Scotty Posted March 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Ordered the Boston Suspension struts Wednesday at 2 PM and they were delivered today Thursday! WOW.... I had a long drive today and I was thinking. It would be more intelligent to replace the front springs before the rear, replacing the front springs entails removing the strut and getting an alignment, whereas replacing the rear springs is pretty easy, and does not involve removing the struts, just the lower control arm... So I will replace the front springs, then at some point replace the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Scotty, If your rear end is a bit low (I meant the Caddy's actually) for the alignment jig, perhaps you could consider modifying the level sensor a bit to compensate? As you probably know, there was at least one post noting the link adjustment etc if it was replaced. Maybe it could handle a couple of extra bolt-holes for a temp raise? Also, does anyone know about an "offset" value that can be entered into the computer via the diagnostic mode - to temporarily raise the rear end? It might depend if the linkage is a pass/fail sort of linkage as opposed to a variable sensor value. If it is variable, then maybe the adjustment might facilitate the alignment jig and not creaate a problem withe 4-wheel alignment. For really crude fix, why not bypass the leveler and air up the rear shocks manually during the alignment? I suppose we could debate the overall dynamics of the Caddy's suspension geometry and how raising the rear might throw off the alignment, yada yada. But maybe its just not that involved? A Caddy Engineer's comments might be helpful at this point... And yes. Winnemucca has open spaces in abundence and clean air. A certain mountain top is about 100-miles away and I look for it on the ride to work to determine air quality. Try that distance in almost any other part of the USA. A 13-mile ride to work through town is about 15-minutes without trying too hard. That includes a number of lonely miles at WOT - as required for mechanicals or PMA (positive mental attitude). Hey, even within the desolation of the witness protection program, there's always something to look forward to... Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted March 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Forget porn this does it for me! Hub bearing, FPR, green hoses, strut mounts, and thermostat came today, feast your eyes Mike Did this with the Windows Paint program, not bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 OOOOOOHHHHHH, AAAAAAHHHHHHH, Show us more Scotty! I can't get enough clean car parts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted March 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Hey stop oggling my parts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Hey Scotty, What do you expect... With that picture fo your TOOL on your jeans the other day, and now this! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted March 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Stop noticing these things I think Pat is gone lets not delay her departure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2005 My front and rear springs were just delivered, they look nice and stiff.. I also bought new insulators, strut mounts, boston struts, etc. I was at my local tool store yesterday and they have a clamshell strut spring compressor for $99 similar to the one at this link, would you do it? The way I look at it is that if I take it to a machine shop it will cost about $50 or more to have them assemble the struts and I am at their mercy to have them do it right.... why not buy the tool? http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6494.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navion Posted April 22, 2005 Report Share Posted April 22, 2005 Mike, Owatonna Tool makes excellent tools, but unless you are going into the business of changing struts, I would rent a tool from an auto parts store. (Just make sure that it is all there and in good shape before you leave the store with it.) When I changed my struts on my 88 Seville, I went to AutoZone to rent the tool. (They have a no charge policy if you return it.) They handed me one that had obviously seen better days, which I declined. Then they brought out a brand new one, still in it's original box. I think it was $25.00 or so. I told him I would take that one & probably keep it. I did, changed the struts, put it back in it's box, & it has been on the shelf ever since. (Going on 7 years.) I should have returned it & got my money back. By the way, even if you are VERY careful, you will need an alignment right after the strut change. If you live very far from the alignment shop, you are going to scrub your tires some. Of course if you have a caster/camber gage, you can get it pretty close. Britt Britt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 23, 2005 Report Share Posted April 23, 2005 I was at my local tool store yesterday and they have a clamshell strut spring compressor for $99 similar to the one at this link, would you do it? The way I look at it is that if I take it to a machine shop it will cost about $50 or more to have them assemble the struts and I am at their mercy to have them do it right.... why not buy the tool? Scotty, That is a fine looking clamshell spring compressor, but I have to agree with navion... Unless you are going in the strut-replacement business, it doesn't pay to buy one. I use the Auto Zone tool rental/return program quite often, saves a ton of money! Good luck with the strut project, can't wait to hear the results! '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2005 I was at my local tool store yesterday and they have a clamshell strut spring compressor for $99 similar to the one at this link, would you do it? The way I look at it is that if I take it to a machine shop it will cost about $50 or more to have them assemble the struts and I am at their mercy to have them do it right.... why not buy the tool? Scotty, That is a fine looking clamshell spring compressor, but I have to agree with navion... Unless you are going in the strut-replacement business, it doesn't pay to buy one. I use the Auto Zone tool rental/return program quite often, saves a ton of money! Good luck with the strut project, can't wait to hear the results! Thanks Britt and Spruce, I will check out Auto Zone, I can't tell you how many tools I own that I have used ONCE..... I just called my local Auto Zone its a FREE rental! Hard to beat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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