I purchased some struts for my car

[impala67]

what did someone write? not so many front strut options? atleast at rockauto is dozen varieties!

I am thinking of renewing JUST the shock, not the whole strut.... to keep the boat ride.

Here is what I found, i would say LOTS of choices; ..too many actually!

GABRIEL Part # G68718
F Gas Charged Strut PARTS KIT MAY BE REQD; Base Model €18.67

MONROE Part # 71822 {#931822} Sensa-Trac Strut
w/o Electronic Suspension; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Replaces Struts Without a Lower Spring Seat Bracket; Front
€21.06

GABRIEL Part # G68707
Rear;Ultra Strut ULTRA STRUTS CONV TYPE REPL FOR AIR ASSIST REAR SUSP EXC ELEC ADJ - STRUT ONLY - PARK AVENUE w/REAR COIL SPRINGS - LESABRE
Rear;Ultra Strut STD SUSP - PARTS KIT MAY BE REQ
€21.80

MONROE Part # 71798 {#931798} Sensa-Trac Strut
w/o Electronic Suspension; Spring Compressor NOT Necessary for Installation; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Air Adjustable Strut; Rear
€26.67

SENSEN Part # 42140790 Front
€28.08

GABRIEL Part # G68726
€32.79

ACDELCO Part # 506235 {#22113668}
STRUT,FRT SUSP €43.77

KYB Part # 236007 GR-2 / Excel-G
(Exc. Electronic Adjustable Suspension); Recommended OE Replacement; Front
€46.13

ACDELCO Part # 503353 {#88945833} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,FRT SUSP 4 DOORS
€47.70

ACDELCO Part # 503346 {#88945826} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,RR SUSP 4 DOORS; AIR (RR SPRING TYPE), NON AIR STRUT FOR AIR ASSIST; w/o AUTO AIR LVL CONT(G67)
€50.83

SACHS Part # 030679 Supertouring
Conventional Type; OE Replacement; Strut; Rear
€51.62

ACDELCO Part # 503364 {#88945844} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,RR SUSP DOES NOT INCL SPRINGS DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN; 4 DOORS; AIR (RR SPRING TYPE); w/o AUTO AIR LVL CONT(G67)
€55.54

MONROE Part # 171798 Quick-Strut Complete Strut Assembly
w/o Electronic Suspension; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Spring Compressor NOT Necessary for Installation; Air Adjustable Strut; Rear
€59.46

KYB Part # SR1003 SR Series; Air Leveling Unit
(Exc. Electronic Adjustable Suspension); Air Strut, A Coil Spring Compressor is not needed; Recommended OE Replacement; Rear (Only 4 Remaining)
€59.62

SACHS Part # 030687 Supertouring
Air Assist Rear Suspension (Standard Equipment); OE Alternative; Strut; Rear (Only 1 Remaining)
€67.31

ACDELCO Part # 503358RS {#19166882} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,RR SUSP CONVENTIONAL TYPE REPLACEMENT; 4 DOORS; AIR (RR SPRING TYPE), STRUT AND UPR MOUNT ONLY; w/o AUTO AIR LVL CONT(G67)
€68.88

ACDELCO Part # 503365RS {#19166884} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,RR SUSP DOES NOT INCL SPRINGS DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN; 4 DOORS; AIR (RR SPRING TYPE)
€73.67

KYB Part # SR4023 Strut-Plus complete corner unit assembly
(Exc. Electronic Adjsutable Suspension); (For Adapting Air Shock / Strut to Non-Air Suspension); KYB DESCRIPTION Strut & Mount Assembly; For vehicles with Electronic Susp., Leveling Control, and Air Suspensions refer to Appendix C.; Recommended OE Replacement; Rear
€77.51

ACDELCO Part # 22064105
STRUT,RR SUSP DISCON; w/SOFT RIDE SUSP(FE1) [Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty] (Only 2 Remaining)
€79.86

RAYBESTOS Part # 7171822 Professional Grade
Except Adjustable suspension; Front
€86.93

