I am driving my 96 GLE a lot more than I have in many years. It has mostly sat unused for a number of years. There is a lot of slop and play in the steering and suspension. I have decided to invest in replacing or upgrading everything necessary to make it drive more responsively as I use it to commute to work now most days. I already have H&R springs with Tokico Illumina struts. I also have a Progress rear sway bar. I am in the process of replacing all 4 motor mounts with new ones with Red Lion Racing solid bushings.

The questions I have for suspension gurus:
What else do is likely causing my excessive steering play and general sloppy feel in the front suspension? I'm thinking I'll probably replace OEM rubber bushings with Energy Suspension urethane ones for the sway bars and lower control arms. While I'm working on it are there any other suggestions as to what I should check or replace? Thanks.

 

Tie rods

 

Steering rack. Oh btw, fk struts/shocks. Get coilovers. +1 on energy suspension bushings.

 

Thanks but this car is a 16 year old beater that I drive to work and back becasue it's in neighborhood with crappy roads and a dusty parking lot; it's not worth me investing in coilovers. Those kinds of mods and money are for my other car.

I hope the steering rack isn't bad, it's a PITA to change but I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks.

 

I understand. It very well could be the steering rack, mine is on the way out. And my buddy with an 01 just replaced his.

 

Thanks. I hope it's not the rack. That's about $250 for the part for a rebuilt unit and the better part of all day installing it for me.

 

Yep, Maxima's can be a money pit. Usually worth it though, in the long run at least.