Struts

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Post Reply
Pawl883
LE Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:59 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 sle

Struts

Post by Pawl883 »

Has anybody ever used the ACDelco ready struts for a 2004 Bonneville SLE with an fe2 suspension
User avatar
nos4blood70
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 9522
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: Struts

Post by nos4blood70 »

Any strut that is already put together and ready to drop in will make your front ride height way high! Buy the strut and mount separately. Re-use your factory springs. Adds some steps but a shop can probably throw them together for you for very cheap.
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
Image
Pawl883
LE Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:59 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 sle

Re: Struts

Post by Pawl883 »

thank you very much the problem is I already have installed them that ACDelco 930020 ready struts for this car it did raise the height it seems about an inch but I should of realize it because no auto parts stores sold ready struts for this car they will all just a strut and you had to install the spring do you think I could remove the spring and put the factory spring in this strut that I bought
96 SSEi
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Struts

Post by 96 SSEi »

maybe the ride height leveler can be adjusted if its a mere inch

if you buy a cheap spring compressor, it should be no big issue - nuts on strut towers, then connection to the nuckle/control arm - allignment, done
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
wilks
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 4:28 pm
Year and Trim: 2002 se

Re: Struts

Post by wilks »

its the spring on the quick struts thats the problem...raises the front end way too high seems like everything is at its limits if not beyond. You get front end shakes really bad!! It got really bad where i live with snow when cresting a hill at speed front end will pick up even more and will really skate around bad! there is a reason why they dont make the quick struts for these. I put in monroe quick struts on my 02 se and it was horrible. i bought acdelco springs off rockauto and put them side by side and the delco ones are almost 2 inches shorter and that was after i ran the monroes for about 2 years...shake went away at launch and getting up to speed. i have a picture of the two springs but dont know how to insert it for you to see. I used the monroe struts and just changed the springs out not that bad of a job...might need an extra hand when putting them back in to get the top bolts started
96 SSEi
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Struts

Post by 96 SSEi »

YES, the new springs, plus ,the unknown dapning rate of of new struts has thrown off the front end geometry.

I would put the new delco springs on, get alignment and see how close you get to OEM handling.

a scissor jack + stairwell = spring compressor
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
Abbby
SSE Member
SSE Member
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:36 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE 208,000 miles
2003 SLE 196,000 miles

Re: Struts

Post by Abbby »

I have been running Monroe 171685 quick struts on two Bonneville SLE's for over 5 years. Ride height change is not noticeable and car rides like a dream even at 80 mph. $97 on Amazon with free shipping.
Post Reply