97 pa strut/shock replacement

Gentlemen:

How do you tell if your struts or rear air shocks need replacement. I purchased a 97 pa with 130,000 miles. It seems to ride ok..no excessive bounce, and the rear air shocks hold air well, but the rubber boot on the outside is cracking and weather checked. Is there a measurement of some sort i could use from the bottom of the tire to the top of the fenderwell to check ride height? I hate to replace them if they've been replaced in the past. I don't know the service history of the car...Thanks for any info you can share.

Northstar

Welcome to AF!:iceslolan
I did a Search Forums (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/search.php)for you, using "rear struts" as the key word and found a lot of information. Here is one (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=515078&highlight=rear+struts) that will help. Here are some more (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=1747056). The 1997 & newer, would apply in your case.