The go-to thread for 2000+ strut replacement updated 4-5-15

[crash93ssei]

This original post has been updated with all of my findings from the manufacturers listed for the various struts for the 2000 - 2005 Bonneville.


Going to order new struts for the Mutt tomorrow, I would order today but I want to call AcDelco and speak to them to find out the difference between the two struts they offer for the 2000 - 2005 Bonneville.

So far, these are the options I am considering...

KYB GR2 - These seem to be recommended by a few members that have them.

Arnott SK-2189 - I just found these on the Cadillac forums and they seem like a good choice, price is for two of them.

AcDelco 503-589 / 19172172 - These are listed on various GM parts sites, but no other info given other then what they fit.

AcDelco 506-254 / 22064781 - These ones are listed on GM sites as OE replacements for FE1 and FE2 on the Bonneville, but the Aurora lists them as FE3 replacement, so I have no idea what suspension they are *actually* made for, my guess is a compromise between the three leaning towards the FE1 yucky ride.

There is also struts from Monroe and Gabriel, neither of which I am really considering at this point.

What I am looking for is something with a more firm ride, FE2 would be acceptable, slightly firmer would be a little better but not a deal breaker. FE1 is not at all what I want and FE5 simply is no longer available anywhere.


After all the looking around, this is what I have found.

TONS of searching and long phone calls has led to *some* information. First off, the customer service at AcDelco is a joke to deal with, they have no more information for you then any parts store counter guy. When I was asking about the other struts for my car the two ladies started getting attitude with me saying they don't and can't recommend modifications, saying that putting OE struts on my car is a modification. I argued with her a bit and got an attitude telling her that it is no more of a modification then putting different tires on my car! She finally gave me their tech number and after speaking with him I finally got some information.

The AcDelco 506-254 / 22064781 listed as OE replacement for FE1, FE2, and FE5 will be a hodge podge mix of the three as we have suspected, however he says that it will be geared more toward the firmer side as they don't mind improving ride and handling, but don't want to take away.

The AcDelco 503-589 / 19172172 while listed as OE on GM sites is just an aftermarket unit and the tech said this strut will be rougly 10% stiffer then the 506-254.

I also chatted with customer service at Arnott about their struts and shocks, they asked and confirmed with their tech that the Arnott components will be geared more towards a soft comfortable ride. As for KYB, I sent them an email inquiring about their struts as I also found another part number for them on the Advance Auto website, though I suspect that is the same strut just packaged for them under their own part number but still KYB branded.

I found two part numbers for KYB struts on the advance auto website, i emailed KYB to ask about them, here is their reply.

"The first number isn’t a KYB part number. As for the 335037, it will be 10%-15% firmer than the OEM base model. Hope this info helps."

So my guess would be the KYB would be around FE2.

So, all said and done, this is my findings / thoughts of the above struts compared to each other.
The Arnott setup would be softer, likely comparable to FE1.
AcDelco 506-524 sounds like it would fall between FE1 and FE2
KYB seems like it would fall around FE2
AcDelco 503-589 looks to fall between FE2 and FE5.

I ordered the 503-589 and will review them soon.

Keep in mind that this is not an *as tested* observation, simply a comparison of what I have found and heard from the manufacturers.

[94SilverSSEi]

Can't speak personally about the 00+. But we have KYB's on the 97. And had Sensatracs on our 1996. The KYB's seems to be a little softer/smoother ride vs the Sensatracs. And both were 1000x better than the 230k struts that were on the car.

[Archon]

When my spring broke last year, I decided to also replace the struts. I used the KYB as I've been happy with the quality of the Sensatracs. The ride quality didn't seem up to what I had been used to from Monroe, and they're noisier. I also replaced the mounts with the mount listed in this thread. I've been very happy with the results.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 80110.html

[crash93ssei]

TONS of searching and long phone calls has led to *some* information. First off, the customer service at AcDelco is a joke to deal with, they have no more information for you then any parts store counter guy. When I was asking about the other struts for my car the two ladies started getting attitude with me saying they don't and can't recommend modifications, saying that putting OE struts on my car is a modification. I argued with her a bit and got an attitude telling her that it is no more of a modification then putting different tires on my car! She finally gave me their tech number and after speaking with him I finally got some information.

The AcDelco 506-254 / 22064781 listed as OE replacement for FE1, FE2, and FE5 will be a hodge podge mix of the three as we have suspected, however he says that it will be geared more toward the firmer side as they don't mind improving ride and handling, but don't want to take away.

The AcDelco 503-589 / 19172172 while listed as OE on GM sites is just an aftermarket unit and the tech said this strut will be rougly 10% stiffer then the 506-254.


