Really learning alot, i have an 03 park ave ultra that has 320K on it and all these components are needing to be replaced, changed wheel bearing, brakes, tie rods so far, Thanks❤
Very informative and to the point. No BS. I have a park ave and try and do all the work myself and this is an excellent how to video! Thanks for posting.
I built these cars in Orion, Michigan. To install struts and / or the tire and wheel assembly without a torque wrench is a BIG No-No ! In fact, An Impact wrench was illegal to have in the plant in order to be ISO Certified. Just sayin.
The springs looked okay, so I replaced just the struts. All went okay til I took a gentle test drive and noticed the hood bouncing. The Monroe strut piston rods push up too far! I've contacted rockauto to see what my best option is. I have to put the old worn out struts back on now - at least they won't punch through or knock my hood loose!
Great video ! My only question is to ask why you don't torque the three strut bearing bolts or the two bolts that secure the strut to the steering knuckle ?
One of the best cars out there as far as reliablity and they ride very well on the highway. Can't beat the Buick 3.8L. Mine was totalled about 6 months ago... someone ran a stop sign and hit me right in the drivers side front door. Drove me into another car and totalled it. Hated to see it go. was a great car.
Excellent information. Unfortunately I have the odd strut assembly for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue and there are no quick struts. You have to pull it apart and replace the parts by hand.
Would bad struts give me a vibration at higher speeds? 50-70 mph.... I'm thinking either axles or struts. Vibration isn't bad but it starts right at 50 mph. Wheels have been balanced 3 times, alignment done and rechecked. Also, installing quick struts make car sit way higher in the front, true? I'm thinking of getting the quick struts but reusing the original springs. Love all your vids! Well explained! Thanks!
I've got a 97 Buick Park Anenue I need to do this to, Can't find any quick struts for it so I had to just by the struts, hopefully the springs will still be strong enough, it rides like a boat now.
So i put struts on my 97 riviera and the alignment is so far off i wont drive it around the block! Not sure what if anything i did wrong. Maybe i got the wrong struts but i doubt it. This ever happen to anyone?
I have a 97 with 344k on the clock can you link where you got the quick struts. Mine are factory checked numbers on tube and it's in very dire need to replace.
The problem I'm having . Is the three top bolts keep coming loose . I put Loctite on them . But if you hit a bump hard bump and break it loose . When that happens it makes noise when you turn and you lose ride ability any suggestions>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Glad to hear it. I think I'll try them out. I've seen AC Delco Quick Struts also that I wanted to try just because they're "OEM", but who knows what that even means anymore
@@Tim.McElheny That's true... There's Ac Delco and Ac Delco Professional... they're not the same.... There are differences between them, but I've had pretty good luck with the Monroe... usually buy the mid-level line, not the cheapest... Unless you're looking for a performance strut where you would just buy the strut and re-use the coil..... would be a waste of money on this vehicle.. not exactly a performance vehicle
I have a 95 park avenue and need both struts replaced,rear I think,I’m not a mechanic,but the dude at the shop says it’ll cost me about $1100.00,,does that sound right? I just found out a few minutes ago and haven’t had time to check with anyone else and thought I’d see what I could find on here too, thanks
It's a Astro 40SL... You can get it various places online... It's a great light. Harbor freight has a similiar light www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html , but I don't have that light so I can't speak to how good/bad it is..
Just replaced my 1993 PA Ultra. No air tools. So, it took me 3 like hours! LOL Whomever changed these before used anti sieze on one side but not the other so it was a pain breaking the two bolts- nuts on one side. Putting the bolts back into the holes, lining it up was a pain in the neck. Yes I threw the alignment way OUT of wack. Hope I did not damage something? Will get it aligned after I do the rear. The car runs a lot smoother. The old units have about 90000 miles.👿
@@CharlesAndCars Okay, I expected to put more onto it anyway. I just hoped this would be enough for now. Thanks for the reply, and all of the helpful videos.
I think they were moog struts... www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,2001,park+avenue,3.8l+v6,1371091,suspension,strut+/+coil+spring+/+mount+assembly,15174
I've heard so often that the frt. of car sits up to 3 inches higher after you use quick struts. Is this really true? Can I reuse JUST my original springs so it will retain my level ride height that I now have? I don't think my struts are too bad yet as if you push on frt of car up and down, it only bounces MAYBE 1 1/2 times and settles. I've commented to you before about a vibration from 50mph on up and replaced everything but the struts and axles. Doing control arms and tie rod ends tomorrow. Could struts give a vibration like I have? When I pull in the driveway, the struts, I think, do squeak a bit. Car has 117,000 miles and they look like the original struts. Going broke and crazy! I love your channel and your tech skills! Thanks Charles!
