'01 Park Avenue with auto air leveling

[david.anker]

Hate to beat a dead sheep, but after scanning the old entries I'm more confused than when I started.

If I go with the Monroe Sensa-Trac MA822 air shocks for the rears, will the Monroe Sensa-Trac Struts 71664 also keep the auto leveling in the front? Are the struts used with the current air bag &/or coil spring currently on the vehicle?

If they're not air struts, are they compatible with the stock coil spring? Any value to keeping air shocks in the rear if I'm giving it up in the front? Are the shocks/struts compatible with the stock compressor? Is the model AK29 kit required to fit either the shocks or struts with the OEM compressor?

It's a daily commuter beast that I push down the interstate at 80MPH, 80 miles total each day. It's got 200k plus on the odometer. The only load leveling it has to do is when my 250lb azz settles into the drivers seat. I'd just like it to stop hopping all the way across the median when I hit a bump.

[HotZ28]

The MA822 struts include the air bladder and are fully compatible with the springs and compressor (no AK29 kit required) The front struts are not air assist; therefore, they are just a bolt in replacement. Of course, 4-wheel alignment will be required after replacement.

[david.anker]

Update: Purchased and installed Monroe MA822's on the rear last night. Cheaper than I thought they'd be: $68.99 out the door at Advance Auto for a pair w/ military discount. Took an hour for the first one, 15 minutes for the second, another 10 to pull the first one off and install that other washer that I forgot...Doh! Old ones were nasty, pretty sure they were original. Immediate and marked improvement in ride quality, surprising decrease in road noise, expecially on gravel. Now cruises over 4-5 spots on my commute route that used to bottom it out. I dont' think the compressor ran with just me in it, however, I invited a couple wide bodies to lunch just so I could have them sit in back and stress test it. It ran often and long, but not continuously. Have to get some soapy water and test all the air plumbing.

I'm now motivated to do the front, one last question: Monroe makes a strut replacement for $85/side or a "kit" consisting of strut, bearing plate, and coil spring for $202/side. What are the in's and out's of replacing just the strut vice all of the kit components? What else makes sense while I'm in that deep? Tie rod ends? went through the brakes not long ago.

[imidazol97]

[quote=david.anker;6937498] !...another 10 to pull the first one off and install that other washer that I forgot...Doh! QUOTE]

I appreciate that you put in the quip about your mistake. I have done things that many times and had to do the job over. Probably there are others reading who've done the same kind of things!

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by david.anker

Monroe makes a strut replacement for $85/side or a "kit" consisting of strut, bearing plate, and coil spring for $202/side. What are the in's and out's of replacing just the strut vice all of the kit components?

My 03 leSabre got replacement strut, bearing and mount kit, and a bellows kit, but no coil spring. It had 100K mi + on it. You've picked a good replacement strut and shock type in the Monroe SensaTrac. The MA822 seemed a little stiff at first. After about 5000 miles they had broken in.

As for doing the front struts by yours, I would not recommend it. I had a neighbor helping me who works as a truck mechanic and we used another neighbor's garage with a weak air wrench set. Using the loaner clamps to hold the spring to move it from old strut to the new one was tedious. Getting the bearing and bushing on right on the new one took a couple of tries to figure out the fit matching it up to the old one. Getting the strut with the spring already in place would have been an advantage but at an unneeded extra cost.

I have a local mechanic who would have done the work with me supplying the parts. That would have been worth it, although I wouldn't have had them do the alignment because I like my Buick dealer for alignments.

[Tech II]

The difference between the strut and the kit, is plug and play.....

With the kit, you pull the strut assembly out and exchange it for the kit.....it's all together....don't need a spring compressor to remove the coil from the strut.....

[HotZ28]

Quick-Strut Complete Strut Assembly The revolutionary Monroe Quick-Strut unit is the first complete, ready-to-install replacement strut assembly available! Monroe Quick-Strut units include all the components required for strut replacement in a single, fully-assembled unit. They feature pre-assembled replacement bearing plate, upper and lower spring isolators, upper spring seat, coil spring, boot kit, and a premium strut. This breakthrough design saves on installation time by eliminating having to disassemble components and compress the coil spring prior to installation. Each Quick-Strut assembly features application-engineered valving to optimize each vehicle's unique ride and handling characteristics.

• QUICKER - No need to take apart existing strut assembly.
• SAFER - No need to compress coil springs.
• EASIER - No specialized tools needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Un1qWJ118

[david.anker]

Update: Ordered the Monroe quick struts, ball joints, tie rods, tie rod ends, and front and rear sway link/bar bushings from Justsuspension.com. Their schtick seems to be quality parts, cheap, slowly. So far they're right on track with the cheap and slow-$370.00 for all the above parts with free shipping for orders over $100 and a coupon code easily found with a google search. I just received the "Order complete/shipping" email...10 days after I ordered them online. Should take 2 days to get here, according to their website. Overall that's about 2 days longer than their shipping policy stated, give them credit for Vet's day, no big deal. As for quality, the struts are Monroe. Will be interesting to see what the odd's and ends parts are-Moog or Shenghai. Do I need any specialty tools for the ball joints? Pickle fork? I understand I'll be doing a bit of grinding and drilling of hardened rivets if they're original. Also, what should the strut assembly bolts be torqued to? I'm pumped...what could possibly go wrong?!

[HotZ28]

You should try RockAuto Parts Catalog for better price & quicker delivery!