Holy broken strut spring batman!
04-27-2007, 01:14 PM
#1
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Holy broken strut spring batman!
My 2000 SSEI has about 130k on it. Yesterday my spousal unit calls and says to come and get her cause the car is making a god aweful sound coming from the rf. I get there and after some searching for awhile I find the top coil is broken off of the RF strut? Me thinks they have probably never been replaced. I beleive I'll try to change them myself to save a bit of cash.....I'll update the post with how it goes. First step is to find a spring compressor I guess
04-27-2007, 01:22 PM
#2
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
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Struts and spring compressors can be VERY dangerous.
I rip my motor out myself and other things..struts are something I don't do if that gives you any impression.
I rip my motor out myself and other things..struts are something I don't do if that gives you any impression.
04-27-2007, 04:25 PM
#3
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True Car Nut
What Boosty said can't be over-emphasized. The spring can be very dangerous, and improperly applied or cheap spring compressors can cause it to let loose causing damage to things surrounding it. (You, the car, shelves, windows, walls, concrete, etc.)
I've replaced several struts, so it is doable - but it'* a job where you can't be too careful. If you've never done them, get a good manual, good spring compressors (may be able to rent them), and maybe have someone who has done them before be there to help.
I've replaced several struts, so it is doable - but it'* a job where you can't be too careful. If you've never done them, get a good manual, good spring compressors (may be able to rent them), and maybe have someone who has done them before be there to help.
04-30-2007, 04:18 PM
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Thanks a bunch for your concern guys I did venture into this work over the weekend. I went and purchased a strut tool at NAPA and got as far as getting one strut/spring out. I have the Struts on order through NAPA and the spring is ordered through the local Pontiac dealer. I was very cautious and the one came out pretty easy. Of course the top ring was broke on this one so there probably wasn't a lot of pressure. I'll give everyone an update once my parts come in and I get the other strut out.
I did venture into this work over the weekend. I went and purchased a strut tool at NAPA and got as far as getting one strut/spring out. I have the Struts on order through NAPA and the spring is ordered through the local Pontiac dealer. I was very cautious and the one came out pretty easy. Of course the top ring was broke on this one so there probably wasn't a lot of pressure. I'll give everyone an update once my parts come in and I get the other strut out.
04-30-2007, 04:22 PM
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True Car Nut
If you haven't considered it, it would be a good time to replace the strut bearings, as well as the upper and lower spring seats while you have it apart.
04-30-2007, 07:05 PM
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Great idea......I'll take a look at the condition of the spring seats. What do the strut bearings look like? Is that the yellow ring that resides below the seat.....or maybe it is above the seat?
04-30-2007, 09:58 PM
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True Car Nut
This is what the strut bearing looks like...
http://info.rockauto.com/Spicer/Deta...P01,brand=6180
If it weren't for this TSB, I'd normally say that the seats didn't need to be replaced unless they showed wear. If you don't want to replace both...seriously consider the upper.
http://info.rockauto.com/Spicer/Deta...P01,brand=6180
If it weren't for this TSB, I'd normally say that the seats didn't need to be replaced unless they showed wear. If you don't want to replace both...seriously consider the upper.
Subject:
Squeak/Squawk Noise from Front of Vehicle when Traveling over Road Bumps/Swells (Replace Front Spring Seat and Upper Insulator)
Models:
2000 - 2001 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue
1998 - 2001 Cadillac Seville
2000 - 2001 Cadillac DeVille
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
2000 - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
Condition
Some customers may comment on a squeak, squawk or creak noise from the left or right front of the vehicle heard in the passenger compartment as the vehicle travels over bumps or swells in the road.
Cause
This condition may be due to a front suspension strut spring wearing through the spring upper insulator and making contact with the spring seat.
Correction
1. Verify the vehicle condition and perform the front suspension and/or strut noise diagnostic procedure. Refer to the Suspension General Diagnosis sub-section of the appropriate Service Manual.
Important: Carefully inspect all of the strut assembly components for damage.
2. If the condition is due to the spring making contact with the spring seat, replace the existing front spring seat and the front spring upper insulator. Refer to the appropriate Service Manual for the Strut, Strut Component and/or Spring Replacement procedures.
Squeak/Squawk Noise from Front of Vehicle when Traveling over Road Bumps/Swells (Replace Front Spring Seat and Upper Insulator)
Models:
2000 - 2001 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue
1998 - 2001 Cadillac Seville
2000 - 2001 Cadillac DeVille
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
2000 - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
Condition
Some customers may comment on a squeak, squawk or creak noise from the left or right front of the vehicle heard in the passenger compartment as the vehicle travels over bumps or swells in the road.
Cause
This condition may be due to a front suspension strut spring wearing through the spring upper insulator and making contact with the spring seat.
Correction
1. Verify the vehicle condition and perform the front suspension and/or strut noise diagnostic procedure. Refer to the Suspension General Diagnosis sub-section of the appropriate Service Manual.
Important: Carefully inspect all of the strut assembly components for damage.
2. If the condition is due to the spring making contact with the spring seat, replace the existing front spring seat and the front spring upper insulator. Refer to the appropriate Service Manual for the Strut, Strut Component and/or Spring Replacement procedures.
05-02-2007, 12:24 PM
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Thanks a bunch Archon! I have had a chance to get back to the car yet. I'll pull the trigger on the additional parts and then wait to get everything in. I did take some time and get the other strut taken down. The darn spring is taking some time to come in from the local dealer.
05-06-2007, 08:04 AM
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finally got the bonnie back on the road. It ended up I got the struts, strut bearings, alignment and two new tires all completed yesterday. Putting the struts back in was the easy part although it did take two people. It ends up this setup does not require the spring to stay compressed once you get the top back on the new strut. So installation consists of getting the top inserted properly and then rotating the bottom until it lines up. While inspecting the car I found a huge crack in one tire and the other had a spot on it that showed cords. Car should be good to go for another 100k now! "L"
05-06-2007, 10:44 AM
#10
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True Car Nut
That'* true, once you get the bearing cap/strut mount torqued back down, the spring compressors can be removed. If not, things would come flying apart when you try to remove it from the car.
Glad to hear that you're back on the road - likely with quite a feeling of accomplishment!
Glad to hear that you're back on the road - likely with quite a feeling of accomplishment!