install oil in struts question=-

[jamesmetairie]

i tried to send a private message and was unable,anyway=-
98 lumina with 220,000 miles.
bought A C Delco front strut cartridges.
instructions say to fill with oil.
my mechanic is chevy trained and drives a 97 lumina. he said when he installed his new struts he only needed a small amount of oil to do the job.
years ago there was much discussion on this forum about it.
i searched and can,t find anything new.
did you guys finally agree how much oil?
as always=-
thanks for any advice.

[maxwedge]

How much was in the housing when you took them out?

[jamesmetairie]

the job ain,t been started yet. waiting for my friendly, honest, mobile mechanic to find time.
he said he had a small amount of oil remaining in that strut houising or whatever you call it when he did his own 97 lumina and he believes that,s all you need to have remaining in it.
btw=- he says he didn,t see any improvement in the ride after .

i bought a/c delco and i,m hoping to get a better ride when it,s done.
with 220,000 miles on the car it,s about time.

[maxwedge]

Yeh, those struts must done by now. The oil is to cool the cartridges.

[jamesmetairie]

finally did it !!!
my honest mobile mechanic installed the front strut cartridges.
3 shops quoted 2, 4 and 5 hours labor.
it took my guy 45 minutes.
he said the old one,s with 220,000 miles on em were trash.
a/c delco costs $45. each.

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by jamesmetairie

finally did it !!!
my honest mobile mechanic installed the front strut cartridges.
3 shops quoted 2, 4 and 5 hours labor.
it took my guy 45 minutes.
he said the old one,s with 220,000 miles on em were trash.
a/c delco costs $45. each.

Cool. It would be nice to have a description of how to do that on here somewhere.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by rkvons

Cool. It would be nice to have a description of how to do that on here somewhere.

The strut cartridges on the second gen are a snap, can be done on the ground with hood up. All you need as far as specialty tools is a GM10 strut tool, most parts stores will loan one. Basically just a big weird socket and a hollow extension. Plus a Torx bit for the top of the rod, to hold it still while tightening the nut. But your replacements will probably just have a regular hex head.



Do one side at a time.

Remove the cover plates (three bolts on top), remove the nut from the top of the strut cartridge rod. Bounce the car slightly and the rod will push the rubber mount up outta there, if it doesn't, you can pry it up and out with a couple of screwdrivers. Try not to gouge them if re-using. Better to install new at this time though.

Place the strut tool down over the rod, engage it in the base, and unscrew the cartridge. Pull it up outta there. Notice how bad it smells. Now notice you just dribbled stinky oil all over your fender and shoes when you pulled it out. Make a disgusted face, say some profanities, and throw it in the trash.

Drop the new cartridge in place, screw down with the strut tool, put the mount back over the rod, make sure the little nub on the side of the mount clocks to the divot in the hole, and put your top nut on. The new cartridges are made so that they don't try to expand until you turn the rod a few degrees to unlock it, so don't do that until they are in place. Otherwise, you'll be fighting them as you finish, but it can be done.

Once the top nut is secured, put the plate back on.

Done.

PS, if for some reason, you unlock the strut rod and it gets out of hand extending to the point you can't force it down into place to put the plate back on, remember you can lift that side of the car and the strut will drop down into the hole as you lift. Just one of those little things you learn from doing it wrong ONCE.

[jeffcoslacker]

As far as I remember, you only need enough oil in there to cover the cartridge body. You don't want so much it splashes up on the mount, that'll make it go bad.

You can use 30w oil, Dexron, or even antifreeze. I never figured antifreeze for a good option...would get mixed with any oil and turn into a frothy unholy mess.

[rkvons]

I have a '98 Monte Carlo and have no idea what the state of those front cartridges are. Your description has cleared it up for me. Thanks. I think I can do this.

[jamesmetairie]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

As far as I remember, you only need enough oil in there to cover the cartridge body. You don't want so much it splashes up on the mount, that'll make it go bad.

You can use 30w oil, Dexron, or even antifreeze. I never figured antifreeze for a good option...would get mixed with any oil and turn into a frothy unholy mess.

i sure ain,t a mechanic
but i thank you for the good instructions.

the paper work in the cartridge box said to put in 50 cc,s of oil.
i figure they assume you would clean out the old stuff and put 50 cc,s of fresh in.
some one , some place recommended "hydraulic oil" .
my mechanic didn,t add any. i was surprised because some oil was lost when he pulled it out.
BTW= auto zone loans the neccessary tools.
ask for = "W-Body strut service kit".