2006 GP Strut Replacement ?

[DC1263]

Just turned 126,000 mi and I think it's time to replace my struts, No major issues, just a worn out ride. I've read the other posts on removal and replacement and it seems rather easy, don't anticipate any problems there. My question is this, Found the 171662L, 171662R quick struts for the rear, But not for the front, the 72177's are all I can find.

Are quick struts not available for the front?

Any advise against using the old front springs with the new struts/mounts or should I just do the new springs so long as I'm in there?

Thanks,,, DC

[njbrain]

As long as the car isn't sagging in the front, you should be ok.

[DC1263]

Ok, So I replaced all 4 struts this past Saturday @ 177,000 miles

GR2 kit for 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix : KYB Outlet : 2 pcs : 339089, 2pcs : 334228 : $256.15 - Delivered

Hardest part was swapping the springs over, not that it was difficult, just time consuming, got the spring compressor loaner

from Autozone... $50.00, Nice tool, worked well, only drawback was that the top strut mount and the bottom spring seat projected way out past the

spring itself so with the compressor installed I could not get a ratchet on the screw, so I had to wrench it, a 3/4" Gearwrench

would have worked well but I didn't have one, so 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn... took about a hour to remove and replace the

drivers front, then moved on to the passenger front, that one went a little quicker at 40 mins,,, 10 mins to get it off 20 minutes

messing around with the spring and then 10 minutes to get it back on, Moving around to the rear, had to reach up into the back

of the trunk to get the top three bolts, not enough space for a ratchet, a 15mm gearwrench is the way to go here too but didn't

have one so again with the wrench, 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn... Had to remove the rear calipers though to make room to swing

the hammer to pound out the strut/knuckle bolts, had a little trouble pounding the bottom bolts out here with a 3 pound

hammer, moved up to a five pounder and they popped out after a few firm hits, took about 45 mins each side so all in all about

4 hours from getting all my tools out to cleanup, uneventful everything went as it should have, except for one minor mishap, I

had the rear passenger side strut out and up on the bench I removed the spring then took a quick break I took a leak and had

my daughter make me a quick sammich, back to work I moved the spring over to the new strut put on the top mount and released the spring, carried it over to the car stuck it up in the hole got the three top nuts on, walked

around to the wheel well sat down and realized I had forgot to put the boot on, "$%@#", so off it came, once again with the

spring and then back on the car "$%@#". The old struts were completely shot, they had nothing left at all, I could push them

down with my index finger and hold them down with my pinky.

Working on the ground was difficult too, I'm 47 now and my knees are shot from years of abuse, so with the car raised on a lift

I think I could have done it in half the time.

Anyway my local fixit shop quoted $1350.00 for the job and another shop closer to where I work wanted $1200.00 so I saved

$1000.00 bucks on the deal, I'm happy.

[matt5112]

Great to see people still tackling jobs themselves.

Hows it ride now?

[NovoGTP]

The funny thing is that at a shop, with a lift and all the tools, they could finish the job in no time, yet still charge 1000 dollars for labor lol. I'm with ya on doing it myself rather than throwing that money at someone else. Look at it this way, you paid yourself 250 dollars an hour to replace your own struts. ;-)

I'm at about 140k miles and about to do all 4 on my 98' today, though i found full assemblies for the front and rear for convenience. They've been worn out for a while now but i was just dealing with it until one of the coils completely snapped. >.<

it's gonna feel like driving a whole new car i bet. let us know how yours rides now

[matt5112]

Shops around here like to charge for labour of swapping springs then install quick struts....

[sdavis11b]

Good job, glad to see im not the only one who used hand tools and hammers to get that bolt loose. Kinda made me miss air tools though. I bet it rides much better now.

[DC1263]

Rides great, I guess you don't realize how bad it really gets when you drive it everyday, I knew they were bad and I know I should have done it way sooner but at least its done now, Got it aligned, everything is good, Got some S turns near the house, took it through them at about 45-50 mph's, the response is awesome, I think its even better than when it was new, Thanks guys for chiming in... DC