fivepointohman Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Hello, So I just replaced my balljoints and Tie-rod ends on my 96SLS, Still have some front end noise, so I am figuring the struts are shot. Front end is tight, Alligment came back well too from goodyear. So my question is, who replaced the front and rear struts, and IF i change out the rears will I need to mess with alligment again? I dont believe its necissary as the struts dont have any play in holding on to the hub. Does anyone know the GM part # for the rear struts. I found 5808 online but not sure if that is correct. Any help would be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointohman Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I am actually proud of this find that I just came across. Here is a link to the complete 4 wheel struts and shocks for the 96 Seville and the site also has them for all other cadillac's I am impressed.. http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jking220 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I am actually proud of this find that I just came across. Here is a link to the complete 4 wheel struts and shocks for the 96 Seville and the site also has them for all other cadillac's I am impressed.. http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html I have not used them personally, but others have had good luck with arnott struts. I remember someone saying arnott even replaced a strut after some mounting parts broke. Seems like a good company if you want to go to a passive system. Let us know how you like them. Jonah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeb Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 i have a 96 STS and i assume the struts are physically similar and i know there is no camber bolts on the front strut mounting clamp. if you take out the strut, you will affect the camber. yes you can mark the pieces with a punch or chisel and get it close but i think you will need to have the camber angle checked at a shop. changing the camber will also tweak the toe since moving the strut in/out will change the tierod length. i know this because i did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I am actually proud of this find that I just came across. Here is a link to the complete 4 wheel struts and shocks for the 96 Seville and the site also has them for all other cadillac's I am impressed.. http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html Many members have used those aftermarket struts and have had good results. I am not sure what type of suspension your SLS has, I assume it has active struts. The struts you are looking at are passive struts meaning that you could/might get an error message because your struts are NOT connecting to the ride control system. You will need to ask others what they experienced or call Arnott to see if they are capable of suppressing the ride control message from coming up. 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...
fivepointohman Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I am actually proud of this find that I just came across. Here is a link to the complete 4 wheel struts and shocks for the 96 Seville and the site also has them for all other cadillac's I am impressed.. <a href="http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html" target="_blank">http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html</a> Many members have used those aftermarket struts and have had good results. I am not sure what type of suspension your SLS has, I assume it has active struts. The struts you are looking at are passive struts meaning that you could/might get an error message because your struts are NOT connecting to the ride control system. You will need to ask others what they experienced or call Arnott to see if they are capable of suppressing the ride control message from coming up. From what I was told, these struts are a direct replacement to factories and they are passive but have the electronic leveling sensors to connect back up to the car. I would hope they would make a product that would cause a car to code. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat83 Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I have Arnotts in the back of my '97 Eldo; excellent quality for the price. IMO, you won't find better and I'll be replacing my front struts with Arnotts shortly. New struts, strut mounts, strut bearings, springs alignment - all new when I'm finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I am actually proud of this find that I just came across. Here is a link to the complete 4 wheel struts and shocks for the 96 Seville and the site also has them for all other cadillac's I am impressed.. <a href="http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html" target="_blank">http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_CADIL...d33_gid125.html</a> Many members have used those aftermarket struts and have had good results. I am not sure what type of suspension your SLS has, I assume it has active struts. The struts you are looking at are passive struts meaning that you could/might get an error message because your struts are NOT connecting to the ride control system. You will need to ask others what they experienced or call Arnott to see if they are capable of suppressing the ride control message from coming up. From what I was told, these struts are a direct replacement to factories and they are passive but have the electronic leveling sensors to connect back up to the car. I would hope they would make a product that would cause a car to code. There are 2 components, the ACTIVE STRUT CONTROL and the LEVELING CONTROL. The rear struts / shocks are AIR SHOCKS. The compressor system is independent of the active shock COMPONENT, the leveling system has NOTHING to do with the ACTIVE/PASSIVE action. You are talking about the leveling component and the leveling component will remain unchanged, the compresser is simply filling the AIR SHOCKS with AIR and stopping when the level sensor is at the correct height. The ACTIVE STRUT CONTROL component in your strut has a variable orfice that stiffens up and softens the ride based on road conditons. The ride control system monitors vehicle speed and wheel assembly movement to send a signal to the strut to ride FIRM or SOFT. You WON'T have that component when you install aftermarket passive struts. The struts will be passive will NOT be controlled by the on board ride control system. You MAY get a computer error message because of the PASSIVE struts unless ARNOTT has devised a way to FOOL the on board ride control. I CURRENTLY get a code EVERY time I start my car and THAT may hurt my ability to sell my car. I used Boston Suspension struts and they were GARBAGE with rube goldberg methods of attaching the stabilizer links, if I had a chance to do it over I would have used ARNOTT, or I would have used OEM. Not surprisingly they are out of business. I made a mistake because when I spoke to Arnott over the phone they did not sound competent or knowledgable at the time so I used Boston. Keep in mind that you ARE IN FACT changing your computer controlled ride system to passive and you are LOSING the ACTIVE component of your strut. In my opinion you CAN find better, OEM active struts from GM, and you retain all of the ride control your car came with but they are expensive. The problem is the age of the car and whether or not it is prudent to spend $600 to $800 per active electronic strut from Cadillac, that is what I went through. Arnott is an acceptible substitute but realize that you ARE losing the active ride control and there IS the potential of ride control messages coming up every time you start your car. 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...
