It's easy to check out the front suspension. Shocks are tested with a bounce test (and by road mannors) If it feels floaty, they need replacement.

Steering componants are tested with the wheels on the ground, and an assistant in the vehicle turning the steering wheel about 45 degrees in either direction with the engine running. Feel every joint for slop (grab the boot, and feel for side to side movement)

With the front tires raised about an inch off the ground, place a prybar under them, and lift the tire straight up (feeling the ball joints for up and down movement)


$500 sounds slightly high, but I usually do domestics at work (unsure of part costs)


~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)