I know my '96 has 162K miles on it, but I have noticed that the suspension and linkages on all four corners of the car seem to rattle, clank, and bump around a lot when passing over rough terrain or railroad tracks, etc. I would really like to "tighten" this car back up and make it feel solid again. If I replace the ball joints, bushings, and other rubber items all the way around... as well as the struts... will this make the car feel solid again? Or could it be something else that's causing this?

thanks!

 

yea if you go through the suspension it will be astoundingly better. those bushings are tough though.

 

First, rule out silly stuff like a loose jack rattling around in the trunk.

Then you could try to figure out WHICH components are loose.

Shake the back of the car sideways & try to duplicate the sound.

Now get someone to help.
Without jacking up the car, lay underneath so you can grab the suspension linkages. While your friend shakes the car, you feel the compartments & try to find which particular ones are loose. That way you might not have to replace EVERYTHING.

If you have to shake the car up & down in order to duplicate the sound, then you have to be more careful. When you're down there with your hands in the suspension, be very careful you don't get your fingers caught...