AC Delco/Sachs shocks

[Mark Fahey]

For those trying to decide which brand to buy for rear shocks for 2000-2003 Bonnevilles, don't bother because they are the same shock only with a different sticker. Just go with whichever is cheaper or the Sachs in the case of Rock Auto.
When I installed the Delcos a month ago, I had a tough time getting the nut on the threaded rod because as I figured out, the rod was 3/8" shorter than stock and all 3/8" was in the threads. I thought I had enough threads engaged, not what I would have wanted, but enough and it was the best I could do. However, as I found out 20 miles into a 500 mile trip this weekend, there actually weren't enough threads holding the rod to the mount so for most of the trip, we had no right rear shock and there was a terrible banging on top of the lousy handling.
When I got home, I removed the shock and found the top 2 threads stripped and since that may have been about all there was for the nut to grab in the first place, I decided to bite the bullet and get new Sachs shocks. When I took them out of the box, I compared the Delco to the Sachs and they are simply the same shock. Same black color, same numbers stamped on the tube and even the same "Made in Mexico" stamping, same shorter rod. For all I know, they are the same as other shocks, just with different stickers.
When I installed the Delcos, I attached them at the bottom and then worked on the nut in the trunk which is how I've done it before without any trouble. With the Sachs, I started in the trunk and I had to use the washer that was supplied because the cupped OEM washer wouldn't work due to the shorter rod.