Well chevy cant seem to make a strut mount last more than 30k. This is the 4th one Ive had break (2 malibu's, 2 cavaliers). Other times I paid someone to change it. Is it hard to change on my own? Is there a part I can put on that wont be rattling in 30k like a chevy part? Anything else worth changing when its torn apart?
Need a spring compressor, and an impact wrench helps immensely for getting the bolts off and back on.
All in all its not a difficult job, but you need the right tools to do it and some patience.
Also don't take the top bolt off till you have the strut and spring off the car, it'll be much easier to get it out that way.
-Chris
i'd suggest breaking the center bolt loose before jacking up the car. (don't remove it, just break it loose)
the strut shaft tends to spin when you attempt to loosen the nut if weight is off the suspension.
as said above, a spring compressor at the very least. air tools will make the job much easier but aren't necessary.
I remember being told that if you replace just the mount they wear a lot quicker. I have no idea why this is or if this is even true but anyway. I can't really help you any further with installing the mount as you have already been given pretty much all the info you need.
but Another idea would be to look at replacing the whole strut assembly, by looking at your profile im 'assuming' that your suspension is stock. Monroe sell a 'quick strut' which is an assembled strut so there is no need for spring compressors etc. Very easy to fit aslong as you have the correct tools etc but can be a bit pricey for just a worn mount. I know they do it for sunfire's im not sure whether they do it for the cavy but its worth a look if you wanted to consider a complete replacement. You might find you get longer life that way but im not 100% sure.
(99 - Sunfire - Red - 2200)(95 - Cavalier z24 - Purple - 2.3 quad four)
thanks everyone.
looks like I can borrow a spring compressor from auto zone if I dont want to buy one. I have a 6 gallon air compressor. would it be worth buying an impact wrench just for this job? I'd need to buy the sockets then too? not just standard sockets? I put a hellwig sway bar on my truck without it. I have about a 300 piece craftsman socket set with 1/2 inch ratchet. I probably have a 1/2 inch breaker bar around too. And a length of pipe to put on the end. So where do I find instructions to do this job? should I just ask for a strut mount at auto zone or would it be worth getting some kind of aftermarket set (KYB)?
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/spring_compressor.htm
ACDELCO Part # 501352 {#88963954}
MOUNT,FRT SUSP STRUT SUSPENSION MOUNT; 2 DOORS
MOUNT,FRT SUSP STRUT SUSPENSION MOUNT; 4 DOORS
from www.rockauto.com is that the part I need?
blown eco wrote:thanks everyone.
looks like I can borrow a spring compressor from auto zone if I dont want to buy one. I have a 6 gallon air compressor. would it be worth buying an impact wrench just for this job? I'd need to buy the sockets then too? not just standard sockets? I put a hellwig sway bar on my truck without it. I have about a 300 piece craftsman socket set with 1/2 inch ratchet. I probably have a 1/2 inch breaker bar around too. And a length of pipe to put on the end. So where do I find instructions to do this job? should I just ask for a strut mount at auto zone or would it be worth getting some kind of aftermarket set (KYB)?
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/spring_compressor.htm
air compressor is over kill. it will take about 20 mins per side and thats taking your time.
1)loosen top nut before taking the strut out of the car
2) jack car up and remove wheel
3) remove 2 nuts and 1 bolt in the strut tower (10mm i believe or 11mm)
4) remove 2 nuts on the struts. i believe they are 19mm. once they are off, hammer out the bolts
5) remove strut assembly from car.
6) attach spring compressors to the spring (make sure they are as close to 180 degrees apart as you can.
7) tighten spring compressors with socket wrench until the spring is off the mount
8) remove top nut from strut mout and remove mount
9) do everything is reverse order
StrippedCav98 (Now Quotable) wrote:blown eco wrote:thanks everyone.
looks like I can borrow a spring compressor from auto zone if I dont want to buy one. I have a 6 gallon air compressor. would it be worth buying an impact wrench just for this job? I'd need to buy the sockets then too? not just standard sockets? I put a hellwig sway bar on my truck without it. I have about a 300 piece craftsman socket set with 1/2 inch ratchet. I probably have a 1/2 inch breaker bar around too. And a length of pipe to put on the end. So where do I find instructions to do this job? should I just ask for a strut mount at auto zone or would it be worth getting some kind of aftermarket set (KYB)?
