There's some play in the suspension of the FC I own (1986). It moves similiarly to how a bad bearing would move, however the entire suspension geometry moves. I'm wondering about the more common problems that could remedy the issue. It's annoying to have shimmy at 40+mph.

I'm already going to be replacing the Bushings (i'm pretty sure they've never been replaced) but what about the tierod ends, and ball joints? Should I replace those while I'm under there?

 

Most likely a ball joint, fortunately on the S4's they're replacable. Replacing the tie rods and ends is a good idea too, as they're rather old by now. Also check the condition of the top mounts, they may be due for replacement too. It'll be a good idea to check the bearings too and tighten if necessary.

 

Thanks for your input. I'll probably forego the Top mounts as I'm looking to upgrade my suspension to coilovers and will probably replace them with Spherical bearings. But I'll heed your advice on everything else and purchase those along side the bushings.

 

Not recommended on a street vehicle...

Although initially, spherical bearings do minimize play in a joint, they loosen up very quickly.
Over time they will loosen worse than stock joints.


-Ted

 

But isn't that the idea? To isolate the dampening strictly to the coilover and eliminate a potential for limiting the feel of the road?

 

I haven't had any problem w/ spherical bearing in the camber plate getting excessive wear in 4 1/2 years and ~35k of street and Auto-x driving, but the spherical bearings in the swaybar links are another matter.

I think it is contamination that really will wear the spherical bearings quickly and the strut top is fairly well isolated from this.