1998 Buick Lesabre, Front end issue?

LYNND81

MEMBER
1998 BUICK LESABRE

I have a 1998 LeSabre that I bought about 3 years ago. When I bought it I noticed that there was a slight "off" feeling with the front end but there wasnt any noise or vibrations at that time so I wasn't too concerned with it. Plus this car has a DynaRide suspension so I wasnt sure if maybe it was due to that ( and not really having a clue what that means lol). However, now there is a definate vibration from the front end, you can hear and feel it. Up until about a week ago it was kind of a hit or miss, it didnt make noise continually, when the wheel was slightly turned it didnt make the noise as much.

I am wondering if it is the tierod ends or if it is a lower ball joint, as I had a 1994 Excel and when the ball joints needed replaced on it, it made similar noise.

My question is this. How much would it cost realistically to have the parts replaced ball joints & tierod ends & wheel bearings?

Thanks,
Lynn

2 Replies

CLY

MECHANIC
308 POSTS

I would almost bet that its an outer tie-rod end that is causing your problem. That shouldn't be all that much to replace but it will need to be aligned afterwards. The wheel bearings on the other hand will cost ya alittle but I dought that that is your problem.

You lift the front of the car off the ground and shake the wheel itself and see if you can feel alot of play in it.

Cly

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Friday, July 20th, 2007 AT 9:26 PM

LYNND81

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I took the car in today to have it checked cause when I checked the tires for play there wasnt any. Ugh! Turns out that they said its the wheel hub bearing, and a blown strut.

After reading your pages on 98 Lesabre issues ( from fellow posters) I also had a concern about the intake manifold because I have had similar problems as some of the other folks, and there are two leaks in it as well ( lovely, right?) There is a definate moisture collection on the right and left sides, they said that I can change the gasket and that should solve the problem for now, but I was also told that the coolant for the 3800 engine is what eats the gaskets? Am wondering why Buick would use something in their engine that they know down the road will cause issues. ( Besides the aluminum not rusting from using this coolant. )

So in the end just the 2 struts being replaced, the wheel hub bearing, alignment, 4 tires ( cause the wear from the bad struts and from when the calipers and stuff were bad ) and labor its pushing a 2 grand total. Without changing the intake manifold which adds even more.

I'm in process of deciding now if its not just time to let this car go? I also have to admit that with as impressed as I was with this car when I bought it, its not turning out so well in the end. I just dumped a whole new rear brake system into this car a few months ago.

Thanks for your reply, if you have any ideas on getting a better price or whatnot please let me know. Thanks

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Saturday, July 21st, 2007 AT 8:48 AM