2001 Venture Rt Frt Upper Strut Bearing Seized, How Hard Is It To Replace

[Sparky1349]

Hi Guys,

The right front upper strut bearing has seized on the '01 Venture and I am trying to find out if it is real hard to replace. The driver side was done about 2 years ago and the seized bearing f....d up the spring so it wound up being about $1000 for the spring, strut mount, bearing, alignment, etc... I looked on RockAuto and the upper bearing looks to be less than $50 (ACDELCO Part # 501188 $36.79 + $7 shipping and handling) so I am trying to figure out how hard it is to replace. If I have to pull the strut as an assembly and take it somewhere to have the spring compressed that is probably OK, compressed springs are a little dicey. The other possibility is that I could buy a spring compressor from Harbor Freight for $13, it's manual so it will be a pain but for just a 1 time deal it might be the way to go, although I am thinking about replacing the struts next summer so I will have to take that into consideration.

So I guess I am looking for some guidance how hard is it to get the strut from under the Van?

Thanks for your help!

Sparky

[dewaynep]

It's not hard at all. You take of the 3 nuts that hold the top strut mount to the tower and the 2 bolts/nuts that hold the strut to the steering knuckle. You do have to have the van on a jackstand to let the strut hang free. Also, you have to pull the tire off. To make the job super simple you could buy a quick-strut which is already assembled and ready to install. Heck, in the time it takes you to remove the old one, take it to a shop to remove the spring and re-install it on the new strut you could do both sides with quick struts. By the way, $1000 was WAY overpriced to do one side. As for the alignment they are somewhat unadjustable. They are designed to be simply bolted on and away you go. If the alignment is off (from hitting an obstruction or otherwise bending the suspension) you have to elongate the strut mount holes. A new strut should keep the alignment just fine provided the suspension hasn't already been tweeked.

[Cressidaadr]

Originally Posted by dewaynep

It's not hard at all. You take of the 3 nuts that hold the top strut mount to the tower and the 2 bolts/nuts that hold the strut to the steering knuckle. .

I always appreciate someone offering suggestions/advice but it appears that getting to one or two of the top 3 nuts is going to be extremely difficult. In fact, I have looked and just do not see how you can get all of the 3 top nuts with a normal socket or wrench of any kind. What are you using to get to and loosen that back side nut?

[dewaynep]

Sorry, I wasn't following this thread any longer. The 3 nuts on the drivers side are very easy to get to with either a box end wrench or "gear wrench" ratcheting wrench (a ratchet and socket will work too, you just need a flex-head long bar ratchet). The passenger side is a little more difficult, but not impossible. You first remove the windshield wiper motor and then you will have clear access to the 3 nuts. Compared to other minivans I've worked on these are actually pretty easy to access.

[G0ldRush]

This job takes about 3 hours for sure, I did it on my van and telling you to access the 3 bolts on the top, you will have to remove the black plastic shield all the wiper armature, the wiper motor, wiper washer hose, then you will be able to remove the bolts, for the lower strut bolts, they are big and hard to remove for the hole, I used a 20 pounds sledge hammer and knock a quick bang, dont miss it now you have you r strut out, put it in a vice straight up verticaly, install 2 spring compressor each side of the coil and compress until you feel the coil is moving freely, to remove the center bolt AH another headaches, you will have to use 2 tools an open angle key and a hex key in the center use plenty wd40 remove slowly no rush, always remember what you are doing, remove the upper part and remove that yellow thing call the bearing,if you are able to turn it by hand a bit its probaly reusable and you will have to clean it and grease it here's how:
soak the thing in water with clothe detergent and shake it, for a copuple of minute, wipe it take silicone spray loose nut and apply gentle between the black and the yellow plastic turn it so the penetrating stuff goes inside, you will see the crap go out of it, wipe again and apply some white grease as far as you can in the bearing, reinstall all the processus they,re you go...good luck, mine works like new

[woscarr]

I threw a set of "quick strut kits" on for less than 250, seem to be alright so far year later, and a new set of air shocks on the back.

Before I changed them it was getting pretty noisy on the turns, even some binding.. All good now!

Quick strut a one piece unit from Monroe. Take the off the entire wind shield wiper mechanism and then it's quite easy to do..

Cheers
Wayne.