My 03 mcs is getting older. I have a feeling that the stock original shocks are needing to be replaced? How would I know for sure? When I brake from high speeds I get a slight shake in my steering wheel. Could that be from worn struts. I assume the original shocks would be fine and I could upgrade the struts.

Any input appreciated

 

I'd guess your lower control arm bushings are shot as well as at least one of your shock tower mounts. Then ball joints.

When all that went on Artoo, also a 2003 MCS, I also installed Koni FSDs as I really didn't want to take it apart again but I don't think the shocks were bad.

These things are easy to check (except the ball joints) just by looking.

Rich

 

It could be your worn out rotors when you get the vibration braking

 

My rotors probably have 10,000 miles on them with carbotech pads. They are napa rotors though so I thought possibly they were warping, but I don't get any vibration at low speeds.

My lca bushings were replaced under warranty at 45000. I guess they could be worn again. How do I check those,

 

I had my garage helper pull the front wheel fore and aft while I looked at the LCA from up top. It takes a flashlight to see all the way down there but it beats laying on the floor. I saw a ton of left-right movement, probably 5mm either way from center. LCA bushings were definitely toast. I had a lot of oscillation at the steering wheel, that went away after putting in the poly bushings.

My shocks are pretty much just pogo sticks now at 81K. Clearly that's the next step for me. I think they were on the way out at 75K, which seems longer than most people go.