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1998 - 2004 Seville handling modification


JimD

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Owners of 1998 to 2004 Seville models have access to an inexpensive suspension - handling improvement. If you also read the "other" Cadillac board, you might have read about this little modification http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadil...ruts-tower.html .

When I recently ordered my replacement struts, I included the strut tower brace in the shipment. For less than $30, why not?

After a week of driving with new struts PLUS the strut tower brace, I can only say: You want this strut tower brace! My '98 now responds to steering input without a hint of chassis flex or delay. I have another car with the same front suspension ('04 DTS) and low mileage struts without the tower brace for comparison on the same roads, same turns.

Part #25653157.

Jim

Drive your car.

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Owners of 1998 to 2004 Seville models have access to an inexpensive suspension - handling improvement. If you also read the "other" Cadillac board, you might have read about this little modification http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadil...ruts-tower.html .

When I recently ordered my replacement struts, I included the strut tower brace in the shipment. For less than $30, why not?

After a week of driving with new struts PLUS the strut tower brace, I can only say: You want this strut tower brace! My '98 now responds to steering input without a hint of chassis flex or delay. I have another car with the same front suspension ('04 DTS) and low mileage struts without the tower brace for comparison on the same roads, same turns.

Part #25653157.

Hmmmm, My 96 Deville has it but my SLS does not . I'm shocked its so much better with it. I'm glad your happy though ! thanks for sharing !

Michael -

Just a quick question did you change this car from active to passive ?

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Just ordered mine for the '99. I hope it fits, I see it's a special order part, nonrefundable. My STS, though it handles pretty well, has always lacked a little stability when taking a curve at speed. I hope this makes the handling just a little more predictable/precise. Unlike those on the other board who would like to think this will solve front end shimmy at speed, I already know how to fix that. I doubt that a strut tower brace will do anything for that issue.

THANKS JIM!

Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed.

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Do not worry about the fit; it will bolt right on. The top strut mount bolts are torqued to 35 lb ft to save you a look-up.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Do not worry about the fit; it will bolt right on. The top strut mount bolts are torqued to 35 lb ft to save you a look-up.

Thanks again!

Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed.

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Jim, if I missed it I am sorry, but how is your car running with the new struts. Have you driven it enough to get an impression. What are the changes. I will know tomorrow, I am getting mine aligned. My alignment is way off... Then to Costco for a rotate and balance... then to the highway.... Mike

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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As new, Mike; that is the only way to describe the way the front suspension feels now. And I have the '04 for comparison.

I may have said this before, but the old left strut was contributing zero effort to rebound control. Extending and depressing the strut shaft required less effort than pulling a gum drop from a sick child's mouth. The right strut was in slightly better condition.

You have replaced many more pieces on your car. You will feel a major improvement.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Jim, you can not believe how tight the front end is. I am a big guy and its hard to rock the car at the front fenders, amazing. My RF strut mount was damaged, shifted and the rubber at the top by the nut appeared to be enduring impact. I can't wait to do 70 without the moan... Im thinking that I can go with H rated tires now... Will advise in the morning after the alignment.. Before this job, when I hit a bump or expansion joint the cars direction was affected by it... When you say rebound do you mean, the upward motion of the wheel assembly or the downward motion of the wheel assembly? My strut allowed the wheel assembly free upward movement in addition to, free downward movement for the body.

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Just ordered mine for the '99. I hope it fits, I see it's a special order part, nonrefundable. My STS, though it handles pretty well, has always lacked a little stability when taking a curve at speed. I hope this makes the handling just a little more predictable/precise....

What is the verdict??

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Still waiting for it to show up........

(to be continued...)

Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed.

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Still hasn't arrived yet. BUT, while preparing for the job, gathering tools (read: finding my torque wrench) I decided to check just how tight the top strut mount bolts were on my car. To my surprise, some were only about 10-15 ft/lbs! None of them were at 35 lbs. These must have become loose over time due to vibration or something. I didn't check to see if this changed handling yet, but I will before the new brace is installed. Some of you might want to check yours.

Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed.

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Interesting. Do you guys think this is for real or what? Wish BBob was around.

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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Still hasn't arrived yet. BUT, while preparing for the job, gathering tools (read: finding my torque wrench) I decided to check just how tight the top strut mount bolts were on my car. To my surprise, some were only about 10-15 ft/lbs! None of them were at 35 lbs. These must have become loose over time due to vibration or something. I didn't check to see if this changed handling yet, but I will before the new brace is installed. Some of you might want to check yours.

FYI, on the 96, the strut nuts are torqued to 18 ft lbs. While JimD is probably right, check the manual and see if your year is similar to mine

Interesting. Do you guys think this is for real or what? Wish BBob was around.

Think what is for real? Adding a strut tower brace?