I've never had that problem with quick struts. The overall height would be exactly the same as the original strut. It's possible that the coils over time have lost some height because they're worn out. Bouncing the front end with struts really isn't a good test. They generally don't bounce like shocks even when they're worn.
@@CharlesAndCars thanks for the video, I just did both of the struts on my wifes 02 regal, not bad at all, now to the oil pressure sending unit which looks almost impossible to get at
Really learning alot, i have an 03 park ave ultra that has 320K on it and all these components are needing to be replaced, changed wheel bearing, brakes, tie rods so far, Thanks❤
Thanks again Charles! Just did the struts, rear air shocks and the rear trailing links today. Saved a couple grand, thank you for the videos.
Thank you Charles. Just did mine one both sides, took an hour and 20 minutes with hand tools! Thanks you are very appreciated.
Glad it helped
Very informative and to the point. No BS. I have a park ave and try and do all the work myself and this is an excellent how to video! Thanks for posting.
You very welcome !
Great video. Do a lot of my own work, but always apprehensive about doing struts. Looks easy. Doing later today.
I built these cars in Orion, Michigan. To install struts and / or the tire and wheel assembly without a torque wrench is a BIG No-No ! In fact, An Impact wrench was illegal to have in the plant in order to be ISO Certified. Just sayin.
The springs looked okay, so I replaced just the struts. All went okay til I took a gentle test drive and noticed the hood bouncing. The Monroe strut piston rods push up too far! I've contacted rockauto to see what my best option is. I have to put the old worn out struts back on now - at least they won't punch through or knock my hood loose!
Great video ! My only question is to ask why you don't torque the three strut bearing bolts or the two bolts that secure the strut to the steering knuckle ?
Thanks a bunch, very helpful. I did my cv axles last week and will do struts next weekend on my oldsmobile intrigue.
Great job on the video. My wife loves her 1999 Park Ave Ultra, 105.000 miles and won't give it up..
One of the best cars out there as far as reliablity and they ride very well on the highway. Can't beat the Buick 3.8L. Mine was totalled about 6 months ago... someone ran a stop sign and hit me right in the drivers side front door. Drove me into another car and totalled it. Hated to see it go. was a great car.
Excellent information. Unfortunately I have the odd strut assembly for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue and there are no quick struts. You have to pull it apart and replace the parts by hand.
Add 4 hours to the job if you live in the rust belt.
I tried my best but I can not get the bolt holes to line up like you did @ 7 minutes. It's such a shame! You did this job masterfully!
Having a tapered punch can help with that... you get better with the more that you do... You can get it.
@@CharlesAndCars Thx for the suggestion! I jacked up the other side of the park ave. I think I can get it now.
Would bad struts give me a vibration at higher speeds? 50-70 mph.... I'm thinking either axles or struts. Vibration isn't bad but it starts right at 50 mph. Wheels have been balanced 3 times, alignment done and rechecked. Also, installing quick struts make car sit way higher in the front, true? I'm thinking of getting the quick struts but reusing the original springs. Love all your vids! Well explained! Thanks!
It's hard to say. I've seen axles do that before, but other worn parts could cause same symptoms.
@@CharlesAndCars What other parts? Any suggestions would be appreciated. It's driving me nuts.
It could be many things in the suspension... Also could get vibration from bad motor/transmission mount
Bad motor mounts, worn control arm bushings are a few things to look at. These cars are almost all over 20 years old. Likely they're shot.
Great Video...👍🏿
I've got a 97 Buick Park Anenue I need to do this to, Can't find any quick struts for it so I had to just by the struts, hopefully the springs will still be strong enough, it rides like a boat now.
I’m doing this too in my Buick park ave and I am wearing camos!
Thanks.shot of mark on knuckle would be nice 💯
Everyone thinks LeSabre. 😅 Front wheel bearing 🎉. Not.
Did you unbolt the tie rod end?
Nope
Would I follow the same procedure for a 2005 Park Avenues struts?
Should be basically the same for 2001-2005
@@CharlesAndCars Thnk you man!
So i put struts on my 97 riviera and the alignment is so far off i wont drive it around the block! Not sure what if anything i did wrong. Maybe i got the wrong struts but i doubt it. This ever happen to anyone?
I have a 97 with 344k on the clock can you link where you got the quick struts. Mine are factory checked numbers on tube and it's in very dire need to replace.
I don't see quick struts for the 97... just struts that would need to have the spring compressed and new struts used.
