I fixed the saggy headliner fabric in my 2004 LeSabre with upholstery "twisty pins" from JoAnn Fabric, installed perhaps 6-8 inches apart in a diamond pattern.
https://www.joann.com/value-pack-twist-pins/6058101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxquw7Yab4AIVgovICh35 ...

Strut bolts were NOT coming out, but I successfully got the ball joint apart without damaging it or its boot, a first for me. Tie rod ends (and surprise new bellows for an inner) and CV axle seemingly installed without a hitch...

BUT, after buttoning it all back up, I now have play in my wheel ...

Strut bolts it will be.

Thanks for the insights.

Hey all, been awhile...

Was doing my front brakes this morning on the 2004 LeSabre when I noticed I need a new driver's side CV axle (split outer boot).
(Also found I need new outer tie rod ends on both sides, boots are totally split)

So, it appears the "standard" method requires popping the ball ...

I have seen a lot of complaints about the front sitting higher after a Monroe Quick Strut job on the 2000+ H-bodies. What I wonder is, do all these guys also have blown out rear shocks (and/or bad compressor for ELC versions) that they're not concurrently changing?

I put the Monroe QS's on my 2004 ...

My understanding is that you have to replace the entire control arm. I did so recently with the Dorman brand aftermarket parts, it's not that difficult or expensive:

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 48206.html

l67se wrote:Lower control arm bushings is what I found on my 00 SSEi.

I was going to suggest the same possibility.

Do you have any weird front end "clunks" when braking or hard accelerating and/or front end squeaks on going over a bump at low speed?

dandyd wrote:I did, a full evacuation 2 days ago, replaced the oriface tube and a recharge with 3 12 oz. cans of 134A.

And...?

As has been said, without a high side reading we can't know if the compressor is compressing.

Exhaust valve gets plugged with grit and debris. When exhaust valve no longer works, the compressor will not come on (I assume some BCM logic based on the existence of the code you pulled). This eventually happens to approximately 100% of these compressors.

GM decided for 2000+ models--probably to ...

...If you're willing to spend a weekend working on your car, the complete instructions on replacing the intake manifold gaskets are here
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/engine/topic3591.html
It is time-consuming but not difficult if you are reasonably handy with a wrench.
It is a job ...

LeSizzle!

From the looks of the engine bay pic, could have been VC gaskets leaking oil onto exhaust manifolds. Many a W-body has sparked one that way.

Agreed on Monroes all around, did that myself recently. They may still be on rebate thru end of May, check Rockauto.com for best pricing.

Take a good look at the front lower control arms, too. Front bushings on those are a known weak spot. Do you get any weird clunk noises from the front when ...

Also sounds like wheel bearings to me. Does it get worse the longer you drive on it (i.e., as it heats up)?

Did get around to this weeknights last week.

First did a TB/MAF cleaning. Well, a MAF cleaning...brittle old MAF screen wanted to crack apart while trying to remove, so had little choice but the let the EGR-fouled TB stay pretty foul, or else the MAF screen would likely have gotten plugged up with ...

OK, gonna try to get to the aluminum elbows this weekend. Also going to replace valve cover gaskets with FEL-PRO as long as the alternator and bracket are coming off, I honestly can't remember whether or not I did them when I did the LIM/UIM years ago, but there's oil leaking somewhere from all ...

Remind me, is it possible to replace the coolant elbows without having to do the full UIM / LIM teardown? If so, is there a 2000+ writeup just for that?

The replacement Dorman plastic is leaking, do the newer Dorman aluminum elbows seem less likely to re-fail?

And the 2000+ uses the two elbows ...

OP, where are you located? Maybe a local member can have a peek at your engine.

(If you paid $2400 for a 15-year old H-body with 155k miles, I'm guessing the home of overpriced used cars...Southern California? )

For posterity, here's what I did on my 2004 LeSabre, about a 3 hour and 2 beer job going slow and easy (and not counting the alignment):

LCA's:
DORMAN 520169 Front Left Lower
DORMAN 520170 Front Right Lower
(On my old LCA's the front bushing rubber was nearly completely gone, the sleeves were ...

I just did mine a few months ago if you look at my post you will see it's pretty easy. I did it on a lift but didn't really need air tools. I got complete arms with bushings and ball joints on rock auto. Surprisingly cheap.

I think I found it:

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum ...