That's a sure sign you need new springs. Imagine a full tank plus a full load in the trunk. Your new struts will work a lot to control that load.

The springs in my car sagged when I filled the tank. So I got new springs in the form of an Air Lift kit. Now it's much better.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

Ok so I do need new springs now I'm confused? Then what good are the air struts?

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

The springs hold most of the weight. If it's sagging, replace them. The struts just help keep the wheels planted on the road.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

The struts control the motion of the springs. The spring is what supports the car. The strut is there so the spring doesn't bounce you around well after the bump it absorbed.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

Can anyone recommend some cheapish but yet good springs?
My options are:
Duralast $79 (no info on them though) but I have a $20 credit and will recurve a point
Moogs from advance $96 Or rock auto for $74
Raysbestos $70 from rock auto
AC delco $74 from rock auto

They all say variable rate and really have no other info.

So not really knowing anything about springs I'm thinking wither the duralast because they'll be the cheapest or other the delcos because that would be a factory repacement

I will be having quickstruts in the front (not sure what brand think senstracks)
will be having Gabriel ultra air struts in the back and then I gotta find a set of springs
does this sounds like a good combo? Also will there be any other part I need? New bolts? Any bearing things? Idk?

Is there anything else I should check/replace while I have the suspension all pulled apart? Tie rod ends? End links? Ball joints? I know how to check the ball joint but what about other things.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Ok so I Found out the duralast springs are actually made by moog they have the same part numbers so I will defintely be getting those.

But now I need to know which to get: variable rate or constant rate?
I like to have a nice ride but I also like to drce aggressively once in a while and take corners at a decent rate of speed. Also will be having air struts in the back so that should help.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Variable rate. The harder you drive it the stiffer it gets. It'll help keep your car level with a load in the back.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

Ok good those are the cheaper ones. Lol

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Do not get Gabriels. No one on here has had good luck with them.

Get Sensatraks and get the proper rate AC Delco springs.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

If the springs are Moog, I'd use them. They're not Xiaodong's Guangzhou Spring Company.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

Ok. Here's what I'm getting: front quickstruts (think they're sensatracks) for $50
rear duralast coil springs (but actually made by moog) $68.99 and then the rear air struts (Gabriel ultra struts) $60 for the pair. And they are BRAND NEW!

Does this sound ok? It's the cheapest route.

You mentioned people have not had luck with Gabriel? Do u mean the springs or just all together?

The air struts for rear are $60 for the pair but the cheapest others I could find were the same Gabriels $54 for the non air and $84 for the air struts And that's a piece not for the pair. Others brands seem to be really expensive.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Go for it. If you need to replace the rear struts later, it'll go faster.

You know the rear seat needs removing to get the rear struts out, right? Seatbelt nuts are 19mm, outer stamped nut things are 24mm, IIRC. For the bench, pull the rear up, then pull the front towards the rear while lifting.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

I think he means Gabriel struts. I would steer clear. You could do it cheap now, and then have to do it again later.

I'm still not convinced about the sag. What is "loaded down"? Is that just a full tank of gas or is that three people in the back plus luggage? If you're fine under fairly normal loads, and your springs aren't broken, leave them be.

_________________

Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

When it is empty no load at under it is about normal with a full tank of gas it sags a tiny bit but not really noticeable. When u get the trunk loaded and front passenger and two people in the back seat in is very low.

I'm going to get all the parts tommorrow. So I'm trying to get alot of advice tonight/tomorrow morning.


Why stay away from gabriels? What's wrong with them?

This car does have 278,000 and I think the suspension is all prolly original.

My dad keeps saying I don't need springs. That the struts should fix the sagging when loaded. What do u guys think? I wanna keep it cheap but I don't wanna have some stupid stuff that's no good. Plus I have a $20 credit to use so springs will only be 48.99

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

The struts alone won't fix the sagging while you're loaded. Only springs will fix that. Plus, any load with just new struts will kill the struts quickly. And, it's a balance issue. You are getting newer springs up front. The front will be harder to compress because they're newer. You'll end up with a lot of understeer with the newer springs up front and 278k mile springs in the rear.

The sag with the tank of gas is a sign you need new springs. If a 70 lb tank of gas is enough to have the rear sag, imagine what would happen with a full tank of gas while you're in an emergency maneuver.

And, you're doing everything else. You might as well make a complete job out of it.

_________________
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

I know willwren went through multiple sets of gabriels before saying f*ck them and going with Monroe's. Just spend the little extra $$$ and fix it right, once.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Ok. Thanks yeah I figured I might as well just get the springs I got a discount thing at autozone so after that and tax I'll get a set of springs for $52 so why not?

Thanks so much for all the advice. I'll be picking up the parts and ordering the springs today.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Well after 4 hours in the car and $100 later.....

I got a set of quickstruts with 1,000 miles on them for $50
and a set of Gabriel ultra air struts (Brand NEW) $50 for th pair
I know some of you said don't get these but I thought what the he'll for thAt price being brand new they're worth a try.

Now I just gotta order the springs that'll be another $52 and then buy the air hose kit to go with struts for like $30
So all in all I'll have a whole brand new suspension installed and aligned for less than $300

Now I just need to find the correct air hose/valve kit?

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

This will make the 97SE feel like a night and day difference...

For the air line kir get the Monroe AK29, The Gab Rear struts you got should be a direct replacement for the factory air struts so the AK29 kit should work for you... $5-$6

Are you sure about that air kit as I don't have ELC on my car so I will need to add the manual valves and stuff? The ones I found:
option 1: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Gabriel-Air-Shock-Hose-Kit-with-Air-Adjustable-Shocks-for-GM-Self-Leveling-Systems-Equipped-Vehicles-May-Require-Gabriel-Adapter-Kit-141248/_/N-26hv?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=Air+strut+hose+kit&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=258509_0_0_
Option 2: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Gabriel-Air-Shock-Hose-Kit-with-Separate-Fill-Valves-to-Allow-Air-Adjustable-Shocks/_/N-26hv?counter=1&filterByKeyWord=Air+strut+hose+kit&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=8669_0_0_

I'm thinking the 2nd one is the one I need because it has the fill valves?
The first one just looks like new hoses if you already have ELC?

Any thoughts or comments?

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA