Rear shocks for 1998 with touring suspension

I'm replacing the rear shocks on my 1998 Park Avenue with the optional touring suspension and auto leveling.

I bought the ACDelco 504-547 shocks which appeared to be the only recommended fitment.

My concern is that they look a lot different than the originals. The upper body of the original is 2.25" in diameter but the 504-547 upper body is 3" in diameter.

Can anyone tell me if these are an acceptable choice for this car and suspension?

Ed

ACDELCO Part # 504547 is the recommended replacement for the 98 PA with ALC option. Click Here (http://info.rockauto.com/ACDelco/Detail.html?AirLift.jpg)for more info.

The ACDELCO Part # 504547 definately does not fit in the upper shock mounts.

The shock mounts contain a solid metal sleeve that the threaded rod on the top end of the shock fits through. The threaded part of the 504547 is too short so I can't even start threading the nut on it. The threaded portion would just match the original in length if it didn't have a square head on the top.

I'm thinking about milling 3/8" off the sleeve.

Should I be looking at a different approach?

Ed

What a bummer! I wonder if ACDELCO is out-sourcing to China like everyone else.:screwy: The upper mounts appear to have plenty of material in the inner sleeve. I don't see how removing 3/8" would make any difference.
http://www.brakeandchassis.com/img/jpg/261/base/p01/2613311_top_rgb.jpg
Bottom View^
http://www.brakeandchassis.com/img/jpg/261/base/p01/2613311_bot_rgb.jpg
Top view^
http://www.brakeandchassis.com/img/jpg/261/base/p01/2613311_ang_rgb.jpg

What a bummer! I wonder if ACDELCO is out-sourcing to China like everyone else.:screwy:
No, not China. My new Delcos are from Venezuela. :eek:

For anyone else changing their shocks, take the two nuts off the upper mounts and you can drop the whole mount assembly while it is still attached to the shock. This beats spending much time in the trunk during 100 degree weather.

After removing the mount from the trunk and selecting the thinest set of washers (the originals as it turned out), I was able to start the nut but was still a little over 1/16 short of having the nut fully threaded on. There might have been enough threads in the nut to hold, or not. I shortened the sleeve enough that a couple of threads now show on the top of the nut.

Ed

I just installed the AC Delco 504-547 rear shocks on my 99 PA and it has totally ruined the "Buick Ride". I should have suspected something was not right when a note in the box that the shocks came in said that these shocks also fit a 3/4 ton pick-up truck. To make the upper stud long enough to thread the nut I drilled out the original washer and it ended lower on the shock and gave me two or three more threads. I am going to try to find a shock that does not destroy my "Buick Ride" and replace these shocks.

Please read our guidelines concerning: Posting in Closed or Outdated Threads (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=635175)

http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/4093/threadclosedga9.gif