The problem I'm having . Is the three top bolts keep coming loose . I put Loctite on them . But if you hit a bump hard bump and break it loose . When that happens it makes noise when you turn and you lose ride ability any suggestions>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Maybe find nylon lock nuts of the same size and use them so they can't work loose, or "aircraft nuts"?
My car does not have nuts it has bolts three of them
Only thing I could think would be to get three new oem bolts from the dealer and see if that corrects the issue.
Thanks for posting the video! How have they held up since the install?
They've been fine... about 25-30k on them at this point...
Glad to hear it. I think I'll try them out. I've seen AC Delco Quick Struts also that I wanted to try just because they're "OEM", but who knows what that even means anymore
@@Tim.McElheny That's true... There's Ac Delco and Ac Delco Professional... they're not the same.... There are differences between them, but I've had pretty good luck with the Monroe... usually buy the mid-level line, not the cheapest... Unless you're looking for a performance strut where you would just buy the strut and re-use the coil..... would be a waste of money on this vehicle.. not exactly a performance vehicle
Were the lower 24mm bolts original or replacements?
Original
I have a 95 park avenue and need both struts replaced,rear I think,I’m not a mechanic,but the dude at the shop says it’ll cost me about $1100.00,,does that sound right? I just found out a few minutes ago and haven’t had time to check with anyone else and thought I’d see what I could find on here too, thanks
repairpal.com/estimator/buick/park-avenue/suspension-shock-or-strut-replacement-cost
Where did you get that magnetic LED light?
It's a Astro 40SL... You can get it various places online... It's a great light. Harbor freight has a similiar light www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html , but I don't have that light so I can't speak to how good/bad it is..
Great, man. Thank you very much.
glad it helped
Just replaced my 1993 PA Ultra. No air tools. So, it took me 3 like hours! LOL Whomever changed these before used anti sieze on one side but not the other so it was a pain breaking the two bolts- nuts on one side. Putting the bolts back into the holes, lining it up was a pain in the neck. Yes I threw the alignment way OUT of wack. Hope I did not damage something? Will get it aligned after I do the rear. The car runs a lot smoother. The old units have about 90000 miles.👿
Yep, Air tools help a lot with just about anything in the suspension... make it much easier usually.
Why didn’t you use a torque wrench
It was going to the alignment shop so they would have just been loosened up for adjustment and re torqued.
Obviously he is an very good old school mechanic who knows his💩
I had Monroe quick struts put on my 2000 Park Avenue. Now I have 3° positive camber. What went wrong?
Really hard to say... Possibly other issues within the suspension such as ball joint or worn control arms?
@@CharlesAndCars Okay, I expected to put more onto it anyway. I just hoped this would be enough for now. Thanks for the reply, and all of the helpful videos.
Monroe's often have the wrong spring which causes them to sit high
@@GS7093 Yup. I always recommend using stock springs.
@@johnwagner4559 Do you know of anyone that sells stock sprngs for these cars?
Do you have part number or can you tell me where you bought those?
I think they were moog struts...
www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,2001,park+avenue,3.8l+v6,1371091,suspension,strut+/+coil+spring+/+mount+assembly,15174
nicely done video, thanks I need to do mine
I never knew I could just tighten everything to 400lb. I been stressing out with a torque specs and a wrench.
Great Job Thanks
I've heard so often that the frt. of car sits up to 3 inches higher after you use quick struts. Is this really true? Can I reuse JUST my original springs so it will retain my level ride height that I now have? I don't think my struts are too bad yet as if you push on frt of car up and down, it only bounces MAYBE 1 1/2 times and settles. I've commented to you before about a vibration from 50mph on up and replaced everything but the struts and axles. Doing control arms and tie rod ends tomorrow. Could struts give a vibration like I have? When I pull in the driveway, the struts, I think, do squeak a bit. Car has 117,000 miles and they look like the original struts. Going broke and crazy! I love your channel and your tech skills! Thanks Charles!
I've never had that problem with quick struts. The overall height would be exactly the same as the original strut. It's possible that the coils over time have lost some height because they're worn out. Bouncing the front end with struts really isn't a good test. They generally don't bounce like shocks even when they're worn.
Great videos
Thanks !
glad it helped
thats strange,every car that I have ever replaced struts had studs on top not bolts
Yep, I would say 99% have studs, not bolts
@@CharlesAndCars thanks for the video, I just did both of the struts on my wifes 02 regal, not bad at all, now to the oil pressure sending unit which looks almost impossible to get at
not a torque wrench used at all👎