ACDELCO Part # 505397 {#22113667} STRUT-GAS CUSHIONED
STRUT,FRT SUSP w/SOFT RIDE SUSP(FE1); GAS CUSHIONED
€94.77

MONROE Part # 171822 Quick-Strut Complete Strut Assembly
w/o Electronic Suspension; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Replaces Struts Without a Lower Spring Seat €95.56

MOOG Part # ST8507 Complete ready to install assembly including strut, spring and top mount
Complete ready to install assembly including strut, spring and top mount; Lower Mounting Hardware Included; Exc. Electronic Adj. Suspension; Front
€100.26

ACDELCO Part # 5163 {#22064183}
STRUT,RR SUSP RED AIR LIFT; w/FIRM RIDE & HANDLING SUSP(F41) [Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty] (Only 4 Remaining)
€106.62

KYB Part # SR4022 Strut-Plus complete corner unit assembly
(Exc. Electronic Adjsutable Suspension); Recommended OE Replacement; Front
€110.46

ACDELCO Part # 903008RS {#19294057} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,FRT SUSP 4 DOORS; EXC ADJUSTABLE SUSP
€134.00

ACDELCO Part # 5159 {#22064179, 22064183, 5163}
STRUT,RR SUSP RED AIR LIFT; w/SOFT RIDE SUSP(FE1)
STRUT,RR SUSP RED AIR LIFT; w/FIRM RIDE & HANDLING SUSP(F41)
€143.42

ACDELCO Part # 503530RS {#19165965} PREMIUM GAS CHARGED
STRUT,FRT SUSP 4 DOORS
€145.77

MONROE Part # 71822 Twin-Tube; Type:Gas Pressure; Suspension Strut; Sensa-Trac
From 1/1991; Front Axle; For vehicles without electronic suspension control; Technical Information Number: AK043
Front Axle; For vehicles without electronic suspension control; Technical Information Number: AK043
€104.97

Economy
GABRIEL Part # 801542
F Strut GUARDIAN STRUT [Wholesaler Closeout - Private Label Pkg. - 30 Day Warranty] (Only 1 Remaining)
€25.73
Add Part
MONROE Part # 801822 Monro-Matic Plus Strut
w/o Electronic Suspension; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Front
€34.36

MONROE Part # 801798 Monro-Matic Plus Strut
Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Spring Compressor NOT Necessary for Installation; Air Adjustable Strut; Rear
€35.93

MONROE Part # 181798 Econo-Matic Complete Strut Assembly
w/o Electronic Suspension; Spring Compressor NOT Necessary for Installation; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Use to depletion, then use 171798; Rear
€42.20

MONROE Part # 181822 Econo-Matic Complete Strut Assembly
w/o Electronic Suspension; Use PN[AK43] to Replace OEM Lower Mounting Hardware if Necessary; Replaces Struts Without a Lower Spring Seat Bracket; Front
€47.70

LEACREE Part # 501718229 Complete Strut Front
€55.54

PRO Part # 27210280
Except Electronic Adjustable Suspension; Front
€76.73

PRO Part # 27210520
Except Electronic Adjustable Suspension; Air Strut; Rear
€107.33

[seekinhighhp]

I thought I mentioned it but I bought the complete strut set. I just rambled on as I explained why I thought my struts sat higher when I put them on. I took the entire old struts off and put the new complete strut on both sides on the front. Same with the rear shocks and I replace the old air lines with new air lines.

[seekinhighhp]

Speaking of airlines, I pushed the air button to see if the air compressor work so I could pump my own air in the tires, the darn thing still doesn't work. The compressor itself works and levels the car but to manually use the air button, no workie! I had to manually put air in it using a compressor at the gas station. My, my, my! I almost caused a gapper delay doing this, lol!

[repinS]

That doesn't answer the question. We know you got struts. For the front, did they include springs and sold as one assembly? If not, did you also replace the strut mount/bearing?

RockAuto does have a lot of options, but unless the design and quality have changed recently, it's generally accepted that Monroe SensaTrac offers good value for your money for FE1/FE2 offerings. The 'economy' lines from companies like Gabriel tend to last not as long, and ride quality might still be compromised compared to factory. If one really wants to keep as close to stock as possible, they'll have to pony up for AC Delco.

