Putting on New Rear Struts

Jetsitter · #1 04-28-2005, 03:08 AM

I'm getting new struts put on my 98 Intrigue. When they are put on should they be aligned. How do they do this? When I go down the road and hit a bump the car's rear tends to sway sideways a bit. Well this solve this problem and how important is to get them aligned?

BNaylor · #2 04-29-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetsitter

I'm getting new struts put on my 98 Intrigue. When they are put on should they be aligned. How do they do this? When I go down the road and hit a bump the car's rear tends to sway sideways a bit. Well this solve this problem and how important is to get them aligned?

Whenever struts are replaced, it is highly recommended to have an alignment and/or verification performed just for safety, handling and
reduce tire wear. Part of the alignment is checking the tracking of all four wheels.

The toe in/toe out part of the alignment is very seldom off after strut replacement. However, replacement of a strut may affect the camber position, although GM leaves very little adjustment for camber, its mainly what they call slop adjustment. Hope the info helps. Good luck!

lunasea808 · #3 05-05-2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetsitter

I'm getting new struts put on my 98 Intrigue. When they are put on should they be aligned. How do they do this? When I go down the road and hit a bump the car's rear tends to sway sideways a bit. Well this solve this problem and how important is to get them aligned?

I'm having the same problem on my 2000 Intrigue. Jetsitter Let me know how it goes if you do decide to do it if it did solve your problem. Thanks

Renegade2k · #4 05-15-2005, 12:29 AM

Stock Stuts on Intrigues don't have camber adjustments. You have to buy a aftermarket bolt kit to make adjustments. If the holes on the new strut aren't elongated, you probably won't need to align them. Unless you have bent components.

Renegade2k · #5 05-15-2005, 12:30 AM

Stock Stuts on Intrigues don't have camber adjustments. You have to buy a aftermarket bolt kit to make adjustments. If the holes on the new strut aren't elongated, you probably won't need to align them. Unless you have bent components.

BNaylor · #6 05-15-2005, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renegade2k

Stock Stuts on Intrigues don't have camber adjustments. You have to buy a aftermarket bolt kit to make adjustments. If the holes on the new strut aren't elongated, you probably won't need to align them. Unless you have bent components.

I agree with you that there is no camber adjustment per se and that there may be aftermarket eccentric bolts kits available for proper adjustment like if the car was involved in an accident. However, I just pulled out the stock AC Delco front struts I had replaced on a 2002 Olds Intrigue 3.5L and see that the most lower strut mount hole going to the steering knuckle is oval shaped or elongated. The top one is round.

The shop that did the alignment was able to bring the camber which was off a little on the passenger side exactly into spec after the strut swap out by loosening the bolts and moving the lower part of the strut which is consistent with my statement that their is very minor slop adjustment.

lunasea808 · #7 05-22-2005, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

I agree with you that there is no camber adjustment per se and that there may be aftermarket eccentric bolts kits available for proper adjustment like if the car was involved in an accident. However, I just pulled out the stock AC Delco front struts I had replaced on a 2002 Olds Intrigue 3.5L and see that the most lower strut mount hole going to the steering knuckle is oval shaped or elongated. The top one is round.

The shop that did the alignment was able to bring the camber which was off a little on the passenger side exactly into spec after the strut swap out by loosening the bolts and moving the lower part of the strut which is consistent with my statement that their is very minor slop adjustment.

I'm sorry,
What I ment by it was my intrigue's rear end feels like it's bouncing all over the place when I hit a bumb or taking a right turn. Just wanted to know if replacing the strut help or slove his problem.
Thanks

BNaylor · #8 05-22-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunasea808

I'm sorry,
What I ment by it was my intrigue's rear end feels like it's bouncing all over the place when I hit a bumb or taking a right turn. Just wanted to know if replacing the strut help or slove his problem.
Thanks

How many miles are on your Intrigue?

lunasea808 · #9 05-23-2005, 03:43 AM

[quote=bnaylor3400]How many miles are on your Intrigue?[/QUOT

79,152 I think closer two 79,200. Just got the parts list for 98-01 Intrigue. Prices and labour cost.

BNaylor · #10 05-23-2005, 09:25 AM

[quote=lunasea808]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

How many miles are on your Intrigue?[/QUOT

79,152 I think closer two 79,200. Just got the parts list for 98-01 Intrigue. Prices and labour cost.

With that mileage and I'm assuming you still have the original struts I would say yes. We changed our struts at 65K when the front end got all bouncy, harsh over bumps, and feeling every crack in the asphalt.

The new struts made a difference of day n night. Good luck!

lunasea808 · #11 05-29-2005, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

With that mileage and I'm assuming you still have the original struts I would say yes. We changed our struts at 65K when the front end got all bouncy, harsh over bumps, and feeling every crack in the asphalt.

The new struts made a difference of day n night. Good luck!

Did you change all four or just the ones that were bad? Sorry took so long to answer. net got cut off for a while.

lunasea808 · #12 05-29-2005, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunasea808

Did you change all four or just the ones that were bad? Sorry took so long to answer. net got cut off for a while.

Also how much did it cost? Can I do it myself?

BNaylor · #13 05-29-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunasea808

Did you change all four or just the ones that were bad? Sorry took so long to answer. net got cut off for a while.

Changed all four. Did the front first and then the rear. IMO - Yes a DIY'er can do the work. Can be time consuming and you will need to rent or purchase a strut coil spring compressor.

Recommend a Haynes or Chiltons manual if you've never done this type work before and it covers the procedure for an Intrigue adequately which is the same for all GM "W" bodies 1997 and up.

lunasea808 · #14 05-29-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Changed all four. Did the front first and then the rear. IMO - Yes a DIY'er can do the work. Can be time consuming and you will need to rent or purchase a strut coil spring compressor.

Recommend a Haynes or Chiltons manual if you've never done this type work before and it covers the procedure for an Intrigue adequately which is the same for all GM "W" bodies 1997 and up.

Thanks for the info will try to diy next week. let you know how it goes.

slb04786 · #15 06-24-2005, 06:40 PM

I am having the same problem as Lunasea808 and Jetsitter. Hit a crack or bump in the road and the rear goes all over. Feels almost like it is side ways for a second. I picked up a couple of Gabriel struts and a AC clutch bearing to put in this weekend. I hope it fixes it.

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