02 Grand Prix Suspension Problem - Steering and Suspension


	Auto Repair Home	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Automotive Repair

Car Troubleshooting Topics
  Car Troubleshooting
  Engine Troubleshooting
  Engine Fault Codes
  Electrical and Wiring
  Transmission Problems

Car Repair Topics
  Car Making Noises
  Car Stereo Repair
  Heating or AC Issues
  Motorcycles and ATVs
  Tricks of the Trade
  Truck Repair Advice

Site Options:
  Login
  Sign up here!

Latest Forum Post

1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no start

I have a 1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no...

Strut spring orientation and strut mount tension nut

2017 Nissan rogue awd 2.5 L Put in Monro...

Transmission stuck in part, I have tried everything

So I'm working on my elderly fathers 201...

2017 dodge journey LED headlights on/off randomly

Year of vehicle 2017 Make of vehicle dod...

Kia Soul starter replacement issues!

Okay so my car is a 2010 Kia soul 2.0 en...

Please Help - Knock sound & engine fail

Hi all, Hoping to get some insight and ...

multiple warning lights

2013 GMC Terrain 130,000 miles 4 cylinde...

03 alero no low speed blower

Good day everyone, I have a 2003 Olds a...

04 Chevy 2500hd tail light issues

Help!!! I have changed my combo switch...

1999 Grand Caravan Sport not starting.

Hi. I'm new here. I hope someone can hel...

02 Grand Prix Suspension Problem

Sign up here!

Search for (search options)

Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Steering and Suspension

6010fd12
Novice

May 19, 2021, 1:19 PM

Post #1 of 3 (2314 views)

02 Grand Prix Suspension Problem	Sign In

I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix with 205k miles and ever since I owned the car (170k miles) there has always been a problem with the suspension. It feels like the car does not have any suspension at all. I can feel every small and large bump in the road. Almost like the struts are bottoming out or something.

I have already tried bouncing the car to see if the springs/shocks were going bad but the car just returns to normal height with minimal bounce.

I have inspected the(front) suspension and noted some problem areas:

Sway bar on one end is cracked and the other end is missing a small chunk.

Passenger side control arm rubber bushing is loose.

Passenger side bottom motor mount has deteriorated

Here are some videos of the suspension.
Please keep in mind I know there is ALOT wrong with this car. I have no clue how much longer it will last which is why I am not looking to spend a lot of money replacing everything. I am only trying to find the source of the bumpy ride.

[Passenger side motor mount](https://youtu.be/JT_MUPCBNZM)

[Passenger side suspension](https://youtu.be/vR2KLDHWaoQ)

[Driver side suspension](https://youtu.be/uHGtxdz49Iw)

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 19, 2021, 1:46 PM

Post #2 of 3 (2305 views)

Re: 02 Grand Prix Suspension Problem	Sign In

Here's "driver's side video" is enough IMO,
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHGtxdz49Iw

Notes for now: Sway bar is gone wouldn't cause your complaint. Bushings? Passenger's side is OMG gone!
Jouncing it didn't make much to see but overall those struts look old enough to just be the issue. Do either just bushings (all) or take off the pin for sway bar it wouldn't (IMO) change much but no longer make noise or lousy feeling on turns or shifting weight of car those help keep it level on turns as one side goes down kinda equalizes it.
Your videos are great BTW it looks like all those things (redone whole struts) and the bushings or whole control arms done would do the trick.

Question is price that out I'm just seeing 205K on this car is fairly rust free to me for 19 years old but do you wish to invest some serious $$ or find something better?

It's just a used car that needs all that if you trust there's more life engine/trans and other things that wear over time.

It's up to you. Price out what those things would cost you by you or another and decide to invest or bail out of this thing,

Tom

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 19, 2021, 2:38 PM

Post #3 of 3 (2294 views)

Re: 02 Grand Prix Suspension Problem	Sign In

That car would be a major money pit. Everything appears to have wear. Not much of what you showed was tested correctly. You're prying things in the wrong directions and you never tested ball joints or tie rod ends.
As Tom said, the stabilizer bar is bad, the struts look original, and most of the steering and suspension needs to be rebuilt.

With that mileage, just get rid of it before pouring money into it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap