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Hey guys, I need your honest opinion
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:05 am
by jaspur76
Very excited to be hopefully purchasing a 96 bonneville SSEi in the morning. I drove it tonight and it seems ok. There are a few issues with it and would like your input since you are experts at the car compared to me. First off is the ps pump is cracked and needs replaced. I see them refurbished for $60 or so but looked at there the pump was and was shocked. I am not afraid to get dirty and put the work into it but wanted your opinion with this repair. Lots of noise when driving too, maybe a front wheel bearing needing repacked or repalaced. Have not done one before, is it tricky on this car? Other than that it seems sound. Front springs could use replacing along with struts and shocks I think. 137,000 miles. Str8 body. Anything you guys could tell me that you may know? Any imput is appreciated. Thanks.
Re: Hey guys, I need your honest opinion
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:33 am
by 01bonneSC
Two straight forward repairs. Have you turned a wrench or a few?
Whats their asking price?
Re: Hey guys, I need your honest opinion
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:36 am
by jaspur76
$1200, i was looking at craigslist and seeing nothing but crap on there for the same price and I at least know this person. She knows nothing abnout cars but at least changes the oil. Ya, I have turned a wrench. Maybe not a lot but I have not been afraid to lean in the past.
Re: Hey guys, I need your honest opinion
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:09 am
by 00Beast
PS pump isn't terrible, go in through the wheelwell and it's not bad.
The hub is a sealed unit with the wheel bearing and ABS sensor, so you have to replace the whole unit.
Neither is a "hard" repair, just need the right tools and some patience.
Re: Hey guys, I need your honest opinion
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:05 pm
by 99-SLE
Make sure to do the wheel bearing sooner than later! Otherwise she'll treat ya great with some TLC
Re: Hey guys, I need your honest opinion
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 6:03 pm
by LeSabre in Buffalo
Get a used junkyard PS pump instead of the remanufactured one. It'll work better.
Wheel hubs are pretty easy to replace, depending on how much rust there is. If there's not much, it's easy. If there's a bit, get a Big Freaking Hammer and let the hub have it. Get the pricey one the first time around. Otherwise, it'll be a lifetime of replacing failed hubs.
Sounds like for $800 in parts and a few weekends, you'll have a solid car! Jump on it!
Remember, SSEi means put in premium gas. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. It needs premium.