struts and mounts

[jshow816]

My Bonneville is creaking and popping when turning slowly into tight parking spaces and such. It is not felt through the steering wheel, sometimes you can feel it through the chassis, but normally it can only be heard. No problem is heard or felt when driving at speed.

Had my buddy get in and recreate the issue while i looked from outside the car and found that the driver side strut mount appears to be binding and causing the spring to make a slight *boing* that can be heard and felt by holding the spring. When looking up the wheel well with a flashlight I can see rubber mount is splitting and appears deteriorated. The creaking noise also seems to be coming from the mount as well, and is easily recreated with the front end raised and engine off and turning the wheels by hand. These are all very subtle noises at the moment but I would like to get it fixed before it gets worse. Does my diagnosis sound right?

During my searches I found that some people were able to alleviate some problems by greasing the strut bearing. Maybe I could try that while I save up some $$ for the struts. If that is a viable option, how is it done?

I looked over the rest of the front end and all bushings, tie rods, sway bar links etc look as good as I can tell. Had the car aligned 2 weeks ago when I had new tires put on and the shop didn't mention anything out of the ordinary, they were able to get everything within specs on the printout.

Wondering if anyone could give me some heads up on the preferred strut and mount or complete assembly that is preferred for these cars. I have done some searching but there is just too much info to dig through. My car does have the FE2 suspension, whatever that entails, and I would like to maintain as close to stock as possible and not mess up the ride height in the front.

Thanks in advance!

[Archon]

The strut bearing is often a problem. After having a few failures of that bearing, I decided to go with the mount listed in this thread:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 80110.html
It is more expensive, but does the job well.

I also went with the KYB GR-2 / Excel-G strut. I've been happy with both the mount and the strut.

[robauto]

you can try spraying silicone onto the strut mount, do not use grease or oil. I used monroe quick mount struts and monroe rear air (stock replacement) shocks on my 03. I have had them a few years and are excellent, car rides like new even a few years later. got them from rock auto.

[Archon]

Many have complained that the quick struts makes the ride height higher, and haven't cared for them. You may want to search on that to see if it would bother you.

[jshow816]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys I'm looking into all these.

Unequal height between the front and back would drive me crazy, and I don't mind reusing my 122k mile springs if it's recommended

[jshow816]

I think I'll go with the KYB GR-2 from Rockauto along with the updated ACDelco Strut Mount, and reuse my current springs. I don't see the part number for the updated mount on Rockauto, where did you get yours, Archon?

Anything else I should pick up for this job?

[Archon]

With some investigation, and help from a local parts store, I found that the MOOG K160213 is the aftermarket part number. I purchased those from Rock Auto.

[jshow816]

Thanks for the help Archon. I attempted to lube the bearing with white lithium spray grease through the slots in the mount just below the cupped washer on the strut tower, and also sprayed the strut mount parts from inside the wheel well. It quieted creaking noises substantially, and stopped about 80% of the binding I had, but I want to get this fixed up for good.

I am getting ready to place this order when I get paid on Friday. I'm going to go ahead and pick up the kyb gr-2 front struts along with the Moog K160213 mount as you've suggested. Do you think I should go ahead and order any other parts for the strut swap, or are the other parts (spring isolators, bellow, and bumper, etc) usually reusable?

[MKMike]

You have to check and see what condition the bellows and bumpers are in.
When I worked in a shop there were plenty of times when the boots were in pieces.
If you don't like the idea of having to possibly do the work again in months or a year or so, then use new ones.

FWIW, I have always wondered if the complaints about ride height were due to a lack of understanding that a brand new spring installed on an older car should raise the height of the vehicle.
Springs do sag over time---just as shocks and struts and tires wear out---this is how springs wear.
They wear faster if the struts or shocks were bad for a while or the car had heavier than average use, such as multiple passengers on a typical drive, driving on roads that are in poor condition or if the car was used for towing.

[nos4blood70]

The aftermarket Monroe replacements have an extra coil in their springs versus stock ones, hence the increased ride height. It's more than a small increase, the car gets a pretty noticeable rearward rake.

[Archon]

I'd suggest getting at least the spring insulators.

[jshow816]

I'd suggest getting at least the spring insulators.

My problem here is Rockauto is not saying this Moog mount will fit the Bonneville, but when I look at the same aftermarket parts for a Lucerne (which Rockauto says the redesigned mount fits) the insulator part numbers are different as well.. Do you know if aftermarket insulators made for the Bonneville will fit the redesigned mount?

Sorry for so many questions, I want to make sure I get the right parts, and there isn't a lot of information available for this redesigned mount..

[Archon]

Yes, the Bonneville spring insulators will fit the mount. If they didn't, the springs wouldn't line up properly with the mount, and you wouldn't be able to use it.

[jshow816]

Yes, the Bonneville spring insulators will fit the mount. If they didn't, the springs wouldn't line up properly with the mount, and you wouldn't be able to use it.

You're right. I was able to find this blowout along with oem part numbers for all corresponding parts for use with the updated mount here -

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly ... lYear=2002.

I was able to cross reference all the oem part numbers from the diagram to Rockauto to find all the aftermarket parts I need to get this job done using the updated Moog mount. I decided to order the Sensa-Trac struts because they should have little softer ride than the KYB's, and I'm looking for the most comfortable ride as possible. Hopefully they won't be too soft and bouncy. Went ahead and ordered some rear shocks as well.

For this job, I ordered:
Mount/Bearing: Moog K160213 x2 - $95.58
Upper Seat/Insulator: Moog K5347 x2 -$32.80
Front Strut: Monroe Sensa-Tracs 71685 x2 - $113.58
Lower Insulator: Moog K5349 x2 - $19.54
Rear Shocks: Monroe MA822 x1 - $51.89

Total: $326.40 shipped after club discount. Not to bad. It might be a couple weeks before I have a chance to do the install due to upcoming vacation, but hopefully it goes smooth and I'll update this post after installation (or if I have problems with installation. )

Thanks again guys.

[Archon]

Looks good. Hope that it all goes smoothly. Just a word of caution, that you may already know. Be very careful while compressing the springs during the strut swap. Serious damage can occur to your surroundings and/or you if things let go.

[jshow816]

Parts are in!! I may or may not attempt to replace them this holiday weekend. We'll see...

I already have a question, what is the best way to line up the new strut mount on the new strut so that when I reinstall the assembly on the car the mounting tabs and bolt holes for the mount line up to the strut tower, and the mounting holes on the strut to knuckle line up as well? I can probably get it pretty close, but I would assume it has to be perfect for everything to line up. Any tricks?

Hope that makes sense..

Also FYI for anyone interested, after placing this order I seen that Monroe is having a 20% off sale if you purchase a 4 shock/strut combo (I just missed it ), as well as Rockauto has the KYB GR-2 struts on sale for $35 each.. missed that sale too..

[MKMike]

Easiest way is to set it to the position of the strut bearing plate and lower mounting holes when you maneuver the old one out.

[Archon]

I agree. Note the position of everything on the old one; mount, spring seats, spring, strut...and take lots of pictures.