rear struts

[brake]

Just did the front struts (bearings/cartridge/mount) and now I aim to do the rear ones, it's been taking bumps real hard in the rear lately. They're original AFAIK. Mounts are probably shot.


Is there anything to the rear strut besides the shock, strut to knuckle hardware, and upper mount? Am I forgetting anything?


It's getting a new leaf spring too...it sags in the rear pretty bad (one isolator is missing and the spring is starting to break on the other side.) Should ride like a new car by the time I'm done.


Since complete strut assemblies are available for these cars I might just get a pair of those, depending on price locally. RockAuto prices are great but shipping a big strut is expensive as shit.



disclaimer: no, I am not converting to coilovers.

[94 olds vert]

Theres four bolts. 2 up top and two at the knuckle. The top ones you don't want to break. Spray them a couple nights before and heat it up if you can the night before. Those are 15 mm.

The bottom ones are 1" and with a good sized breaker bar you should be able to break them free. They are splined at the ends so leave the nut on past the threads and hit them out. Be careful not to damage the threads.

It's the strut and mount. The cartridge should already be attached to the knuckle mount.

Hope that helps. If you have any more questions I might be able to help. I recently did this too.

[brake]

Thanks man. I don't need to get at the top bolts through the trunk, do I?

[AL]

I believe you do

[Addicted To Boost]

Yes, the two up top can be accessed inside the trunk when you pull the carpeting away from the sides of the trunk.

[94 olds vert]

When you remove the carpet you will see two bolts coming up from the strut tower. Spray those with PB blaster or similar. The bolts actually come out from the wheel well because the head is inside the wheel well.

[brake]

thanks guys. looks like quick struts are ~$90 a side locally. it's expensive but shipping makes buying big items like these online cost prohibitive.

[94 olds vert]

Having a rear quick strut will make things a little easier. Plus you won't need the tool to put the mount on.

[brake]

huzzah. found a canadian ebay seller. the parts are probably cheap but whatever...$128.12 with free shipping for a pair of complete rear strut assemblies.

[94 olds vert]

That's a good price.

[brake]

not at all. I'll have to hold off on buying them for a couple of weeks, need an alignment after my new inner tie rods this week.

[94 olds vert]

You might need an alignment after doing the rear struts.

[brake]

You might need an alignment after doing the rear struts.

good call. i'll get the front end as close as possible at school and have a shop do the front and rear when i finish up with the rear struts.

[radray64]

Advance auto parts website has the Monroe Econo-matic quick strut, it came out to $137 with a promo code and free shipping or pickup at store, I think I may get those.

[radray64]

I haven't priced all the stuff for the front struts, How much are we looking at here?
Where are you getting the leaf spring too?