jackc

On my 93, I used AC Delco passive replacement struts and shocks. The ride is probably now stiffer than OEM would be, but I'm satisfied overall. The rear shocks installed easily and fit perfectly. For the fronts, the only problem I encountered was the need to enlarge the hole a little for the sway bar link. Wasn't a big deal. One problem with going this route is that it doesn't include a solution to getting the "Service Ride Control" message. I just live with it and one press of the information button makes it go away - at least until the next time you start it. (I did keep the servos out of the old struts and have this plan to one day plug them back in, stuff them up under the car somewhere, and hopefully kill the message - but round-tuits have been hard to come by.....) As far as how to check for faults without tearing it apart, there are the codes that will set when there are problems with the ride control electronics - but to my knowledge, there's nothing that will indicate that a strut has "gone flat". I too had a rattle in the left front and it did go away after I replaced the struts and strut mounts. But others here have had rattles caused by other problems. The biggest symptom I had, though, was that the whole car was "boating" on the highway. The replacements fixed this. My guess would be that at 9 years and 101,000 miles, yours are probably due for replacement. Hope this helps.

93 300 hp - sticker says .050