My local repair shop tried to take me for $1700 in repairs. I took my '98 Jetta in thinking I had a bad wheel bearing or a bad CV Joint. The report from the shop said that I needed both ball joints replaced, both lower control arms replaced, 2 new struts, an alignment, a PCV valve, new plugs and wires, along with 2 new tires. Total in parts - $1200. Labor - $500.

Leary of the report, because my wife took the car in, I decided to wait on the repairs and check it all out myself. Here's what I found:

- Ball joints do need replaced (1 is bad, other is good, so replace both),
- PCV valve needs replaced,
- Tires are less than a year old and in great shape,
- Lower control arms are perfect,
- Plugs and wires are good (engine runs amazingly smooth),
and the real problem:
- Both strut assemblies raise up and down about 1/4 inch each when the wheel is jerked up and down.

Question - I haven't had a small car with struts for quite some time, but I don't believe that they should raise up and down at all. Do you think they can just be tightened and all is well, or could this be a faulty strut? When on the ground, it acts just like its supposed to, so I'm thinking of just tightening them.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks in advance.

 

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