GM W-Body Strut Cartridge Replacement

I could be way off, but doesn't it have to be aligned again after the install?

One would assume, given the use of the word "strut."

nate

But since he's installing "cartridges," it doesn't.

Unless he can install them without removing the housings from the spindle, I don't see how not.

nate

W-body front strut cartridges are replaced by removing them through the top strut mount, with wheels on the ground. Anyway, I just looked at the shop manual, and it's clear enough. Doesn't mention anything about putting some oil in the strut housing either to "isolate" the housing from the cartridge or to dissipate heat, as I've read elsewhere. Does mention siphoning the oil out after cartridge removal, but not putting any back in. Lame. Maybe the Monroe cartridge instruction sheet covers that. Here's the procedure

--Vic

I just did the rears on mine.. carefully marked everything etc, and still ended up with a bit of unwanted camber.

e:

Huh. so you don't have to pull the whole assembly out and use spring compressors etc.? You mean GM actually came up with a sensible service-friendly design? I'm impressed. Usually I dread working on a late-model car...

nate

Nope. You don't even have to lift the wheels off the ground.

Sorta/kinda...

The rest of the car leaves plenty to dread.

snippers

If I read your comments right it had the factory cartridge in one side and a replacement Monroe in the other side????? Someone was too lazy to replace them both sometime in the past!!

I dont know if that is what he meant or not. I replaced the cartridges in several family Buicks over the past couple of years, and found that the aftermarket cartridges and the OEM dealership cartridges were essentially identical....("essentially" means there could have been paint variations, or minor things, but even some of the part numbers were similar).

The exact same cartridge that the Buick dealership wanted $129 each for cost me about a hundred bucks less in aftermarket.

Im not trying to start a flame war on this. I know what I found.