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Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:12 am
by DCMain
I thought all Bonneville's had the strut with the pre-loaded coil. I looked at the pictures of the GXP replacement (AC Delco) strut and it was without the coil. Can the replacement be ordered with the coil?
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:32 am
by CMNTMXR57
All struts come just as the "cartridge", meaning the shock alone with mount points attached. You (or the shop you have doing it), then have to remove and replace the spring during strut replacement
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:59 pm
by DCMain
Whats confusing is both Monroe and Moog show struts with the spring pre-loaded. If that's the case, it seems like it would be straight forward for someone with intermediate mechanical skills. If I need to compress the spring into the unit...then it's on to the shop for me.
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:07 pm
by CMNTMXR57
You can rent the spring compression tool from any auto parts store.
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:00 pm
by 00Beast
Everyone complains about the "quick-struts" available for the 00+ Bonneville, so you don't want them anyway.
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 5:22 pm
by DCMain
Thanks for the info gents...
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 2:06 pm
by 1tinindian
Swap your stock springs. I think they are specific to the GXP and the replacements will not be right, and your ride height will to wrong (too high).
I see this problem even on SLE cars. Avoid them at all cost if this means anything to you.
Leon
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 5:22 pm
by crash93ssei
Another nail in the coffin on this one, stay far far away from the quick struts. Just get the strut itself, the mount, and the bearing all individually and install your springs to the new parts. Even if you take the parts to a shop they should be reasonable just to swap the new springs.
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:17 pm
by DCMain
Great feedback and thanks to all...saved me the time and $ from doing it twice.
Re: Front struts on a 2005 GXP
Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 11:37 am
by idensm
A good recommendation is to make sure you mark the strut parts as before disassembly. All parts are clocked to certain positions and its hard to tell post disassembly. The flat of coil spring in the top of the mount should face out in the direction of the strut bracket. Clock the strut bearing support nub the opposite direction towards centerline of car (180 degrees from strut bracket). My strut bearings were toast as were the struts. It took me a try or two to get it just right. I hope this post will help others.