Just got back from Firestone. The tech was good, but the manager at the "sales" desk is an idiot.

Rear suspension is sagging. The car has Auto-Leveling. The front struts are border-line.

INPUT PLEASE ON:
Brand Preference
What Part(s) you suggest
All comments and suggestions are welcome.

My POV, replace the springs, struts, shocks, mountings, strut bearings, anything to do with the struts/shocks and maybe the ball joints just for good measure. Might as well do everything and be done with it.
BACKGROUND: Bought the 1 owner car used August 2013 with 58,851 miles. The car has about 95,850 miles on it at the moment.

Thanks! - BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

I have used and still recommend KYB SR1002 rear shocks, they are about $80 on www.partsgeek.com

I wouldn't worry about rear springs until you have a confirmed working ELC setup. For front struts I would stick with AC Delco or KYB.

Test the ball joints and control arm bushings, if they are tight leave them alone, no need to replace something that may easily last another 50,000+ miles.

_________________
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Do you like the current ride quality? Don't buy the aftermarket springs..

If you change the springs and are looking for something a bit stiffer grab the FE2 springs and bars from a 2000-2005 FE2 Bonneville.. What ever you do stay with the stock springs, no aftermarkets..

Definitely do KYB for the back, Monroes are noisy and a weird combination of stiff but wallowy.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

On my 2001 Bonneville SLE I replaced the following last year:

Front Strut Assembly-Raybestos 717-1685.(this is each-you need 2)
What is nice is that they now come preloaded as one assembly.(strut,coil spring,bearing)
Price is $117.39 each on Amazon.(free shipping)

Rear Air Shocks-Monroe MA-822 (this is a pair)
Price is $53.01 on Amazon.(free shipping)

Rear Shock Mounts-Moog K5341 (this is each-you need 2)
Price is $21.05 each on Amazon.(free shipping)

All of the above items matched up perfectly and were fairly easy to install.
If you do order from someone else make sure you check the shipping charges.
That is why I went with Amazon.

Hope this helps!!!

Rockauto, with the forum discount is often cheaper, FWIW.

To the OP, be aware that ACDelco Professional is NOT the same quality as the ACDelco OEM line.

Yes, I have become all too aware that AC Delco Professional is not a QUALITY PRODUCT. Thank you for the heads-up.

As to the rest of the information and comments, they are much appreciated and are very helpful.

Anyone else have comments, suggestions or anything else, please feel free to chime in.

Thanks- BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

I have had two at Firestone tell me my rear springs do not need to be replaced and an independent repair shop owner tell me I don't need the rear springs replaced. I know for sure the rear shocks leak. But I would think the springs would need replacing too. They did on the '92 when the rears were done.

Input, please. - BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

Leave the rear springs alone, just replace the shocks only.

_________________
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Will do. Thank you! - BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

Do you know your auto-leveling system works? It should test run between 17-35 seconds after startup. It should also run the compressor when the car sags an inch to raise it back up. I recently replaced my rear air shocks at 60k. The right one was leaking really bad and so the right side of the car sat almost an inch lower than the left. I checked if my auto leveling system was working before replacing the shocks by adding weight to the trunk until it triggered the compressor-telling me it saw the car sag an inch. Its a good idea to see if it works only because you don't want to spend money on shocks then have some part of the leveling system not working. If the sag is not excessive, I think your shocks are the cause of it.
What I just used:
Front:
KYB struts
Moog K160213 new design of strut bearing(rockauto does not list this as a fit for our cars fyi)
ACDelco upper and lower spring insulators
Monroe boot
Rear:
KYB air shocks
ACDelco rear mounts from rockauto

Everything I used seemed to be of quality. ACdelco insulators probably aren't necessary. Definitely use the new design front mount because they should last longer. The KYB struts/shocks are much stiffer than stock. I don't know if that is a problem for you but it is personal preference. I'm just glad my Buick Lesabre(uses same part# as 00-05 Bonneville) does not float all over the road.

Edit: Link to thread about new design mounts: 2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic39874.html?hilit=new%20design

Thanks for the link to test the mounts. I've suspected the air shocks have been leaking for over a year. Firestone confirmed it. For the time being, I just going to do the rears. Hopefully in the very near future I will get the front too. - BC

EDIT: I had forgotten about the discussion on the front strut mount design. Glad you pointed that out. - BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

i heara popping noise from right front area when i make turns is that the struts going? like plastic grinding

It's probably the strut bearing going. You would likely hear it with the car stationary when you turn the wheel.
Any other faulty steering component would hopefully have been noticed by Firestone's mechanic.

I've used ACDelco Professional struts in one car (before I learned they were not OEM quality for my 93 SLE) and KYB in another (a 98 SE).
I absolutely prefer the KYB's.

DO NOT USE AC Professional. They are the bottom of the line products. I will be using KYB shocks/struts. - BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

I will also concur with those promoting KYB over Monroe. I used Monroe on the SSEi last time I changed the rear and have had a clunk in the right rear because the shock doesn't damp at the end of the extension stroke. By the time I figured it out it was too late and too much trouble to return them. I'll be installing some KYB's back there soon. At one time Monroe may have been the shock to get and was highly recommended by many on the forum - I don't believe this to be the case anymore.

_________________

Resident Tightwad

Screw you, Photobucket.

Crash93 - you suggested that the check the balljoints and control arm bushings. I've been looking for a way to test the control arm bushings, can you please supply instructions on how to test these?
Thanks,

Maybe not bottom of the line--that's the AC Delco Advantage line of products--- but they are definitely NOT top of the line.
Of the 2 complete assemblies I installed in my 93, 1 was defective.
Knew it in a single day.
That is one time I was glad it was an Amazon purchase because Amazon sent me a new one and paid for the return postage on the bad one, because they take care of the warranty for auto parts.

The KYB struts on my 98 offer a nice ride and I would buy KYBs again without hesitation.



So-called pros seem to have a tough time checking these, too.
While away on business, 4 mechanics at 4 shops, including a dealership, couldn't figure out the bushings were bad in my Nissan Quest--even when they heard the noise and felt the front end shake when the brakes were applied. When I got home to where the car was, I took a look for myself and quickly found the problem Needless to say, I did the repairs myself.

Jack up the car, pry at the control arm where it bolts to the frame and look for any movement. Movement beyond 1/8" means they need replacing.
In addition, if they look cracked or otherwise damaged, you'll want to replace them.
They often give a clue that they're bad by making a clunking noise over bumps or when pulling into your driveway.
Here's a good guide for checking the front end http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/bf80316.htm

I put monroe quick struts and oem replacement monroe rear air shocks in my 03 a few years ago. car still rides great. great price and simple job. I did just have a monroe strut go bad on a buick after 60k and 4 yrs, so next time I might consider going ac delco. for the bonneville I recommend going with monroe

I bet your car rides really high in the front end now too.

_________________
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one