Replaced the front struts on the 2001 Bonneville SSEi with Monroe Quick-Struts over the weekend. Fairly easy to do.

A few notes:

A total of seven bolts (not including rim lug nuts)
4 on the lower (two for mounting, one holds brake line, one holds ABS sensor lead)

Break the top bolts only, and then remove the brake line bolt, then the ABS bolt

The bottom mounting bolt to the knuckle/ control arm will require a heavy hammer to push the bolt out after the nut is removed


Very easy job, may want a second set of hands to hold the strut while top bolts are being started, I did it myself so one man can do it.

Did you also have to use a spring compressor?

No spring compressor, nothing. Just a few sockets, a floor jack , a jack stand and a hammer to push out the bolts. Almost as easy as eating pancakes.....

Well, that depends on where you are eating pancakes at. Iv'e been to some resturants that require a chainsaw to cut pancakes.

Anyhoo, thanks for sharing!

Congrats on getting them done yourself, it is always nice to save money doing it yourself!

Did you guide the strut in and put the nuts on the top first?
If not then if you ever do them again out those in first, it makes it a bit easier to do it by yourself, I learned the hard way when I did mine!

Thanks!

"Did you guide the strut in and put the nuts on the top first?"

Yes I did, hand tightened them. After the bottom was secured, I went and torqued the top three bolts (super easy to access). I read somewhere to tighten the top after thetire is put back on, but I didn't see any reason to do it.

i could see putting the weight of the car on it before tightening

Agreed, or at least tighten to torque specs while raised, then when lowered and weight on it, check the nuts to see if they are still torqued enough.
It is about the same as when most mechanics doing tire jobs will torque the lug nuts down, lower the car, move it a few feet, then recheck lug nuts torque.

You don't need a spring compressor, just hand tools and a hammer? Hmmm, I may actually buy a strut for once in my life.

There'* no point in asking if it rides better than your old ones, but would you say they're a suitable replacement for the factory struts?

Colin,

I haven't dropped the car off the stands yet, waiting for the tie rod ends to arrive. Replaced the left strut last night, my shop light broke and was still able to replace the strut with nothing but an overhead light- its that easy. I am excited to get this done along with the new outer tie rods and reconnecting the stabilizer bar. I am hoping for that almost new ride feel.

Another nice thing with the quick-struts, everything completely assembled. Nothing extra to buy, forget to buy, NO SURPRISES WHATSOEVER. Makes one wonder how to justify buying just the strut....