So my recently acquired 08 cat with 67k has open, damaged, or missing boots on nearly every joint on the suspension. This is my third Stype and I was hoping it’d be my last car -I like it THAT much. So, I think I want to keep her for as long as possible. A suspension check found OPEN rubber boots on front upper control arm ball joints, lower front ball joints, front and rear sway bar links tie rods and tie rod ends rear upper and lower controller arms, plus it needs be shocks, upper and lower contol arms and I figured while were at it, we might as well add now control arm bushings shock bushings and axis joint bushings to make a whole new front and rear suspension for about $5-6k parts and labour ( I’m Jan day but not that handy in the shop. The good news is that although every possible rubber boot is cracked or open, they’re still in place and nothing is loose or making any noise according to two mechanics I’ve had look at it.

Do all cats 12 years old and w 70k have this problem. I’m not sure if I should spend the 5-6k it would take to fix all this ( on a 5k used 70k on the clock 3.0 base cat) that would hopefully live a long life after, or should I just bank the $5-6k in a savings account while driving this old cat into the ground over the next year or so while adding to that savings and just use funds to hopefully find another 2008 cat in better shape .mechanically. Will all cats have similar problems due to aging? The Stype cat is the ONLY car I want to dive. I’m just uncertain what the best path to a long term relationship w a mechanically excellent styp would be.

netsveen
.2008 Stype 3.0 l v6 67000k satin edition 1of final 750 cats off the line

 

My ‘06 str has 119,000 miles and it has cracked boots too. But the bushings seemed to be ok. I just replaced some of the stuff in back while replace the rear wheel bearings.

if everything is tight leave it be

 

Yes, All the boots crack and fall apart. More time based than wear and tear from driving. Many complaints on the forum about the boots being poor quality. I believe that posters have found aftermatket boots that they have used to replace. But if the boots are too far gone, and dirt and grime has invaded the joints , often the complete ball joint has to be replaced. Good luck.

 

Here the boots are fine but other items have worn and needed replacing.

It's wet and cold here, so maybe that's the difference.