Assistance with first car..

[TheKDub]

Hi all, recently I got my first car, it is a 2000 Chrysler 300m (126K Miles on it), I got it from my uncle who got it in Arizona, and used it for a few years down in Texas. (I live in michigan)

I for sure know that it needs new break pads, new tires, and an oil change, though there are a couple of other things with it.

Every time you hit a bump, even a pretty small bump, the front left tire area squeaks, with the squeak being louder with the larger the bump, though its not like a clean squeak or anything, its got a slight grinding sound with it, I'm guessing that it's most likely shocks & struts which I don't have much of an issue with replacing or having replaced, I'm just not horribly sure as to what would cause it. (The squeak is there even if the car is parked and I push down on the front end to sorta simulate hitting a bump)

 

Anyone have a clue as to what it could be other than the shocks & struts?

 

Also, I plan on getting a remote starter for it as I currently don't have one for it, and also replace the stereo with one that supports bluetooth and/or a 3.5mm audio connection so I can plug my phone in, anyone have suggestions for these?

 

I've also noticed that one of the infinity speakers is blown, so I've gotta get replacements for those too  

 

Thanks m8s! (I'd prefer any suggestions for items to be on/from Ebay, Amazon, BestBuy, or Newegg)

[flibberdipper]

Possibly wheel bearing. If you want, I can ask my dad tomorrow and tell you sometime in the morning. He's one of (if not the) best mechanic in my area.

 

EDIT: After a 1,000+ mile trip in our Crown Vic, if you're on an incline and turn left, we get a nice grind. It's narrowed down to wheel bearing, probably.

[Kyuubixchidori]

hey fellow mich people LOL

 

probably strut or spring. if your replacing the head unit, you will want to replace all the speakers anyway. Stock older speakers tend to be crap. be happy its a out of state car, it will soon start to rust like hell.

 

Luckily my car is from down south. but now im up in michigian, and I just braved last winter without a rear defrost. 

 

edit: is a repeated squeak? as the car hits a bump, it goes up or down a few times, and if each time it does it squeaks, can almost gurantee its the shock tower/spring. if its only once, it may be something else loose in the housing, such as a bearing. But in my experience when front bearings go it makes noises when you turn

[erty176]

Bump: Bushing. Or wheel bearing, depending on where and how it is loose.I suggest skipping trying to fix the remote start/ put in one. Not worth messing with the wiring, unless it is a simple fuse problem, then its an easy fix, but otherwise, your better off leaving it. The bluetooth and plug in can be fixed with a simple head unit upgrade, but if your going to do that, most people put in custom speakers.

[TheKDub]

hey fellow mich people LOL

 

probably strut or spring. if your replacing the head unit, you will want to replace all the speakers anyway. Stock older speakers tend to be crap. be happy its a out of state car, it will soon start to rust like hell.

 

Luckily my car is from down south. but now im up in michigian, and I just braved last winter without a rear defrost. 

 

Yeah, hopefully it lasts at least 6 years so I can use it through college without having to worry about paying for a new car

Imo the current speakers are fine, its just the one in the passenger window that is blown and annoys me.

I'd consider replacing the speakers, in the future, but atm I don't know enough about car audio and such to want to attempt it

 

 

Possibly wheel bearing. If you want, I can ask my dad tomorrow and tell you sometime in the morning. He's one of (if not the) best mechanic in my area.

 

EDIT: After a 1,000+ mile trip in our Crown Vic, if you're on an incline and turn left, we get a nice grind. It's narrowed down to wheel bearing, probably.

 

That would be great!

There's a car repair place my family has gone to for years, we're probably going to take it there once we get the title and such switched over from my uncles name to let them take a look at it, cause the check engine light is on too for some reason (Think it might just be because it needs an oil change)

 

 

Bump: Bushing. Or wheel bearing, depending on where and how it is loose.I suggest skipping trying to fix the remote start/ put in one. Not worth messing with the wiring, unless it is a simple fuse problem, then its an easy fix, but otherwise, your better off leaving it. The bluetooth and plug in can be fixed with a simple head unit upgrade, but if your going to do that, most people put in custom speakers.

 

Ehh, with michigan winters, the remote start would be a blessing, then I can start my car in the morning when I wake up before school and have it warm, or at least somewhat warm by the time I have to go (Probably like 5-10 minutes that I'd let it run before leaving)

 

Do you have a suggestion for a head unit upgrade that would work with my car? I'd consider upgrading the speakers in the car, but I just don't have the money or knowledge of it atm... (It's gonna take me a while to save up for the replacement infinity speakers and such unless I get a job, but even then I'll need to save for gas and college too, and don't forget about pc upgrades )

[Kyuubixchidori]

Holy Scary close. Less then 50 miles away lol.

Speakers are easy, they are plug and play.

And your lucky, I cant get a auto starts(manual). Where I'm going I'm happy its a manual though, less likely to get stolen

[erty176]

<snip>

Yeah, your almost better off just saving up for the better speakers and doing it all at once. You won't get the full benefits of the new head unit unless you put in the speakers to match. But here is one head unit that will work: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-cd-built-in-bluetooth-apple-ipod-ready-in-dash-receiver-with-detachable-faceplate/8010089.p?id=1219306471556&skuId=8010089 head units aren't very car specific

[Trik'Stari]

Possibly wheel bearing. If you want, I can ask my dad tomorrow and tell you sometime in the morning. He's one of (if not the) best mechanic in my area.

 

EDIT: After a 1,000+ mile trip in our Crown Vic, if you're on an incline and turn left, we get a nice grind. It's narrowed down to wheel bearing, probably.

I agree. Wheel bearing is definitely the first thing I would check, mainly because if it fails while going down the road, you're in an instant car accident.

[TheKDub]

Yeah, your almost better off just saving up for the better speakers and doing it all at once. You won't get the full benefits of the new head unit unless you put in the speakers to match. But here is one head unit that will work: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-cd-built-in-bluetooth-apple-ipod-ready-in-dash-receiver-with-detachable-faceplate/8010089.p?id=1219306471556&skuId=8010089 head units aren't very car specific

 

Eww pink, though it says that you can change the color in the specs, so I'll check it out next time I'm at bestbuy

[Yoinkerman]

I'd leave a remote start out, and check wreckers for a replacement speaker.