93 grand am strut replacement

[whodr1979]

As I started to disassemble my front end to replace the struts I ran into a problem with the lower strut mount bolts that hold the hub assembly on. The nuts came off fine but the bolts wont come out. I've tried a c-clamp but broke it and even tried to hit it with a hammer. Since its my only transportation i had to reassemble and try again at a later time. Now my alignment is screwed up and i need to get it fixed. Does anyone know if theres a specific way to remove the bolts? btw the bolts are offset. any help would be appreciated?

[xeroinfinity]

You did mean the strut to knuckle bolts? take them out one at a time. You should paint around, or scribe around the bolt heads so when you put it back together you will just need to line them up so the allignment will be really close. Us a brass punch and hammer them out. you will need a puller for the HUB assembly and a spring compressor. This is a very dagerous job, that spring can take ur head right off or sereously injure someone. Rmember Safty first! Hope this'll help ya out. \,,/

[whodr1979]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

You did mean the strut to knuckle bolts? take them out one at a time. You should paint around, or scribe around the bolt heads so when you put it back together you will just need to line them up so the allignment will be really close. Us a brass punch and hammer them out. you will need a puller for the HUB assembly and a spring compressor. This is a very dagerous job, that spring can take ur head right off or sereously injure someone. Rmember Safty first! Hope this'll help ya out. \,,/

Thanks for the advice. Do you think it would be alittle easier to heat the area around the bolts.. Someone also said to heat it up and bang the bolts out....i dont care if i damage the bolts, i plan on buying new ones tomorrow. Thanks again..

[xeroinfinity]

you could heat them, just watch out for the ABS wires and brake fluid IS FLAMABLE. Just make sure you mark around the bolts good. it'll line up so you can drive it to the allignment shop, because it will need to be alligned sooon. Glad I could help.

[whodr1979]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

you could heat them, just watch out for the ABS wires and brake fluid IS FLAMABLE. Just make sure you mark around the bolts good. it'll line up so you can drive it to the allignment shop, because it will need to be alligned sooon. Glad I could help.

thanks alot for all your advice. the alignment is already screwed i had everything apart yesterday except those two bolts.. now it feels like the wheel is wobbling while driving....i wont let my wife drive the car she freaks out too much...i plan to fix it in the next few days
thanks again

[xeroinfinity]

the wobles probley the nut on the CV axle's not tight. Make sure evrythings torked down properly. It no fun haveing a wheel fall off or fold up on ya. \,,/

[whodr1979]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

the wobles probley the nut on the CV axle's not tight. Make sure evrythings torked down properly. It no fun haveing a wheel fall off or fold up on ya. \,,/

i drove the car alittle while ago...and noticed that it only wobbled when you hit the gas... once you stop accelerating the wobbling stops.

[xeroinfinity]

well thats not good at all. Accually its probley the CV joints not back together right or something making the wobble. I'd try and Not to drive it till its back togther. Remember Saafty First!

[whodr1979]

well im gonna take the wheel off and try to see whats wrong....i called the dealer today about the bolts and low and behold there a special order part. itll probably take a week to get it in

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by whodr1979

well im gonna take the wheel off and try to see whats wrong....i called the dealer today about the bolts and low and behold there a special order part. itll probably take a week to get it in

Special order. LMAo! thats why I said use a brass punch so u can reuse them. What they cost? Over $5 each? i bet its close to that, they are Hardend steel and the nuts should be too. Glad to help \,,/

[whodr1979]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Special order. LMAo! thats why I said use a brass punch so u can reuse them. What they cost? Over $5 each? i bet its close to that, they are Hardend steel and the nuts should be too. Glad to help \,,/

well yeah the bolts were 4.09 ea. but im dont think they come with the nuts. i jacked the car up today, and found out why it feels like the wheel is wobley, the bushing on the tie rod end is busted. so the whole strut tower moves alittle bit. probably not a good thing. do you think i should replace both sides or just the one that is busted? im probably gonna try to do the job tomorrow if i have enough time.....how long would you say it takes to replace the struts with the complications im having?

[xeroinfinity]

i would replace both at the same time. And if you havent done this before, its going to take a while, i would plan a day. I probley could do it in a couple hours, but i've done it before and i have a lift. so things can just hang down and the springs arent under much tension.
Are using some sort of manual to do this or are u just taking it apart? everything needs to be tightend to the proper tork-spec. or stuff will rattle loose. Just take ur time and make sure those springs dont get away from ya.

[whodr1979]

thanks alot...i have a printout from mitchell online....it has great step by step instructions, diagrams and torque specs. thanks for all your help.. ill let you know how it turns out

[Steve Y]

Whodr1979,

Could you post the web address for the strut installation? We have to replace struts on a 95 Grand AM and we want to see the instructions to figure out if we are up to the task. Thanks Steve Y

[whodr1979]

Originally Posted by Steve Y

Whodr1979,

Could you post the web address for the strut installation? We have to replace struts on a 95 Grand AM and we want to see the instructions to figure out if we are up to the task. Thanks Steve Y

i actually got it from a friend of mine....im not sure how he got it. he gave me a printout. it doesnt have a link on it