'96 2.4L Quad Four - "Bucket List"

[hufhouse]

I have decided to accept the gift of a 1996 Grand Am with a lot of miles that hasn't been particularly well-cared-for.

Since I'm getting it for free, and it's going to be my sons' first car, I want to bring all of the maintenance items up-to-date. Here's my list:

O2 Sensors
Air Filter
Oil and filter
Spark plugs and boots
Two bad window regulators and motors
Both radiator hoses
Serpentine belt
Wiper blades
Fuel filter
Transmission fluid and filter

What am I missing?

Is there a characteristic problem with this car, such as sensors, that you would change just to be safe?

[hufhouse]

Let me bump this up and be a little more clear...

Is there a "known failure" part in this engine that should be replaced at 139,000 miles while I'm tearing things apart anyway?

On cars I've owned before, the following sensors seemed to wear out over time and cause "domino effect" problems:

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (Saturn SL2)
Mass Air Flow Sensor (Saturn L300)
Camshaft Position Sensor (Saturn L300)

I'm going to be spending hundreds on updating the stuff I listed above, so it doesn't bother me to spend an extra $30 or so on a part that is known to go bad if it saves me time down the road.

Anything anyone can think of before I place my order?

[xeroinfinity]

Not a whole lot typicly go wrong, except for wheel bearings/speed sensor, front usualy. If they dont growl or throw a trouble code I wouldnt worry about those.

And timing chains, but I wouldnt realy mess with that unless you need to pull the head or something.

If you have it up in the air somewhere, on a lift, might check the front suspension, tie rods, sway bar bushing, struts, ball joints, lower control arms, etc.

[hufhouse]

I've got a minor creak on the driver's side front.

Also, the transmission guy said there was a "pinhole leak" on one of the CV boots, and he put some silicone sealant on it.

Other than that, the suspension seems pretty solid.

Not hearing anything from the wheel hubs, either.

Let's hope the timing chain holds up!

[york7805]

do your self a favor and check the airbag computer for corrosion, it will make the airbag light come on, the seatbelt light act up, and there is a tsb from gm about it getting wet and in some extreme cases the airbags have gone off at random, its under the carpet, under the passenger seat just behind the floor vent, unhook your battery first, then check it, careful not to cut any wires, they are to the rear of the module, actually reamove the three bolts holding it down and look at the bottom of it, if there is any jelly like substance, or white crusty stuff, replace it right away, also leave the carpetoff the top so that if the floor gets wet it doesnt soak the computer