Went to put new tires on the girlfriends car yesterday and found an unpleasant surprise.



So I ordered the new struts and mounts and got to work removing the old.



First order of business, jacked up the back end, got my jack stands in place, then removed the tires.

Support the control arm to prevent the coil spring from forcing it down and possibly damaging something. I used a jack. (Just supporting it, not holding the car up with it).



Next, off come the air lines.



Disconnected the auto leveling sensor linkage, pushed the lever all the way up to simulate load, then turned the key to on to test the pump. Pump works.

Remove back seat to access top strut bolts.



Remove the pair of bolts that hold the strut to the control arm. The nut is 24MM, the head is (22MM i think).





This is where I stopped. Those bolts were on pretty good so I soaked them with PB Blaster and will take another crack at them next weekend. May need to torch them.

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics. Looking forward to next weekends update and completion!

pretty similar to my bonnie, but fortunately i didnt have to remove the seat, you could get to them from the trunk. the spindle bolts i had to use a acetylene torch to get the bolt out, heating the spindle. i think the bolt itself came loose with some cheater bar but to get it out i had to heat the spindle and pound it with a bfh

The back seat in the LeSabre is easier to remove than the Bonneville. LeSabre just has two lower bolts then lifts up, Bonneville has 4 lower bolts and then 4 clips up top (and I found out the hard way they are VERY expensive clips).

Looking forward to the conclusion of this one, want to fix my air ride but I'm not looking forward to it. This should give me some hope!

depends whats wrong, when my struts went it took the compressor out too.

https://www.gmforum.com/buick-172/st...-302814/page2/

Luckily the compressor on this one still works, and Doug, changing the struts so far hasn't been very hard or expensive. Just not looking forward to those giant bolts... Not so concerned about my breaker bar breaking since it has a lifetime warranty. More worried about something else breaking along with it such as my arm.

Had the same trouble your having when I replaced the rear struts on the bonnie. those bolts are grizzly bears! Could not get them off to save my life. Eventually gave up and had a shop do it lol. I did not try heating them up though.

just switched my rear struts a week ago.. actually easy job.. mine was not rusty or corroded like those.. just a quick zip with the impact wrench and the bolts came right out

an electric impact tool are pretty cheap.. and help a lot

I believe you can install regular non air adjustable struts if you no longer have a working airpump

also Monroe matics are 38.99 each (rg 58.99)at advance auto promo code a124 at online check out and pic up at store.

Man.. that could have saved me $40 if I hadn't already ordered them = P Also, those bolts laughed at my air impact.