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Think what is for real? Adding a strut tower brace?

No No No. The results. The mind is a terrible thing. If your looking for results, you usally find them even though they might not be there. Not to take away from others that have had sucess. I will more than likey do it myself but just woundering.

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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Oh I see what you are saying. I have a strut bar on my 96 Deville. I am actually surprised to see FWD caddys without it.. If you think about it there is no support at the top of the strut towers to prevent motion or bending. Lots of rice burner types stiffen up their cars with strut tower braces and their cars are way lighter and smaller than ours. So logically, I think that putting a strut tower brace on our cars would help to stiffen the front end, whether the difference will be night and day I don't know, but I trust JimD's impressions

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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The strut tower braces went away on the Seville in 1998. All 1997s and prior had them that I've seen. What about 1998-1999 DeVilles, and 1998-2002 Eldorados? Those are on the same E/K chassis...did those model years retain the strut tower brace?

I've never driven with mine removed, but I imagine it makes a difference.

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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Think what is for real? Adding a strut tower brace?

No No No. The results. The mind is a terrible thing. If your looking for results, you usally find them even though they might not be there. Not to take away from others that have had sucess. I will more than likey do it myself but just woundering.

I installed the strut brace on my car, and the positive results are real. Do this test. Take a curve (highway on and off ramps work beautiful for this) until your tires start to squeal. Notice the speed. Buy and install the strut brace. Do the same test, on the same curve, in the same weather conditions. You will notice a faster speed before tire squeal happens. If you do not, let me know, and I'll send you $20 for giving a false testimony. Believe me, it is worth it. It is not dramatic, but I see 5-10 mph faster on most turns. Now I do not drive like this all the time. But when I do, it makes all the difference in the world.

Don

"Modern warriors saddle iron horses of chrome."

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I just got a note from gmpartsdirect, backordered.

Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed.

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Think what is for real? Adding a strut tower brace?

No No No. The results. The mind is a terrible thing. If your looking for results, you usally find them even though they might not be there. Not to take away from others that have had sucess. I will more than likey do it myself but just woundering.

I installed the strut brace on my car, and the positive results are real. Do this test. Take a curve (highway on and off ramps work beautiful for this) until your tires start to squeal. Notice the speed. Buy and install the strut brace. Do the same test, on the same curve, in the same weather conditions. You will notice a faster speed before tire squeal happens. If you do not, let me know, and I'll send you $20 for giving a false testimony. Believe me, it is worth it. It is not dramatic, but I see 5-10 mph faster on most turns. Now I do not drive like this all the time. But when I do, it makes all the difference in the world.

Don

Good enough for me. Will try to locate some this week.

Rick

Does anybody have a photo of these braces installed. Would like to see what they look like.

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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I just got a note from gmpartsdirect, backordered.

I have been thinking about this possibility since the part number hit the web sites. I can picture a GM service parts manager somewhere looking at the inventory numbers and wondering why this part number has shipped "X" times in the past 8 years and suddenly has shipped "X plus 50" times in the past 8 weeks.

Hang in; it will be worth the wait.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Good enough for me. Will try to locate some this week.

Rick

Does anybody have a photo of these braces installed. Would like to see what they look like.

Not sure what you expect to see but here it is...

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Perfect. Thats what I thought. Right across to the other side.

Thanks Jim

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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Think what is for real? Adding a strut tower brace?

No No No. The results. The mind is a terrible thing. If your looking for results, you usally find them even though they might not be there. Not to take away from others that have had sucess. I will more than likey do it myself but just woundering.

I installed the strut brace on my car, and the positive results are real. Do this test. Take a curve (highway on and off ramps work beautiful for this) until your tires start to squeal. Notice the speed. Buy and install the strut brace. Do the same test, on the same curve, in the same weather conditions. You will notice a faster speed before tire squeal happens. If you do not, let me know, and I'll send you $20 for giving a false testimony. Believe me, it is worth it. It is not dramatic, but I see 5-10 mph faster on most turns. Now I do not drive like this all the time. But when I do, it makes all the difference in the world.

Don

Good enough for me. Will try to locate some this week.

Rick

Does anybody have a photo of these braces installed. Would like to see what they look like.

Here is a photo of a strut tower brace on a 96 Deville, Mike

post-2998-1147738142.jpg

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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With so many reporting positive results after this add-on, you have to wonder what Cadillac was thinking when it deleted the brace.

So, I'm wondrun . . . . . .

Regards,

Warren

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With so many reporting positive results after this add-on, you have to wonder what Cadillac was thinking when it deleted the brace.

So, I'm wondrun . . . . . .

Regards,

Warren

Ya. I been woundering to. But I will find out when it is installed. If it was'nt safe....they would'nt make it. Right?

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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