01 Civic ex has been making clunking noises over uneven pavement and bumps. Also jerking car slightly if a bump is hit. After having it looked at it was determined that the entire lower control arm should be replaced.

My question is - should the springs, struts and strut mounts be replaced too? My mechanic friend says there is no need but another friend who I trust says they should. Any idea from you at this forum and how I can check?

 

Well springs are usually good for a looong time. I rarely see them being replace for preventative maintenance.

Bad struts can make the car bouncy and rough. Rock the car on each corner. Once you stop, the car should come back up and stop. If it continues to bounce around before settling, that could be an indication you need new struts.

 

Yeah do the bounce test on the struts-- like cvcrcr said push down on the bumper of the car while it's parked and see how it bounces on the way back up. Clunking or banging noises are bad bushings and generally only the bushing or the part containing the bushing needs to be replaced.

 

Thank you! It stops bouncing nicely the way it should from what you described. I think I will just go with new control arms and see if the clanking stops.

 

A bad bushing/bad control arm should have no ill effect on the struts, springs or mounts. Unless you were in a bad accident and severly bent the arm way out of shape. You should be fine, just get an alignment after the work is done.

 

Thanks guys!!