Quick Strut and other questions

[stealthee]

So I am pricing out struts for the GP and am looking at quick struts for ease of installation. I am noticing almost all of them are noted as for being for 16" wheels. What does the wheel size have to do with the struts? Also has anyone used the Moog branded quick struts? If so what do they ride like?

I am mainly looking for something to make the car continue to ride like stock. The only reason I am even looking is the strut mounts themselves are rusty on top and I figure I may as well replace the whole thing.

Next question. I am going to go ahead and replace a wheel bearing that is making a grinding noise when I do the struts. Probably look at doing control arms too. Is there anything else I should be prepared for needing when I do that, such as sway bar bushings?

Lastly, once this is done I know I am going to need an alignment. If I get a 4 wheel alignment, and down the road decide to change the rear struts will it affect the rear alignment? I know on most other cars it won't, I just want to make sure.

Thanks in advance.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

The new struts in the rear will throw the alingment out, it can even make the front out again. So you'd end having to get it done twice.

You might aswell change the sway links at the same time, that way nothing is old and no chance for you to hear any noises.

Size of the rim shouldn't matter, not even sure why it would say that in the parts description.

[Exile]

Did my struts in October with KYB loaded struts. Rears were $124 each and front were.... $44 each (open box) off amazon. I'm a prime member so shipping was free. Ride quality did improve obviously and no more bouncing. They are a bit stiff. Plan to seriously consider and look into swapping out the springs over summer to lower it. As is, I think it looks like a monster truck now. I'm sure they'll settle a bit, but prolly not enough for me.

Overall tho, very happy with them. Fronts are 5x easier... rears sucks getting a torque wrench in the trunk and the sway bar is kind of in the way.
Might wanna inspect your rear sway bar endlinks if you decide to do the rear. Since they're attached to the struts and may or may not properly pivot any longer. Maybe just upgrade them while you're at it, I did for $40.

As far as alignment... I haven't gotten one yet. On the top of my list; so I am also curious for that answer.

[stocker]

Stealthee, have you been able to find FRONT quick struts for you car?? I haven't been able to find them for my 08 and neither can this guy:

http://www.grandprixforums.net/showthread.php?t=86180

Let me know what you're finding...

[stealthee]

Actually I have not. Have found a bunch of rears. I have found front quick struts, but they say they are only for 97-03.

I mean, if I have to I will just buy new struts and strut mounts, but I'd rather not go that route. As it stands I am probably going to have to take it to my buddy's shop since I no longer have a garage.

[Bronco Boy]

'02 GP GT front Monroe Quick-Strut, #171661.

[stealthee]

Yeah that was the part number I found, but sites are saying it is not compatible with 04+

[CyxRyan]

2004+ You can only get the rear's pre-assembled, I had to buy the parts for the front which I went with KYB. I haven't had the time to install them yet because i'm replacing some other suspension parts so I can have everything ready for an alignment.

[stealthee]

After research in another thread it is confirmed that 06-08 use a 97-03 style control arm, which means the sway bar connects to the control arm. With that said there should be no issue using a 97-03 strut on 06-08. As it is, people have used 97-03 control arms on 04+ to use 97-03 struts.

The only thing I haven't been able to confirm is what it does to the ride height and overall ride. It was stated that it lowers an 04+ using 97-03 struts. If it does, then that sounds okay to me. I just don't want a bad ride out of it.

[HighOctaneRacing]

word

[stocker]

After research in another thread it is confirmed that 06-08 use a 97-03 style control arm, which means the sway bar connects to the control arm. With that said there should be no issue using a 97-03 strut on 06-08. As it is, people have used 97-03 control arms on 04+ to use 97-03 struts.

The only thing I haven't been able to confirm is what it does to the ride height and overall ride. It was stated that it lowers an 04+ using 97-03 struts. If it does, then that sounds okay to me. I just don't want a bad ride out of it.

Do you happen to have those thread on hand that discuss the compatibility? I am trying to assure myself 97-03 LCAs and quick struts will do the job on my 2008. Thanks for any insight.

[stealthee]

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...06#post1175406

[stealthee]

Well, I'm not saying this is definitive proof of my belief that 97-03 quick struts work with 06-08 GP's, but it is a start.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Centry-Regal...386bde&vxp=mtr

Basically in the compatibility section it says that strut "Will not fit models where your sway bar link attaches to your strut." Well 06+ doesn't attach to the strut.

What I need to do is go to Advance and have them pull an 03 strut and an 06 strut and compare them.

[lance4682]

not to hijack your thread but if you figure out what your going to do monroe has a 120 rebate if you purchase all four quick struts i purchased mine from rockauto with there coupon code and rebate which i already recieved it ended up being like 320.....food for thought

[stealthee]

I actually say that rebate too. That definitely helps on the cost.

[stocker]

I put the 03 LCAs and KYB quick struts on my 2008 last night. Everything seems fine except for the monster truck look; I hope the springs settle!

[stealthee]

I guess that answers my question I asked you in the other thread.

[ChaseZ97]

anybody know where I can get bags for my 97 grand prix? its 4 door gt. thanks!

[fmayo]

Been reading the forum for strut recommendations, maybe Im over thinking it but what's the way to go for a DD? I'm just looking to basically keep a stock ride but don't know if KYB or Monroe is the way to go. Have an '06 GP and will be looking for all 4 struts.

[MikeB91]

I'll be replacing the struts in my DD 07 GT (97,000 miles, 17 in wheels) in a couple months. Rock Auto has a Monroe quick strut for the front but no quick struts for the back (17" rims). I looked at the specs and the strut for the 17" & 18" wheels was slightly longer.

I'll be going with the new Monroe Sensa-Tracs and new mounting kits which is pretty much the same is what I did with my 98 GT ten years ago. For that I used the new struts and mounting kits. I re-used the springs and ended up using all the original insulators and boots (mainly because I was doing this on a holiday with no stores open and didn't have new ones) and they worked just fine for as long as I owned the car (7 more years). If you want a stock ride, go with the Monroe's.

The main complain I'm reading on the quick struts is the bellow is plastic while OEM is rubber. Some people think they sound like a plastic bottle crunching.