I also chatted with customer service at Arnott about their struts and shocks, they asked and confirmed with their tech that the Arnott components will be geared more towards a soft comfortable ride. As for KYB, I sent them an email inquiring about their struts as I also found another part number for them on the Advance Auto website, though I suspect that is the same strut just packaged for them under their own part number but still KYB branded.

[Abbby]

I know this has been beat to death but is real. If possible use the springs from your vehicle or make darn sure the new ones exactly match your old. I have (2) 2003 SLe's. First one I did not beleive and did a complete swap out. Monroe's I think. Great ride but front end is hgh. 2nd one I reused my springs. Same great ride but the front end height is correct.

[crash93ssei]

I know this has been beat to death but is real. If possible use the springs from your vehicle or make darn sure the new ones exactly match your old. I have (2) 2003 SLe's. First one I did not beleive and did a complete swap out. Monroe's I think. Great ride but front end is hgh. 2nd one I reused my springs. Same great ride but the front end height is correct.

it has been beat to death but is always worth mentioning again. I will also say it again.... for anyone that ever reads this thread, whether you are a member of this forum or just fins this during a Google search, do not use quick struts on these cars! The Monroes for sure and I believe the Gabriels also are known to raise the front end of the car considerably. This is a known problem by Monroe and they have actually stopped recommending the quick struts for our cars. Many parts stores still list them as a compatible part but if you speak with Monroe directly you will find they are no longer listed by them for the 2000 - 2005 Bonneville.

[SurfingBonnedriver]

OK, here are the images of my ride with Gabriel 57051 quick struts.

The front end is roughly an inch to an inch and a quarter higher than the rear, giving a reverse rake on the body.
Rear

front

[nos4blood70]

Swapping the springs off of the old struts onto these should alleviate this problem. But it would be wiser all together to just buy the right replacement strut.

[SurfingBonnedriver]

nos4 - bought the only ones listed on Suspension Unlimited at the time. I disposed of the originals figuring the springs would settle. There were also a couple threads about spring breaking on the GM series of this type. Looked like a universal application, but, live and learn. I will say that Gabriel is working to resolve my issue and is building a second set they will be sending. Oh well, another weekend to install and one more alignment.

[crash93ssei]

New AcDelco 503-589 struts purchased and installed as well as Moog sway bar end links, I also used a set of original FE2 springs and ditched the quick strut springs.

I am amazed at how much better the car rides now, totally night and day difference. Still have to put on my FE5 GXP rear shocks and FE2 rear sway bar.

As it sits right now I am at 29.5" ride height and that still seems to be tall compared to others I have seen though....

[SurfingBonnedriver]

As creepy as it might sound, I've been measuring random Bonnevilles around town, and have found that 28-5/8"-28-3/4 seems around average. Same measurement front and back. We'll see how the replacement struts do for ride height. I provided my VIN to Gabriel and they are working on the issue. At least I am getting decent customer service from them, but a little disappointed that they are solving my problem without resolving what appears to be a design issue.

[nos4blood70]

Bump!

Hey Ryan! How does it sit and ride now after some time?

[crash93ssei]

It rides great, I am very happy with it. It does still seem to sit too high though and I have no idea why, not sure if it is the strut mount or the mounts on the strut different then stock? Aside from that though I love the way it rides now.

[ddalder]

So what I gather from this thread is that Ryan is pleased with the 503-589 in his SSEi. I'm not familiar with the difference in front end weight between the SSEi and the GXP. I know springs of course will play a role here but damping obviously is affected if there is more weight involved. I don't need suspension components right now, but in light of how scarce everything has become I want to act sooner than later (at least have something on the shelf). I've put about $10K into the car over the past year so it seems a little foolish to stop short of these wearable items.

[FiendScurro]

I also put these in and unfortunately I have not seen an improvement other then in cornering. My front end is very bouncy now. To clarify, my front end, although it goes down and comes back up usually without rebounding, moves a greater distance. So I hit a bridge gab or a dip in the road and it goes down far and springs back up and then settles down. exaggerated would be a good term to use.
In light of this however one of my struts has some internal issues making noise when I go over rough road and small bumps so this exaggeration might go away when I warranty the strut.

[SurfingBonnedriver]

OK,three weeks after installing the VIN correct quickstruts from Gabriel. Front end is still at 29 1/4, lower, but not quite there. Shimmy is gone, not sure if the strut height change, the CV axle or the alignment did the job, but at WOT under load and coming off the apex, no shudder in the wheel. Of course, now I have this horrendous front end clunk. It sounds like the new rubber bushings in the upper strut mount grabbing and releasing as the front wheels are turned lock to lock. Any lubricants that can be used until the struts "break in"?