I personally am not a believer in quick-struts, unless someone doesn't mind potential changes or compromises in ride height or ride quality.

[01bonneSC]

If its the quick strut with the spring, there's your problem.

[impala67]

thanks for recommendations repins, i start saving money for monroes strut-part, not for the whole assembly. but still like i wrote, if you renew the strut part, You might also need the upper bearing like I do when car is driven over 170k... to prevent steering leaning to other side of the road when bearing gets old, like mine does currently.

[repinS]

Believe me, I know all about not replacing the mount! I recently made the mistake of doing only the bearing. The old mount popped after 10 miles. Stiff brand new FE5 struts probably expedited the failure of the already weak rubber. There was no visual evidence to suggest that it would fail so soon!

[impala67]

i just renewed upper bearing, got to do it despite the fact i had to put back old struts-
question; steering wheel is now in different position! i must have done something badly, i thought it could NOT go wrong since the strut is attached with thru-bolts...??? thanks for any comments

[deano55]

NOTE; did you renew the Strut mounting? it can cause also trouble;
noticed at annual inspection station that its not the brakes that drag but the strut upper bearing that is shot! so this is hint to all; if you feel like the brakes are slow to free the disc, it could be stuts upper bearing, that is replacable without renewing the whole strut!

thanks to this i can keep the boat feeling i dig with my buick,
while i only drive commuter highway traffic, no nurburgring races...

I don't understand how the strut bearing would have anything to do with how the brakes feel

[impala67]

well it did not, i just ASSUMED before that my brakes dragged... but found out that it was struts upper bearing (which is PLASTIC btw) was shot.

Replaced it, and no more drag in steering- now i need to align the wheels.

[seekinhighhp]

He meant did you get "quick struts" with the spring, mount, etc all together, or just struts that you swapped all your old hardware onto?

I purchased the quick struts.

[01bonneSC]

He meant did you get "quick struts" with the spring, mount, etc all together, or just struts that you swapped all your old hardware onto?

I purchased the quick struts.

Thats the cause of your stiff feeling suspension. How many miles have you put on the car since putting the quick struts in?

[seekinhighhp]

Maybe 2000 miles

[01bonneSC]

It should soften up some with some more miles. Not much you can really do.

[seekinhighhp]

I rarely drive do it may take it several months before the softness kick in

[vogie01]

It might take that long since you don't drive the car to often. I put these same ones on about 40,000 miles ago and they are really soft now. Much more than I was hoping they would be. They have a nice little bounce to them on the freeway at 75mph with all the humps on I-94 here in MN. The nice thing is though is that Monroe has a pretty decent warranty for them, but the company has a 50,000 mile replacement interval which seems to be way to early in my opinion.

[motopsyco]

i just renewed upper bearing, got to do it despite the fact i had to put back old struts-
question; steering wheel is now in different position! i must have done something badly, i thought it could NOT go wrong since the strut is attached with thru-bolts...??? thanks for any comments

Probably because the mount or bearing was bad for awhile and last time it was aligned it was aligned to being offset. Now that its where its actually supposed to be at, the wheel is off because it needs to be re-aligned. or if you had it aligned after you replaced it, maybe the place skipped a step and didnt align the car to the wheel and just aligned the car to itself.

[impala67]

got it aligned... but shop did bad job and steering wheel is slightly to OTHER side...

another great feature is that now the shock cl-cl-clonks badly in each bump. it has got tired after all this work around it. so i ordered new monroe struts, should arrive around new year with slowboat. until then i listen that clunk, checked that nothing is loose. its just that darn absorber.

[impala67]

replaced finally struts with monroe quick-struts, looks stock height and feels ok, best side is now it does not clunk any more. need to do the small links too, those had some slack and make small sound.

but now after wheels were aligned again (at shop) due this job- car wont start...started another topic about it. oh man. i feel like car shop is like hospital; keep away and one is ok. in hospital or repair shop you/car gets sick and money starts flyin´....