johnnydone Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 arnott shocks are custom designed with a resisor attched plug and play 3.5 years later they still ride like new and no error codesa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 arnott shocks are custom designed with a resisor attched plug and play 3.5 years later they still ride like new and no error codesa I wonder if your 97 differs from my 96. I have to contact them to see if they will sell the electronics to me. 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...
fivepointohman Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Bobbyfisher, Thanks for all the great info! I hope you can get yours code free. I called these guys friday, they seem very knowledgable. I'll be doing this strut makeover soon within a few weeks so I will keep you posted on the code situation! Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Bobbyfisher, Thanks for all the great info! I hope you can get yours code free. I called these guys friday, they seem very knowledgable. I'll be doing this strut makeover soon within a few weeks so I will keep you posted on the code situation! Thanks again! Good. Don't attempt swapping the springs yourself unless you have the correct equipment, a good alignment/tire shop can usually swap them over to the new struts for a small charge. Keep in mind that the springs and seats have a SPECIFIC location on the strut. If you don't have a service manual let me know I will post the details so you can provide the shop with the info. 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...
woody Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 As long as you are talking about struts. Will I need to replace the strut mounts, strut bearings when I do the fronts? I assume yes. Where can I purchase these and does anyone have a part number for a 97 STS? I still have a noise on the passenger side front. I can feel the noise if I put my finger on the top of the strut and bounce the car up and down. Woody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 As long as you are talking about struts. Will I need to replace the strut mounts, strut bearings when I do the fronts? I assume yes. Where can I purchase these and does anyone have a part number for a 97 STS? I still have a noise on the passenger side front. I can feel the noise if I put my finger on the top of the strut and bounce the car up and down. Woody The strut bearings are part of the strut mounts and yes you should replace them. I bought mine at www.gmotors.com, they were not cheap, about $80 each side if I recall. Its hard to say what your noise is, internal to the strut or a bad mount. Can't help with part number, but if you write gmotors for a quote they will provide you with a quote. Check rockauto.com also 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...
woody Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Thanks Mike, I just checked Rockauto and they are the same price. Oh did I mention I'm dinning at Ruth's Chris tonight 28oz bone-in ribeye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Thanks Mike, I just checked Rockauto and they are the same price. Oh did I mention I'm dinning at Ruth's Chris tonight 28oz bone-in ribeye Ahh, nice, enjoy, think of me! I think I join you and have an Omaha steak tonight! Have you ever tried Omaha? >> Omaha Steaks! 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...
woody Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Are they that good. If they look like the picture I may have to try them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Are they that good. If they look like the picture I may have to try them Definately try them they are incredible. I actually have one of their retail stores near me, its very convenient, but you will really like how they ship them to you... that is all that I will say.. The hamburgers are amazing also, keep them frozen the pop them on the grill all summer.. 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...
