easy rear strut question
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easy rear strut question
Here'* a simple question for the group. I'm planning on replacing the rear struts on my 94 Bonnie so I can improve the handling ("soft ride" suspension makes me sad :(
I'm going with JR3800'* recommendation on Monroe air struts. My question concerns the lower strut to knuckle bolts. In my previous experience changing Achieva front struts the bolts had serrated grooves and had to be pounded out of the knuckle. It was the only difficult part in the whole swap.
Do the lower bolts come right out or do they require some convincing with a large hammer?
Any other comments that would help are greatly appreciated!!
Rob
I'm going with JR3800'* recommendation on Monroe air struts. My question concerns the lower strut to knuckle bolts. In my previous experience changing Achieva front struts the bolts had serrated grooves and had to be pounded out of the knuckle. It was the only difficult part in the whole swap.
Do the lower bolts come right out or do they require some convincing with a large hammer?
Any other comments that would help are greatly appreciated!!
Rob
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Re: easy rear strut question
Originally Posted by rdusel
Do the lower bolts come right out or do they require some convincing with a large hammer?
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Thanks for the replies!
A long breaker bar I have. I think I'll pick up the struts this week and hope for a rain-free weekend.
It will be nice to not feel the back of the car bouncing after bumps....
Rob
A long breaker bar I have. I think I'll pick up the struts this week and hope for a rain-free weekend.
It will be nice to not feel the back of the car bouncing after bumps....
Rob
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Re: easy rear strut question
Originally Posted by rdusel
Do the lower bolts come right out or do they require some convincing with a large hammer?
If your area of New York uses as much salt in the winter as they do around here...be prepared. I ended up using lots of penetrating oil, a propane torch and a sledge hammer on an impact socket. It took me less time to do the entire rest of the job than it did to remove the bolts.
Cheers,
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Foghorn, you just described what I went through to change the struts on my old Achieva. I still have the impact socket with slightly mushroomed head (from beating with a BFH) in my basement. Guess I'll get it ready in case the Bonnie needs it .
After getting the bolts out the rest of the job was done in 30 minutes per side...
The Bonnie came from NJ and looks very clean (no rust on the bolt heads or threads). Looks like it was garaged and well taken care of. So maybe I'll be lucky...
Struts are on their way from RockAuto. Is it just me or has Monroe become hard to find. Everyone seems to be selling Gabriel and I've had too many bad experiences with them...
I have this strange feeling that right after I change the rear struts I'll no longer be satisfied with the fronts....
Rob
After getting the bolts out the rest of the job was done in 30 minutes per side...
The Bonnie came from NJ and looks very clean (no rust on the bolt heads or threads). Looks like it was garaged and well taken care of. So maybe I'll be lucky...
Struts are on their way from RockAuto. Is it just me or has Monroe become hard to find. Everyone seems to be selling Gabriel and I've had too many bad experiences with them...
I have this strange feeling that right after I change the rear struts I'll no longer be satisfied with the fronts....
Rob