strut mounts, bearings, and tie-rods. Only THEN was i satisfied with my handling.

But, to address your immediate problem, have your LCAs checked.

 

Mine wore out about 120K.

 

Mine does the same.

 

I had the same problem at 117,000 miles. I just replaced all 4 struts last weekend. The clunking stopped. WOOHOO!!

 

Ive got two front stock struts, and ill have a set of Tein H-Tech springs up for sale soon if youre interested.

The drop is -1.2 and -1.8 i believe..