Well all the work is finally done, and i can now report on the results. I had two new Michelin rainforce tires put on the front, and four new bilstein HD's put on all four corners yesterday, and had it aligned. The car feels completely differant. Some bumps are a little more harsh, and other ones that once felt huge now feel like they are no longer there. The car corners ten times better, with virtually no chassis roll(at least compared to before). Also, when i brake hard the car seems to simply lower itself, as opposed to before where i thought the front end was going to hit the pavement. The front end of the car also stopped moving up and down when the car shifts(yes, it actually used to do that, it would lower and then raise right back up). My only concern lies with the alignment. The shop used a Hunter DSP400 alignment machine, but they only spent around 40 minutes on it. I asked to see the print out and everything is to "factory specs". The only reason i'm suspicious is that the steering wheel is VERY VERY slightly off to the right. It does not pull, and drives much much better, but this still concerns me. The last place i went to used a similar machine and the car fell out of alignment 3 months later, and chewed through a almost new pair of toyo proxes. If everything showed to be within spec i should be ok then right?? glad my saga should finally be over!! thanks for reading,
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

I recently installed Bilstein shocks too and had a similar impression. They certainly firm up the suspension and make the car more solid. I also had alignment done a few months ago and decided to go back because I had the same problem, the steering wheel was not completely straight. They fixed it the second time.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Folks:
Remember that before an alignment is started the steering box is to be centered and the small pin inserted in the underside to hold the box and steering wheel in the proper place!
Maynard Smith.

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82 300D
87 300SDL
90 300TE 4matic

Shocks made the difference on my car. Bilsteins are not cheap but they are well worth it. I need to replace both my lower ball joints now, can feel them pop every now and then and a good shot of grease will stop it for several weeks so I know it's the BJ's. Have to fix the small leak in the power steering pump (rebuild) and didn't have time to get to it this week. Taking the 240d on a road trip this weekend because I don't want to drive the 300d with the pump leaking. Happy to hear you got the brown bomber back on the road in a happy state