kens96 Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I know this is off topic but this has been the most reliable forum that i belong to when it comes to informaton. Bought my daughter a 2004 Saturn Vue and it needs front struts. Got the Monroe units for the car and a set of Spicer Top Mount Kits from Rock Auto. Never have done this job before but it looks straight foward. Renting the compressioin tool tonight. What are the "Gotchas and Tricks " to look out for and will I need to align the car after the job. Doesn't look like there are any offset washers or elongated holes for camber adjust so I assume it is just a direct bolt up. As always thanks for the info and help ! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I know this is off topic but this has been the most reliable forum that i belong to when it comes to informaton. Bought my daughter a 2004 Saturn Vue and it needs front struts. Got the Monroe units for the car and a set of Spicer Top Mount Kits from Rock Auto. Never have done this job before but it looks straight foward. Renting the compressioin tool tonight. What are the "Gotchas and Tricks " to look out for and will I need to align the car after the job. Doesn't look like there are any offset washers or elongated holes for camber adjust so I assume it is just a direct bolt up. As always thanks for the info and help ! Ken You must make sure you keep the spring, spring seats and strut mount in proper alignment. If you have a cadillac FSM look at the index marks. Use a white marker to put index marks on all the parts, 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kens96 Posted December 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Thanks Mike. i plan to take pictures and use a grease pencil or china marker to mark things as they come off. Unfortunatley, I don't have an FSM for the Eldorado and the exploded diagrams and instructiosn supplied by Spicere and Monroe are poor. Any thoughts on the alignment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 If you look closely at the seat you may see a v-notch, the spring end, notch and strut mount must be in proper alignment. if you can wait until I get home, the SI might have an exhibit since its a GM car... I will look tonight, 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I have no experience with Saturns. But - my experience with MacPherson struts on 'later model' GM applications might help you some. At the top end (thrust bearing mount), break the nut loose from the strut shaft before you remove the strut. I don't mean remove the nut, just release the torque/tension. At the bottom end, you should find the bolt shaft is splined into the steering knuckle and therefore the bolt will not rotate. Loosen the nut until the end of the nut is flush with the threads at the end of the bolts. Then pound the bolts loose from the steering knuckle. Go very slowly with the spring compressor; you are working with a loaded gun here. I find it usefull to take pictures of the original strut to sping to insulator orientation before removing the spring from the original strut. Know the torque values at the thrust bearing mount and the steering knuckle. And, you should not require an alignment; modern suspensions are a net build fit. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Thanks Mike. i plan to take pictures and use a grease pencil or china marker to mark things as they come off. Unfortunatley, I don't have an FSM for the Eldorado and the exploded diagrams and instructiosn supplied by Spicere and Monroe are poor. Any thoughts on the alignment? I was just suggesting that you look at the FSM so that you could see the kind of reference marks you are looking for. Mark it good. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Here are some notes. saturnvuefrontstrut.pdf Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Here are some notes. That's good Bruce, that talks about the alignment 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kens96 Posted December 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Thanks for the information !!! As usual you guys come through. Have a less sophisticated spring compressor rented and will attempt to do this job tomorrow. Stand by. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Ken this should help a bit, Mike Document ID# 1242580 2004 Saturn VUE - FWD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strut Assembly Replacement Removal Procedure Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. Remove the strut assembly to body fasteners. Remove the wheel and tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels. Remove the brake hose bracket from the strut assembly. Loosen, do not remove the strut to knuckle bolts and nuts. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the strut assembly. Remove the strut to knuckle bolts and nuts. Discard the bolts and nuts. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle. Installation Procedure Notice Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices. Install the Strut assembly to the vehicle. Tighten Tighten the strut to body nuts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft). Tighten the strut to body bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft). Attach the strut to the steering knuckle using new bolts and nuts. Tighten Tighten the bolts and nuts to 180 N·m (133 lb ft). Inspect the stabilizer link seals for damage and replace the link as necessary. Important Do not allow the stabilizer link ball stud to rotate while installing the link nut. Connect the stabilizer link to the strut. Tighten Tighten the nut to 65 N·m (48 lb ft). Install the brake hose bracket to the strut assembly. Tighten Tighten the brake bracket bolt to 15 N·m (11 lb ft). Install the wheel and tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels. Lower the vehicle. Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 BBF, I remain in awe regarding your ability to produce outstanding assistance, complete wtih detailed diagrams, and even parts shopping and shipping at times. Many others on this site (including me) seem to be mere opinions in comparison, (but I certainly don't speak for all). It would seem that GM would be pounding on your door to hande their web-service-site. Nice Work, Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 BBF, I remain in awe regarding your ability to produce outstanding assistance, complete wtih detailed diagrams, and even parts shopping and shipping at times. Many others on this site (including me) seem to be mere opinions in comparison, (but I certainly don't speak for all). It would seem that GM would be pounding on your door to hande their web-service-site. Nice Work, Hey you are embarrising me, hey I just do my part, Bruce posted exactly what Ken needed regarding the strut breakdown. But thanks, its good to know that our efforts are appreciated, Thanks 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kens96 Posted December 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Like I said earlier....the most reliable site for information !!! Mike / Bruce - Where do you find this stuff? These diagrams are exactly what I was looking for. JimD Thanks for the tip on loosing the strut nut before removing the strut from the car. Got the driver side (the bad side that is rattling) loose. Passenger side is giving me trouble but put some PB Blaster onit last night and will try it again later this morning. Found that I could use a 1/2" drive13/16 spark plug socket with a 3/8" drive 10mm socket on an extension inside the plug socket to hold the strut shaft as I loosen the nut. Will keep you posted ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kens96 Posted December 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Well its all back together new struts and strut mount kits. Took about 5 hours with replacing the swaybar bushings. The rattles from the strut mounts are gone ! The driver side strut was for all intensive purposes dead. Once the cylinder was compressed it never would re-extend. The passenger side was okay but on the weak side. Doesn't seem to pull or drift so I think the wheel alignment is okay, but I will take it later in the week for a check. Makes me wonder what replacing the struts on the Eldo will do for handling. They have 144K on them! Might go with Arnott if I get ambitious! Again- Thanks for the help and timely information. Have a great Holiday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Well its all back together new struts and strut mount kits. Took about 5 hours with replacing the swaybar bushings. The rattles from the strut mounts are gone ! The driver side strut was for all intensive purposes dead. Once the cylinder was compressed it never would re-extend. The passenger side was okay but on the weak side. Doesn't seem to pull or drift so I think the wheel alignment is okay, but I will take it later in the week for a check. Makes me wonder what replacing the struts on the Eldo will do for handling. They have 144K on them! Might go with Arnott if I get ambitious! Again- Thanks for the help and timely information. Have a great Holiday Glad you get er done, have a great holiday yourself, good job, 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 ....Doesn't seem to pull or drift so I think the wheel alignment is okay, but I will take it later in the week for a check.....Forget the alignment and spend the money on tools. Your front end geometry is within spec's. Well done, good job. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 Here are some notes. That's good Bruce, that talks about the alignment You know I just looked back and realized that the above post was ambiguous. What I meant by alignment was the alignment of the spring, to strut, to strut mount, and spring seat, NOT the alignment of the front end. It appears to be a little trickier on the Caddy strut. I wanted to make that clear. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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