Thread: Need new struts

Ok, I have read the other threads, but didnt come up with much in the way of solid info on what I need.

98 GTP, needs new struts front and back. Dont want to lower or change, just stock setup.

The question is, what are some good struts? Do these come with springs already or do I need to reuse the ones on my GTP? (not familiar with FWD strut cars).

I dont want a harsh ride, dont want to really change anything about how it sits, but I do need new struts. Just dont want to spend a fortune for hipro struts.

This is my daily driver, not a corner carver, but I do try to take very good care of her.

What should I get?

Thanks all

Well you can just buy new AC Delco stock struts then.

Rock Auto had these prices on them.

ACDELCO Part # 503323 {#88945803}
STRUT,RR SUSP PREMIUM GAS CHARGED; 4 DOORS
STRUT,RR SUSP PREMIUM GAS CHARGED; 2 DOORS$58.79$0.00$58.79
ACDELCO Part # 503322 {#88945802}
STRUT,FRT SUSP PREMIUM GAS CHARGED; 4 DOORS
STRUT,FRT SUSP PREMIUM GAS CHARGED; 2 DOORS$65.79$0.00$65.79

Or Monroe SensaTrac Struts, though I have heard 50/50 good to bad on them.

MONROE Part # 71662 {SENSA-TRAC STRUT}
Rear
$47.79$0.00$47.79
MONROE Part # 71661 {SENSA-TRAC STRUT}
Front
$53.79$0.00$53.79

Rock Auto has really good prices. You reach them at Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto

Ok, I just noticed doing some searching that most struts do not come with springs.

I did find the Monroe Quick strut assembly that has everything, bearing plate (didnt know I needed but ok) spring, strut, basically the whole setup. Problem is it is 220.00.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...ype=49&PTSet=A

Thoughts on this? Do I need all the stuff, or can I get away with not replacing the bearing plate, spring? How do you know if the bearing plate is bad?

Thanks

Craig

A rule of thumb is if you are replacing your struts 9 times out of 10 you will want to replace your strut mounting brackets that attach to the car at the top of the strut.

You can use your old internals on your current struts if you want. Or buy the pieces needed to rebuild them new. I personally when I have changed out my struts and springs, I replaced all the rubber parts and got new strut mounts as well.

Damn, Rock auto has some cheap ass prices.

80 bucks cheaper than advanced auto for those monroe quick strut assemblies. WOW!!

Other questions still stand. How do I know what I NEED to replace?

Thanks for the quick reply.

Man your fast. lol

I am thinking then if you should always replace some of the parts, then going with the quick strut might be the way to go.

Well it would be the quickest route no doubt. I just like to buy pieces seperately and build them up from scratch. I have never had the quick struts so I really cant comment on their durability or ride quality. But if its for daily driving and such, I sure they will be just fine

Good Luck

I have done a building up piece by piece for my 87 Cutlass and I am still not done. lol

I wouldnt mind doing the build up for the GTP, but just dont know where to start, as I dont know it very well yet. Still learning all the different parts to it as I do the various repairs to it.

Shocks and springs for my Cutlass was easy, 4 of each.

If I did want to go piecemeal, what all would I need to look for? (what all parts are there)

Originally Posted by hunter_alexander

I have done a building up piece by piece for my 87 Cutlass and I am still not done. lol

I wouldnt mind doing the build up for the GTP, but just dont know where to start, as I dont know it very well yet. Still learning all the different parts to it as I do the various repairs to it.

Shocks and springs for my Cutlass was easy, 4 of each.

If I did want to go piecemeal, what all would I need to look for? (what all parts are there)

I have the parts list with all the components needed. I just need to see if I can get it scanned to PDF format and post it here. Or just send it to you. It will give you all the GM Reference part #'s to get the job done

Been there, done both routes....

Buy the Monroe Quick Struts, they are without a doubt the easiest route to go. Back when I redid my suspension again (had KYB GR2s), I priced getting the parts local to rebuild the assemblies myself, yet still use the old springs again, or just buying the Quick-Stuts. The Quick-Stuts ended up being around $40 cheaper + you get new springs and less labor because you don't have to dick with take apart the assembles, just simply bolt them on the car! Also I bought my Quick-Struts from OReillys and they come with a Lifetime Warranty. If I have any problems with them, I get a replacement assembly. Alot of the sourced parts such as the strut bearings only come with a 90 day warranty from my research. The Quick-Stuts are sooooo worth it, buy em! You won't regret it! Especially if your keeping stock ride height + feel. Not worth your time or headache going the other route.

BTW, I did the whole rebuilding the strut assemblies BS once on this car with new bearings, boots, and KYB GR2. IMO it sucked, time consuming and I hate compressing springs (i've seen a compressor fail before, they are dangrous!). I ended up hating the KYB GR2s (car rode like my damn 1 Ton 3500HD Chevy!) and got the Quick-Struts, wish I would of done that in the first place!

When my other GTP needed struts I looked no further... I bought Quick-Struts for that car too! Great product!

Moral of the story... For what your trying to accomplish (stock ride height and feel) don't dick with pieceing everything together, get the Quick-Struts and save time and ease of install. And if you have an OReillys you can get em at, you have a lifetime warranty so no worries there if you have problems.

Good Luck....

My '89 Grand Prix used some type of cartridge set up on the front end. Take off the top plate, pull out the cartridge and reassemble. I literally did both front struts in about 10 minutes. Is there anything like that available for our cars today?

With Macpherson struts you can't do that. The strut supports the car and has the spring installed into it.

Thanks for all the great replies everyone. Good info.

I am ordering the quick struts today.

Ok, quick question.

the fronts are innerchangable correct? It is the rear that are side specific, correct?

Just want to make sure that I am not missing anything.

Thanks

Craig

You will see once you get them, the front strut mount plate will look almost triangular while the rear plate should look almost square. You will have to "spin" the strut plate to match the angle of the side you are placing the struts in. Its not a big deal and its pretty selfexplainitory once you see how they go in

You'll love the ease of install of those Quick Struts, trust me. With all the time you saved no taking apart and reassembling assembles you have more time to detail ****.....such as you suspension, brakes etc! Enjoy!

Would def go with the Monroe Quick Struts. Just got em, and my GTP is fn wonderful. they were super easy to install, and got rid of my clunking noise in the rear (Had a bad strut). Managed to beat O-Reily auto down to $676 for all 4, so I figured that was one hell of a deal, and am really happy with it now.