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Quick Strut Controversy - Solved?

S

stocker

New member
In the past, I've noticed a fair amount of discussion/posts relating to the fact that no one carries quick struts for later generations (06(?)-08) of grand prixs. Through reading many discussions, I'm confident the late model grand prixs can run a quick strut from 1997-2003 because the lower control arm is the same and is connected to the sway bar in the same configuration.

I was just browsing on RockAuto and what do you know, quick struts have finally showed up for the 2008 and they seem to have the same part numbers as the 97-03s. I check ACDelcos for the 2003 and 2008 and they are the same.

Did the industry just figure this out or what? Either way I'm glad to have a type of independent verification finding they are interchangeable. Just in time for my suspension purchases :th_sinister:
 


Damn*t, they are all rears. My mistake. Someone delete this thread to ease my embarrassment :th_sign-oops:
 
You do realize if you were honestly contemplating this.. you would want to realize that the strut connects to the knuckle, not the lower control arm. Beyond that the body is different and maybe the mounting location of the strut mount was different.
 
I did not realize that I did not realize that. :th_scratchhead:

In all seriousness, I'm a bit confused about what you are saying. Are you saying that just because the sway bar connection is similar, I should not assume that the strut connection to the knuckle and lower control are the same between the 2 models?

I find it mind boggling that no one carries front quick struts for the newest gen of grand prixs.
 
If I were you I'd just convert to the 97-03 style sway bar and control arms and run the 97-03 style struts, I'm glad I did.
 


So for my 2008 I purchased lower control arms and quick strut assemblies for a 2003 model grand prix. Based on my research the LCAs and struts are interchangeable but look at the front strut I pulled and the one I ordered from Rockauto:



I mean this thing doesn't even look close. What the f*ck is going on here guys? Even if the spring settled look at how much longer the bottom portion of the strut assembly is. And also the top mount is friggin huge!

What to do guys?!
 
stocker said:
I did not realize that I did not realize that. :th_scratchhead:

In all seriousness, I'm a bit confused about what you are saying. Are you saying that just because the sway bar connection is similar, I should not assume that the strut connection to the knuckle and lower control are the same between the 2 models?

I find it mind boggling that no one carries front quick struts for the newest gen of grand prixs.
Click to expand...

What I was saying.. is your question didn't consider the total length of assembled strut. Meaning if you measured from the strut tower to the connection point at the knuckle. You mentioned the LCA is the same and the knuckle was the same. I saw a potential variable and IIRC I thought using 97-03 struts would lower an 04-08 approximately an inch or less.
 


Scottydoggs said:
lol open all the boxes i guess.
Click to expand...

Yes and look at the part numbers - they are trying to make the easy but I'm not letting them.

BillBoost37 said:
What I was saying.. is your question didn't consider the total length of assembled strut. Meaning if you measured from the strut tower to the connection point at the knuckle. You mentioned the LCA is the same and the knuckle was the same. I saw a potential variable and IIRC I thought using 97-03 struts would lower an 04-08 approximately an inch or less.
Click to expand...

I didn't consider that but I see what you're talking about now. Would there be any significant issues with the small amount of drop you've mentioned given I will be getting an alignment?

Thanks guys!
 
BillBoost37 said:
What I was saying.. is your question didn't consider the total length of assembled strut. Meaning if you measured from the strut tower to the connection point at the knuckle. You mentioned the LCA is the same and the knuckle was the same. I saw a potential variable and IIRC I thought using 97-03 struts would lower an 04-08 approximately an inch or less.
Click to expand...

I run 97-03 KYB quick struts in the front, and in spite of expecting the same thing, my 05 sits at the same height as it did before my front springs started sagging. Can't say I would have minded if it lowered the front though, my back end sits a tad low due to 200 lbs. of audio equipment and it would have made it look a little more uniform.
 
Put the front quick struts in the front along with the LCAs and everything seems ok at this point. I plan to put the rear struts in the rear of the car :cool:
 
I'm pretty sure the 2003 front struts put a slight lift on my 2008 in case anyone runs across this thread in the future. Maybe a 1/2" - 1" of lift is what I would guess.
 


so once the spring relaxes and settles into the rubber isolators youll likely be where you were with your worn out strut.

only the exterior sheetmetal differentiates the g2 and g3 chassis. they didn't change anything with the inner structure to change the suspension design...

no way in hell the bean counters let em change anything more than cosmetic ****...
 
Turbocharged400sbc said:
so once the spring relaxes and settles into the rubber isolators youll likely be where you were with your worn out strut.

only the exterior sheetmetal differentiates the g2 and g3 chassis. they didn't change anything with the inner structure to change the suspension design...

no way in hell the bean counters let em change anything more than cosmetic ****...
Click to expand...

So in like 100,000 miles they'll be all settled in? I'm at probably 500 miles and I still have some minor 4x4 action going on in the front. If they didn't change anything structural how come the part numbers are different? Also, the spring did not look the same as the original.
 
So it looks like about 2.5 years ago and 40k miles I replaced some front end parts on my 2008 base model. Due to the lack of quick-struts available for the 08, I converted to 03 LCAs and front strut assemblies. The only major noticeable difference was a slight lift in the front of the car - maybe 1"+

I am about to replace the steering rack which has developed a clunk. My concern has been that although similar, the 03 parts are not an exact match for the 08. I am debating if I should replace the LCAs and front struts again now that quick struts are available for the 08s. Seems a bit wasteful considering the parts only have 40k on them but now would be the time replace since I'll be pulling a lot of things apart.

No one likes wasting money but I want the car to ride right and I want to get it aligned only once.
 
Are the front struts bad?
If not, why bother? unless you need something to do.
Replacing lca already. Wait for another 50000 or so, give or take a couple thousand.
And replacing a rack because of a clunk?
Intermediate shaft clunk or inner tie rod clunk or outer tie rod clunk......jeepers.
Dude is the rack leaking?

Where is Scotty?
 
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