An early X-Mas Present for the PA arrived today...

Two Delco Struts from dealer all the way from back east to out west...
Note no bellows included, can I use the old ones off current strut?
Better inspect them first I suppose.
The FE1 struts were discontinued for the 97.
So these are the Professional|Premium Gas Charged ones.
These are specific to a 1997 Pk Ave, 97 Riviera & 97 Olds Aurora only.

I suppose I will need top bearing, would like to re-use top plate- question
The bottom of the spring sits on a seat or pad can I also re-use that ?
Hopefully no cracks in them...

Yea u can re use the old elbows their actually connected to the brake line to caliper & speed sensor connector. Mounted to the strut with 2 10 or 12mm fastners. And u can re use the coil spring seat as long as its not busted open or anything. I did and its fine.. As far as the top mounts go i got new movotech ones and they came with bearings. I would inspect the bushings to the mount and be sure they have no tears or rips in them to prevent having to do it all over again.
Pretty straight forward job.. Not to bad just careful with compressing the spring!

Nice struts Art, as much as I love AC Delco I'm going to get KYB Quick Struts when I do mine, I don't want to deal with the spring, if I did it would be another tool I'd need to buy, then again I love my tools!

i normally just reuse everything. but if you drive alot on dirt roads and ice potholes you may want to get new upper mounts

Thanks Guys! Considering everything is almost 18 yr old, I suppose I am best to find the new top plate & bearing, and have the parts ready.
Just got off the phone with GM on 19294101 top plate & bearing.
There does not appear to be any stock at the moment from supplier, back ordered? I still placed the order anyways to see what happens. Chances are they will find stock & I will get OEM'* bearing & top plate in the future.
No hurry as I don't want to do the install until the salt is off the road anyways. Will know more after they track the order next week & or possibly call supplier when they are open (not on a weekend).
As far as moving the springs over, no big deal. My buds shop has a pro spring compressor mount/rig designed for struts.

Which i knew someone with a shop with access to one of those! Woulda made it alot easier!

Ya It is amazing how many friends you can make when you show up with a portable keg of beer !

Some Sat'* after shop closes, I bring many 2 pint Steins and we have at er...
Even the pizza delivery guy can have one!
The rest of us call cabs or have designated drivers!

Hope they don't rape you too much on the price for the top plate/bearing, most places online want 90.00 to 95.00 for it..That is pretty damn pricey..

Yes William they are not cheap. I think Rock autos price on em are $83 each...
You could say at the dealer they like me....I get them for a bit less than that!

Considering Gm Stated there was not stock, they managed to get me some out of the US !!
The 2 boxes arrived today The kit consists of Top Plate,Bearing and 3 top bolts.
Delco kit Part # is 19294101 or #901-041
It should be noted that GM was not aware of a kit available for the Park Ave.
They originally tried to sell me on individual parts which totaled a lot of money.
I had to give them the kit number which I found on the RockAuto site to get the real deal !!
So here'* the Delco Top Plates & Bearings..

I Checked to make sure the bolts line up with the new Top Plate...Looks Good!