Shock and strut advise

This is only my second posting. I have over 110,000 on my silhouette and would like to replace the shocks in the rear. When I look at ordering replacements they say "without self leveling". Any suggestions on a good replacement shock if I have self leveling and how tough a job is it to replace them with the self leveling system.

I probably need to replace the struts in the front also so any recommedations on new struts?

Thanks for any help I can get.

For the rear if you have Load Leveling... I would recommend the Monroe Max Air...

For the front I would recommend Monroe Matic Plus struts..

There is only the one air shock replacement type for the rear as mentioned above; its a drop in replacement and works well.
For the front struts, I used the Napa brand, about $60 each. I would also replace the upper swivel bearing and mount plate. At 110K miles that's bound to be wearing out by now. The version of Napa mount plates the comes with the bearing are $28 bucks while they sell the bearing for $30 seperately.
Also be aware that the load leveling shocks on your model require a slightly differant mount plate for the strut in front than the van without load leveling. Go figure...I looked these plates over and there is a bit of an offset that causes the strut to mount on a slight angle. The correct plate is available from Napa, but the price on just the plate is $128 while the price on the plate with bearing for the non leveling van is $28 as I mentioned.
A bit of work with a dremel tool and you can make the $28 plates work just fine.

John

The version of Napa mount plates the comes with the bearing are $28 bucks while they sell the bearing for $30 seperately.
Also be aware that the load leveling shocks on your model require a slightly differant mount plate for the strut in front than the van without load leveling. Go figure...I looked these plates over and there is a bit of an offset that causes the strut to mount on a slight angle. The correct plate is available from Napa, but the price on just the plate is $128 while the price on the plate with bearing for the non leveling van is $28 as I mentioned.
A bit of work with a dremel tool and you can make the $28 plates work just fine.
John

I had no idea that the front end strut mounts would be different. Thanks for sharing that tip about making the plates work.

Did you indeed find that the struts were bad after removing them - meaning little resistance ? I have about 135k miles now and the front still seems OK to me. However, I know often the springs do a good job of covering up for worn shocks or struts.

(These are on my to do list after I get the leaking intake manifold replaced for the 3rd time :banghead: )

I had no idea that the front end strut mounts would be different. Thanks for sharing that tip about making the plates work.

Did you indeed find that the struts were bad after removing them - meaning little resistance ? I have about 135k miles now and the front still seems OK to me. However, I know often the springs do a good job of covering up for worn shocks or struts.

(These are on my to do list after I get the leaking intake manifold replaced for the 3rd time :banghead: )

My struts were shot--totally. I had 170K at the time of replacement.
After changing it all out, I've not yet had to get the tires realigned, either getting lucky or tires are wearing somewhere I haven't seen yet...