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/spring_compressor.htm
air compressor is over kill. it will take about 20 mins per side and thats taking your time.
1)loosen top nut before taking the strut out of the car
2) jack car up and remove wheel
3) remove 2 nuts and 1 bolt in the strut tower (10mm i believe or 11mm)
4) remove 2 nuts on the struts. i believe they are 19mm. once they are off, hammer out the bolts
5) remove strut assembly from car.
6) attach spring compressors to the spring (make sure they are as close to 180 degrees apart as you can.
7) tighten spring compressors with socket wrench until the spring is off the mount
8) remove top nut from strut mout and remove mount
9) do everything is reverse order
Thanks man. You forgot step 10.
10)Drive to chevy dealership and throw old strut mount through window while flipping the warranty department the bird!
34k miles, 3 years and 1 month, broken strut mount, ARRRRGGG
Go for it. Just keep a sharp eye away from the top of the compressed spring, and you should be good to go.
Oh yea, if you replace the front strut mounts (you should), just remember to buy the '99-style. They have replaceable bearings, so next time the mount craps out on you, you can just shell out $12, instead of seventy bucks for the whole mount.
--------------------------------------------------------
2002 Sunfire -->
- Ractive steering wheel
- ASA 17" EM9 + Nexen N5000 215/45/17 (steelies for winter)
- D-Spec Lowering kit @ 1.4" (issues currently
)
- Rockford P250.1 + MTX MZS1004 + Panasonic CQ-C8313U head unit
- Barely legal tint.
GET AN ALIGNMENT AFTERWARDS!!
blown eco wrote:StrippedCav98 (Now Quotable) wrote:blown eco wrote:thanks everyone.
looks like I can borrow a spring compressor from auto zone if I dont want to buy one. I have a 6 gallon air compressor. would it be worth buying an impact wrench just for this job? I'd need to buy the sockets then too? not just standard sockets? I put a hellwig sway bar on my truck without it. I have about a 300 piece craftsman socket set with 1/2 inch ratchet. I probably have a 1/2 inch breaker bar around too. And a length of pipe to put on the end. So where do I find instructions to do this job? should I just ask for a strut mount at auto zone or would it be worth getting some kind of aftermarket set (KYB)?
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/spring_compressor.htm
air compressor is over kill. it will take about 20 mins per side and thats taking your time.
1)loosen top nut before taking the strut out of the car
2) jack car up and remove wheel
3) remove 2 nuts and 1 bolt in the strut tower (10mm i believe or 11mm)
4) remove 2 nuts on the struts. i believe they are 19mm. once they are off, hammer out the bolts
5) remove strut assembly from car.
6) attach spring compressors to the spring (make sure they are as close to 180 degrees apart as you can.
7) tighten spring compressors with socket wrench until the spring is off the mount
8) remove top nut from strut mout and remove mount
9) do everything is reverse order
Thanks man. You forgot step 10.
10)Drive to chevy dealership and throw old strut mount through window while flipping the warranty department the bird!
34k miles, 3 years and 1 month, broken strut mount, ARRRRGGG
LMFAO! My boss actually came into my office to see what was wrong because I was laughing so hard. Thank you, you have just made my day!
You don't need spring compressors when dealing with a front strut on Cavaliers. I changed the P/S one in my car about 3 months ago, I had bought them to use but there's tons of clearance to get the strut into the spring and back on the knuckle without them. $30 horribly spent, I took them back.
Court Rutherford wrote:You don't need spring compressors when dealing with a front strut on Cavaliers. I changed the P/S one in my car about 3 months ago, I had bought them to use but there's tons of clearance to get the strut into the spring and back on the knuckle without them. $30 horribly spent, I took them back.
umm if its stock springs on there then yes you do, thats if you want to do it safely. why buy them when you can rent them?
Just changed mine out this weekend. The "First Style" mounts are more expensive than the "Second Style" mounts. Roughly $60-80 compared to $30-40. So not so sure there is much advantage to have a replaceable bearing. Mine were being replaced not due to bearing failure, but due to actual mount failure so it didn't really matter that I was already using the "First Style" mount. Besides the Monroe mounts have a lifetime warranty so you shouldn't have to pay for anything ever again anyways.
And for the requirement of spring compressors? Without a doubt you will need them. I even have lowering springs and I still needed to use them. I didn't have any air tools, just did it all by hand. Hardest part was getting the spring and the various mounts all back lined up properly.
