struts or is it the mounts?

[KenD]

I had my struts replaced with GM passive (same ones as the ones I replaced 5 years ago but new GM #), and have had nothing but problems so far. The old ones were squishy, so I had the local shop (owned by a friend) replace them. I also decided that while they were in there to replace the strut mounts also as they were the original from the car.

So, I get the parts at my GM dealership, hand them over and a few hours later it's done along with new stablizer links and a new alignment. Well, the next day on the way to work I get a groaning, creaking, knocking sound from the left side. Thinking to myself something was amiss, i brought it back to the shop and the mechanic says it's the left strut. So, he takes off both struts and yes, the left strut, when turning the shaft by hand is creaky and not smooth to turn. Back to GM for warranty and I get two new struts. Struts are replaced, alignment done again and all is good for ONE day. Now it's worse than ever. I stop it creaks, I turn the wheel from left to right and it groans and pops fiercely. Whenever I take off from a dead stop it creaks. Left turn creak, right turn creak.....so I take it back again and the mech says it's the strut again and tells me to put my finger on the metal shaft under the boot and he turns the wheel and it seems as it's rubbing inside the shaft. I ask him if it could be the new strut mounts and he says that there was nothing wrong with the mounts as all the mounts do is pivot with the bearing to the strut.

I can't believe that I would get two brand new GM struts that are both defective.

What do you guys think?

Ken

[Regis]

Sheesh Ken, what a mess. Kind of sounds to me like a bad or defective upper strut mount bearing plate. Then again there is a part of me that thinks it could be the steering rack.

[KenD]

strange part is that this all started happening after the first install, otherwise with my old struts and mounts there was no problems at all. I do know that there is some play in my steering linkage as the mech pointed that out to me when it was on the lift, but HOLY SMOKES, what a nightmare. Costs me $200 every time that I get these struts swapped out. I'm tempted to just take it to the dealership and get them to diagnose it and then if it's wrong, it's their problem and i don't have to pay for the R&R anymore, lol.

friggin frack!

[KenD]

I am looking for a link from one of the members here that had a presentation on R&R the front struts. I can't remember who it was (growe maybe) but there was a nice write up and picture of front strut removal I believe.

I might just do this myself and pay the $60 for alignmet, although I don't have a spring compressor.

[BodybyFisher]

Did a Cadillac dealer do this job? The strut, spring and strut mount MUST be in a SPECIFIC alignment, if it is not the strut will bind. The alignment should be in your manual. I have to think that its impossible for two struts to be bad, it must be something with the installation/alignment or your strut mounts are bad. Here is my front strut thread, its a shame that the photos were removed. DO NOT consider breaking down the strut assembly, take it to a front end, alignment or machine shop and let them do it, but be sure that you bring the strut, spring and strut mount alignment details for them to follow, Mike

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...hl=front+struts

[Caddynut]

My old Caddy did the same thing after 2 sets of struts and it ended up being the strut mounts after all. That car would creak REAL bad after going over speed bumps etc.