In Need of Replacing....

[Bouchie11982]

my strut mounts......well since the extended warranty company went bankrupt, my strut mounts have been rattling like crazy and the dealership confirmed they are bad. BUT they couldn't repair it....so....leads me to this. (and so i did a search, nothing came up pertaining to my question)
I am looking into how much it'll cost me and what I need to buy exactly. My father's friend works at GM dealership and can get me some parts for cheap.

-So....what EXACTLY do I need to replace besides the strut mounts....?
-Do I need to replace the struts as well?
I was told the struts were fine.....
-Anyone have a diagram of what exactly needs to be taken apart?
-Do I need new springs? (I dont plan on lowering the car right now)

My father and I plan on doing this. We just need to know what exactly needs to come apart and what else would need repalcing along with the strut mounts. THANKS! ;)

[2001GAGT]

Nothing against GM parts but I would check places liek Advanced, NAPA, etc for your strut mounts they might beable to offer more warranty then the GM part. If the only part that has gone bad is the mount then that is all you need to replace. You will need to remove the strut assembly, use a spring compresser and remove the mount off the top replace it and put it back into place. Here is a pic ot the strut assembly, "1" is your mount.

[tenspeed]

I was looking for a strut replacement HowTo but I didn't have any luck. I remember a write up that had pictures. Coupe replaced his but didn't go into detail about removing the struts.

Here's a link to his thread. http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68619

[Bouchie11982]

yea i looked at his thread but not exactly what i was looking for.
as for GM parts, if it's by ACDelco, i trust it

[2001GAGT]

True Katie but I know here is Canada NAPA has a strut mount that has a lift time warranty and is less then the GM one.

[2001GAGT]

Strut Assembly Replacement

Removal Procedure

Fig 1
1. Remove the nuts (1) and bolt (2) attaching the top of the strut assembly (5) to the body (3).
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Place jack stands under the front crossmember.
4. Lower the vehicle slightly so that the weight of vehicle rests on the jack stands and not on the control arms. Notice: Care must be exercised to prevent the drive axle joints from being over-extended. When either end of the shaft is disconnected, over-extension of the joint could result in separation of the internal components and possible joint failure. Drive axle joint boot protectors should be used any time service is performed on or near the drive axles. Failure to observe this can result in interior joint or boot damage and possible joint failure.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
6. Remove the brake line bracket.

Fig 2


7. Scribe the strut flange.
8. Remove the bolts (6) and the nuts (2) attaching the strut (1) to the steering knuckle (3). Notice: Care should be taken to avoid scratching or cracking the spring coating when handling the front suspension coil spring. Damage can cause premature failure. Important: The steering knuckle must be supported in order to prevent axle joint over-extension.
9. Remove the strut (1) from the vehicle.

[99GrandAMSE]

Those pictures and procedures look familiar Greg :) ... for interest sake, I have a pair of GM versions sitting right here that I have to put in (they cost me roughly $100CDN for the two)

[Big Joe]

yeah replace strut mount before your strut come crashing threw your hood. ;)

[Bouchie11982]

HAHA Joe, i won't have to worry, my car isn't 15+ years old

[Big Joe]

HAHA Joe, i won't have to worry, my car isn't 15+ years old

a bad strut mount is a bad strut mount has nothing to do with the age of the car.

[Bouchie11982]

a bad strut mount is a bad strut mount has nothing to do with the age of the car.
not what i believe :P paul's are really bad, luckily they havent gone through the hood

[2001GAGT]

Those pictures and procedures look familiar Greg :) ... for interest sake, I have a pair of GM versions sitting right here that I have to put in (they cost me roughly $100CDN for the two)

You haven't seen them before have you?? :lol:

[99GrandAMSE]

Nope, of course not ;) :lol:

[bballr4567]

Its a pretty hardy job to get it done. Id say probably an hour and half to get it done if you are fast and good with tools and the bolts arent siezed up. Get some of the stuff that the company that makes SeaFoam and use it liberally. Cant remember the name of it right now.

Also GM parts ALWAYS leave something to be desired especially strut mounts. Do yourself a favor and get aftermarket ones. I had some KYBs and they were noticeably beefier then the OEM ones I took off.


Good luck!!!

[MagusXIII]

Its a pretty hardy job to get it done. Id say probably an hour and half to get it done if you are fast and good with tools and the bolts arent siezed up. Get some of the stuff that the company that makes SeaFoam and use it liberally. Cant remember the name of it right now.
Katie, the stuff Josh refers to is called DeepCreep. Any good penetrating oil meant specifically for removing rusted bolts and such will work fine as well. Just do not use WD40 is it is not a true penetrating oil. It will not work as well or as quickly as a true penetrating oil.

[Nighthawk243]

Katie, the stuff Josh refers to is called DeepCreep. Any good penetrating oil meant specifically for removing rusted bolts and such will work fine as well. Just do not use WD40 is it is not a true penetrating oil. It will not work as well or as quickly as a true penetrating oil.

PBblaster is another alternative.

[Ralph]

katie its an easy job as you know I've done it many time. Just go to advanced auto and pick up some they sell i think its like $35 a mount. I had 3 KYBs break on me in 6 months so I don't go with them anymore.