Struts
02-04-2009, 08:55 AM
#3
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I'm going to replace both fronts and rear. I have never replaced struts before. I was going to order the struts from RockAuto. That is where I saw the strut mounts. I don't know if the mounts need to be replaced with the struts, or only if they are bad, or what. Do I need a spring compresser or any special tools to replace the struts?
02-04-2009, 09:57 AM
#4
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Not a difficult job, I swap my suspension out every winter because my air suspension is a pain when it freezes. The rear springs are a pain but not something for you to worry about. Yes a spring compressor is needed to replace the strut cartridge. Being experienced with one helps. First time users should be very safety conscious, misuse can take fingers off. The hardware of a strut assembly can usually be reused but depends totally on each situation. Everything goes better if you get the both sides in the air (with jackstands). Especially the sway bar links. For the price of them, I replace them everytime. Go for the heavy duty OEM ones at the bottom of the list. The price difference is minimul. I personally didn't like the little phony OEM clips that the OEM bolts screw into on the bottom rears and I replaced with locking nuts.
02-08-2009, 04:04 PM
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Not a difficult job, I swap my suspension out every winter because my air suspension is a pain when it freezes. The rear springs are a pain but not something for you to worry about. Yes a spring compressor is needed to replace the strut cartridge. Being experienced with one helps. First time users should be very safety conscious, misuse can take fingers off. The hardware of a strut assembly can usually be reused but depends totally on each situation. Everything goes better if you get the both sides in the air (with jackstands). Especially the sway bar links. For the price of them, I replace them everytime. Go for the heavy duty OEM ones at the bottom of the list. The price difference is minimul. I personally didn't like the little phony OEM clips that the OEM bolts screw into on the bottom rears and I replaced with locking nuts.
02-08-2009, 04:12 PM
#7
well being that you have a 04 SLE
you probably have the FE2 suspension
easy way to find this out is go in your trunk and pull the carpet back and look on top of the spare tire cover. there will be a Parts Identification sticker there with a bunch of codes. Look for FE2
they are listed in alpha numeric order so let us know what you find.
FE2 is good...sport
you probably have the FE2 suspension
easy way to find this out is go in your trunk and pull the carpet back and look on top of the spare tire cover. there will be a Parts Identification sticker there with a bunch of codes. Look for FE2
they are listed in alpha numeric order so let us know what you find.
FE2 is good...sport
02-08-2009, 04:18 PM
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well being that you have a 04 SLE
you probably have the FE2 suspension
easy way to find this out is go in your trunk and pull the carpet back and look on top of the spare tire cover. there will be a Parts Identification sticker there with a bunch of codes. Look for FE2
they are listed in alpha numeric order so let us know what you find.
FE2 is good...sport
you probably have the FE2 suspension
easy way to find this out is go in your trunk and pull the carpet back and look on top of the spare tire cover. there will be a Parts Identification sticker there with a bunch of codes. Look for FE2
they are listed in alpha numeric order so let us know what you find.
FE2 is good...sport
Right where you said and FE2 also. Thank you!
02-08-2009, 07:14 PM
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How do the Monroes compare to the ACDelco replacement struts and shocks? Do the Monroes for the rear work with the original compresser and air lines?
