I found some videos that are not the best, but show enough to help give you an idea of what you need to do to replace your front struts.

According to the video completely new complete pre-assembled strut assembly....available from after market...
Am I missing something? From what I know, quick strut not available from Monroe for my 97 PA is there one available elsewhere or other manufacturer that I dont know of?
Sure would be nice to have on ready to go in with new top plate and bearing etc.

For some reason nobody seems to make a quick strut for the 97'* or 98'*, but you can get them for the 99'* and up.
I wonder if the struts for the 99'* would fit right, or cause any problems?
What gets me is why they decided to skip the 97'* and 98'* when they made the quick struts..

Here is a pic showing specs for the 97 on the left, and the 99 and up on the right.


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William I went to the Monroe Website they are making a quick strut for 1998+ now.
(ah just not 97) I sent a message from their site stating this series of car 1997-2005 for PA should be all the same, and am asking if the 98 quick strut would work, and have them explain why there is no listing for a 1997. Will post back any reply. It could be that as the first year of the new series of PA, that there were some sort part differences. If I went to RockAuto and tried to get it all new it would be super costly just to do the front. I know I could go KYB re use the current springs/boot, but a quick strut sure would make it easier and less expensive!!!! Then alignment after install too...

I must have put something in wrong, I searched for a 98' quick strut, but did not see one listed, just searched now and I see it, not sure how I missed it.

I hope you get a response back from Monroe, interested in seeing what they will say.

Reply From Monroe:
basically went.... "1997 takes a shorter strut" therefore they dont have a complete assembly available.
How much shorter? Dont know..
Would a 1998 fit into my 1997? Ah probably not??? Dont know about that if strut is shorter. Time to look at specs I think it may be longer not shorter..LOL who knows...

Hmmm, in the specs their 97' strut has a body length of 10.563" , when their 98' has a body length of 9.875"

The compressed length of the 97' is 11.000" , when the 98' compressed length is 10.375"

The travel length of the 97' is 7.500" , and the 98' travel length is 7.125" .

The only thing I see that I am not sure about is the extended bumper stop, the 97' has one, and the 98' does not, I wonder if that has something to do with them saying the 97' is actually shorter, when its specs say otherwise.

They both are the same body style B5, so I believe that means bolt patterns are the same, I could be wrong there though, still learning a bit about struts and shocks.

Thanks William for looking up the specs! I was right the 97 are longer !
I wonder if the spring is also longer? One thing is for sure I am only going to chance the correct front parts for the 97 PA and stay sway from Monroe, KYB is better route anyways.
This way I can move over what is needed as far as rubber base etc and just have new bearing on hand and assume the top plate should be ok to swap as well?

if your car has over maybe 120k i would just replace it while you got it apart

Welcome Art, I am with you on not chancing it and ever trying the shorter struts, if I ever get me a 97' I'll have to try it just to know whether or not they will work, I want to see just how much ride height is effected once the weight of the car settles on the struts, as well as whether or not any improvement is felt in the way the car rides.
Then again I really want KYB'* on my front no matter what I drive, I am ok with Monroes on the rear, as long as it is not the cheapest Monroes...



I second this, the top plate/strut mount is not too pricey, and it is a good idea to replace it, they do get worn over the miles.