blue_eldo Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 My experiences wil aftermarket passive struts: Boston Suspension - I put a set on a 94 Deville. I liked the ride. It was firm enough for me. I about 9K a clunking noise developed. It took the right front strut off and it was blown. I called Boston Suspension and he told the warantee was void because I did not replace the strut bearings at the time. This was a lie because I actually picked the strust up at his house, and mentioned nothing about strut bearings. My strut bearings were perfect by the way. Strutmasters - I put a set of strutmaster quick struts on my 96 deville. First observation was that the connectors supplied with the struts did not plug and play with my connector in the car. I had to cut the connectors off the old struts and splice the resistors to the old plugs.also the sway bar link attachments were cheezy. Just like Body by Fishers observation with the B.S. struts. I had to add washers to make up for the bushing spacer that the factory strut has. The final results were dissapointing. The ride only firmed up slightly and overall it does not ride as well as a friends 96 Deville with 186K on the original struts! My complaints to Strutmasters were totally ignored. I follwed up with a final email telling then that I would tell the world about the experience. I will try Arrnott's the next time around on my Allante and perhaps Delco on the 02 Deville when the time comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 I CURRENTLY get a code EVERY time I start my car and THAT may hurt my ability to sell my car. Mike, See this information from JimD - I tried it on my '96 SLS that had a bad right rear damper and it worked. I do not get the SERVICE RIDE CONTROL message upon startup. It will sometimes appear on very crappy sections of roads but not very often. The work around for the strut damper valve is a 4.7k Ohm, 1/2 Watt resistor available in a 5 pack from Radio Shack; catalog #271-1124. Substitute one resistor for each damper valve that is not present. A word for future readers regarding the resistor values; the 4.7k Ohm is known to work on '98 to '04 Sevilles without Magnaride struts. Owners of other year models will require different values. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 I CURRENTLY get a code EVERY time I start my car and THAT may hurt my ability to sell my car. Mike, See this information from JimD - I tried it on my '96 SLS that had a bad right rear damper and it worked. I do not get the SERVICE RIDE CONTROL message upon startup. It will sometimes appear on very crappy sections of roads but not very often. The work around for the strut damper valve is a 4.7k Ohm, 1/2 Watt resistor available in a 5 pack from Radio Shack; catalog #271-1124. Substitute one resistor for each damper valve that is not present. A word for future readers regarding the resistor values; the 4.7k Ohm is known to work on '98 to '04 Sevilles without Magnaride struts. Owners of other year models will require different values. Thanks Kevin, I will try this again, I had tried it and STILL got the message, Ill have to focus on it, 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...
KHE Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 I CURRENTLY get a code EVERY time I start my car and THAT may hurt my ability to sell my car. Mike, See this information from JimD - I tried it on my '96 SLS that had a bad right rear damper and it worked. I do not get the SERVICE RIDE CONTROL message upon startup. It will sometimes appear on very crappy sections of roads but not very often. The work around for the strut damper valve is a 4.7k Ohm, 1/2 Watt resistor available in a 5 pack from Radio Shack; catalog #271-1124. Substitute one resistor for each damper valve that is not present. A word for future readers regarding the resistor values; the 4.7k Ohm is known to work on '98 to '04 Sevilles without Magnaride struts. Owners of other year models will require different values. Thanks Kevin, I will try this again, I had tried it and STILL got the message, Ill have to focus on it, Thanks I wonder why it works on my car but not yours since both cars should have the same suspension components. Maybe JimD has a suggestion on what resistance to try next. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Its possibly my fault, I rushed the resistor installation, I believe I used a 4.7 ohm 1/2 but the message kept coming up. I need to get rid of it, and I think I will get some harnesses from the scrap yard and experiment. I wasn't optimistic when I attempted the project, but since you had success, I'll try again. Thank Kevin, that's great. 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...
Texas Jim Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Its possibly my fault, I rushed the resistor installation, ........ I wasn't optimistic when I attempted the project Sometimes we get the EXPECTED RESULT even if that is not the DESIRED RESULT. The mind is a funny thing sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Its possibly my fault, I rushed the resistor installation, I believe I used a 4.7 ohm 1/2 but the message kept coming up. I need to get rid of it, and I think I will get some harnesses from the scrap yard and experiment. I wasn't optimistic when I attempted the project, but since you had success, I'll try again. Thank Kevin, that's great. If you used a 4.7 ohm resistor, that's why it didn't work - you need to use a 4.7 K-ohm (4700 ohm) resistor. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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