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New front Struts

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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 08:08 PM
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Default New front Struts

Just bought a pair of new front struts from Auto Zone. I'm going to install this weekend
(Time permitting).There Gabrial Ultra, lifetime warranty. $54.99 each. I don't have the electric ride control in my car. Any tips or online instructions? I hope this helps the vibration I've been chasing. Already changed Tires, Rotors, Pads, Steering Rods, inner & outer.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 08:41 PM
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Best advice I can give you to start off with is to return those Gabriels. They're a lousy strut for our cars. I'd consider exchanging them up for a set of Monroe'*.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by vital49
Best advice I can give you to start off with is to return those Gabriels. They're a lousy strut for our cars. I'd consider exchanging them up for a set of Monroe'*.
x2 -- I used Gabriels on my 91 Lumina (200K on it, it wasn't worth it to me to spend the extra money for Monroes) and had to warranty them out 3 times in 20K because they kept blowing. Of course, keep in mind that it had a monoleaf rear spring which was badly abused (jumps/mudding/offroading), but regardless...
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 09:04 PM
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I've had good luck with Gabriels for the last 3 years on the front of the Zilla, but I've heard enough bad to agree you should take them back if uninstalled. Just play it safe.

(To be fair, my 93 is easily the best handling Bonneville on the West Coast, and many have driven it).
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Old Mar 10, 2006 | 07:57 AM
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Did you check/replace the wheel bearings and check the tires for wheel weights?
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Old Mar 10, 2006 | 08:10 AM
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Or maybe even rotate tires front to rear in case it'* a rim. Could even be a sticky caliper or collapsed brake line.
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Old Mar 10, 2006 | 08:21 AM
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I jacked the car up and spun the wheels. Didn't hear any noise. Is there another way to check wheel bearings? As far as the wheel weights any tire rotate they where put on-newly installed & balanced a couple weeks ago when I first started chasing the vibration. Stuck Caliper? wouldn't the car pull to one side or another if a Cailper was sticking? The reason I'm looking at struts is because the virbration isn't consistent. Depending on what kind of surface i'm driving on the vibration shows up. I've notice on fresh(new) pavement there no vibration. Please keep the Ideas & tips coming!
Late,
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Old Mar 10, 2006 | 08:25 AM
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Jack it up..
Put your hands on the tire at 12 and 6...wiggle
Then 9 and 3 wiggle

Any play, clunking or anything?
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Old Mar 10, 2006 | 08:31 AM
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Yea, BillBoost37
I tried the 12 & 6, 3 & 9 thing back when I change the steering rods(inner & outer) three weeks ago. I'm fairly certain its not Wheel Bearings.
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Old Mar 10, 2006 | 08:31 AM
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Could you clarify something for me? Did the vibration start AFTER you got new tires or did you have it before the new tires? It'* unclear in your post.
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