99 Intrigue - 4 struts replaced. Notes from the job
99Intrigue3.5
10-10-2008, 08:07 PM
Here are some notes from my adventures replacing all four struts on the Intrigue. I did it myself in order to save money, I'd think carefully before doing it again. In hindsight, it wasn't too bad.
Simply put, removing them from the vehicle is straightforward; 3 nuts at the top, two at the bottom. Getting to the top nuts for the rear was tough through the trunk, so I pulled the rear seat and package shelf. That gives you easy access from above with an extension. No doubt that's how the factory does it. In all four positions, I pulled the calipers out of the way to get the big bolts out of the knuckle joint. Take precautions to not let the knuckles fall when the strut is pulled, especially the front where you can over-extend the driveshafts. You will also need to be lifting on the knuckles when trying to line up with the new struts.
If you can find complete strut assemblies (with springs), that would save the work of dismantling... I couldn't. I borrowed a spring compressor, but I was nervous about all that stored energy. Search You-tube, and you will see lots of examples of how not to take them apart. For the rear springs, some of the turns have a rubber coating, so the compressor doesn't sit well. You have to compress the springs a lot to get the tension off the seats. The toughest part of the job is the nut on top of the strut shaft. You have to hold the shaft with a key in the end (torx for OEM, hex for the Monroe), while you turn the nut. Before starting the job, spend some time staring at the top of the fronts with the hood up. The nut is buried in a cup so you can't get a wrench on (properly), and if you put a socket on there, how do you hold the end of the shaft? I won't say how I did it, but maybe someone has the 'right' answer. I re-used all the coil-seat parts, there was a bit of rust, but they seemed okay.
Tools: 15mm socket, 21mm reg. & deep sockets, extensions, torque-wrench, T40 & 6mm hex keys, mechanic's wire. (others for brakes and seats).
Simply put, removing them from the vehicle is straightforward; 3 nuts at the top, two at the bottom. Getting to the top nuts for the rear was tough through the trunk, so I pulled the rear seat and package shelf. That gives you easy access from above with an extension. No doubt that's how the factory does it. In all four positions, I pulled the calipers out of the way to get the big bolts out of the knuckle joint. Take precautions to not let the knuckles fall when the strut is pulled, especially the front where you can over-extend the driveshafts. You will also need to be lifting on the knuckles when trying to line up with the new struts.
If you can find complete strut assemblies (with springs), that would save the work of dismantling... I couldn't. I borrowed a spring compressor, but I was nervous about all that stored energy. Search You-tube, and you will see lots of examples of how not to take them apart. For the rear springs, some of the turns have a rubber coating, so the compressor doesn't sit well. You have to compress the springs a lot to get the tension off the seats. The toughest part of the job is the nut on top of the strut shaft. You have to hold the shaft with a key in the end (torx for OEM, hex for the Monroe), while you turn the nut. Before starting the job, spend some time staring at the top of the fronts with the hood up. The nut is buried in a cup so you can't get a wrench on (properly), and if you put a socket on there, how do you hold the end of the shaft? I won't say how I did it, but maybe someone has the 'right' answer. I re-used all the coil-seat parts, there was a bit of rust, but they seemed okay.
Tools: 15mm socket, 21mm reg. & deep sockets, extensions, torque-wrench, T40 & 6mm hex keys, mechanic's wire. (others for brakes and seats).
Jimmy Olsen
10-11-2008, 07:01 AM
How many miles were on your Intrigue?
99Intrigue3.5
10-11-2008, 10:38 AM
235,000km, but its been boucy for a while. Kids liked it, but I figured it wasn't safe or good for the other components.
Rolm
10-11-2008, 07:06 PM
Thanks for the info. If I can't find the 'Quick Struts" I will let a pro do it. There are some things having a pro do it is money well spent.
harmankardon35
10-12-2008, 03:09 AM
surprisingly mine has a good ride, but its noisy as hell...I almost think it is the strut mounts. Very noisy going over bumps. First things first I gotta get at my inner tie rods as the both seem to have a touch of play in them last time I checked. Always something unless its new:frown:
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