hi guys,
i am opening another thread as this is not related to issues in the other one.

i have had complaints about car slightly moving left and right especially on motorway and on windy days.
i asked my both mechs to check around for this, also asked them to check my suspension and all that,
i was told all good, but i have been hearing an increasing squeak when i go thru speed bumps so i inpected around i noticed this.

the end of the front right shock absorber piston looks like marshmallow, and not holding strong.

obviously needs to be replaced, (i guess both fronts to match up)
could you advise me what parts i need to get, any local brand or any from rockauto and estimated cost of labor so i dont get ripped off

thank you
http://www.overclockers.com.au/pix/image.php?id=7usnv&f=1'
Click to view full size! ('http://www.overclockers.com.au/pix/index.php?page=image&id=7usnv')

If you push down on the front end (on a guard etc, not to hard or you will dent it as I did to my wifes old car!), does it bounce up and return to the exact same position, or does it wobble around a bit? (this is a quick an basic test for suspension).

I am not 100% certain on that "marshmallow" stuff you refer to, on a car I am pulling apart at the moment it is there and suspension still feels fine.

ok updated the picture, noticed it only appears small.
i am referring to the pinkish reddish part in the picture that looks like spongy..
the left side shock absorber doesnt look like that .
it does go back to same position when pushed down, but when going thru a bit bumpy roads its a bit clanky.. and feels softer than the left side.

That is the bump stop that I can see, normally the only real issue caused by a destroyed bump stop is your car tends to bottom out easier as there is nothing to cushion the travel.

Thats not a very nice looking bump stop but mine were worse, recently I replaced them as going 10k's over speed humps would have my car bottoming out, I have Boge Shocks with King Lows and they are kinda new so I didn't want them to wear out too quickly so I set out to replace the bump stops.

This is the strut out of the car.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_5102.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_5102.jpg.html)

This is the bump stop and dust cover kit.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_5105.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_5105.jpg.html)

This is the drivers side one, very very buggered.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_5104.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_5104.jpg.html)

In comparison to the new one.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_5106.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_5106.jpg.html)

Left is the passenger side strut before replacing it, it was probably as bad as what yours is like now. The right one is the completed refurb.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_5108.jpg (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/peaandham_bucket/media/IMG_5108.jpg.html)

hmm thank you peaandham
so probably, i dont need new absorbers, just refurb like yours and should be good to go
do i get that right?

that'd be great as i was checking for s.absorber prices.. didnt look tasty

If the car is moving about with wind or camber changes, then replacing the struts, bump stops etc. is the wrong place to start. (Worth doing, but down on the list)

Lots of places in the Magna front end that can result in lateral movement. An easy way to check, is to bump up front tyre pressures. If the moving around gets worse with higher tyre pressure (less sidewall flex shows up the problem more), suspect worn components.

In the order that I would check/replace:

Tie rod ends, tie rods. (If the boots are torn, there is probably wear there.)
Ball joints. (Can only be checked properly by disconnecting and doing a turning torque test.)
Play is steering rack.
Loose bolts in suspension arms, hub to strut towers.
Worn/sloppy front/rear rubbers in suspension arm.
Worn wheel bearings.

There will be multiple causes for play in a high Km (200,000 km or so) front wheel drive car so don't expect to find just one cause. Or expect a quick/cheap/easy fix.

Then get a wheel alignment - make sure tyre brand/size/tread depth/pressure is the same L to R beforehand - need the angles printed out to check for accident damage.

If all of that fixes it, my all means replace struts/bump stops/boots to improve ride comfort or handling.

Just wondering how you went as I have similar issues with car movement
Have replaced the back shocks as it seems to be from the back but movement like on windy day still there . Back shocks were rooted with NO bump stop and very little rebound and I think front shocks would be the same.
So have you had any luck with fixing the issue as I am struggling to find the cause with mine. I am looking at replacing rear control arm upper and lower bushes.

I am looking at replacing rear control arm upper and lower bushes.

Dont forget the trailing arm bushes.

Dont forget the trailing arm bushes.

And don't forget what I said in post #6.
(Does anyone actually read and act on what I write? Be honest, could save me a lot of otherwise wasted time. lol)

And don't forget what I said in post #6.
(Does anyone actually read and act on what I write? Be honest, could save me a lot of otherwise wasted time. lol)
i do max your helped me heaps

i do max your helped me heaps

Thanks for that. lol

And don't forget what I said in post #6.
(Does anyone actually read and act on what I write? Be honest, could save me a lot of otherwise wasted time. lol)

Haha, the only reason I suggest that is because with my last axle out of a TE I had a lot of these symptoms and the trailing arm bushes were worn the most.