When to replace struts?

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT

Total Bull [censored] for the Ecotec.

Ecotecs "typically" DO NOT have timing chain failures.


When I did some research on the Ecotec, I found that the earliest models did have some timing chain failures, but this was corrected in later models.

I certainly have not heard of any Ecotec timing chain failures on Saabcentral. Now, the 6-CD changer, that's a piece of [censored].

 

[StevieC]

How early? My aunts was a '95.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT

Total Bull [censored] for the Ecotec.

Ecotecs "typically" DO NOT have timing chain failures.


When I did some research on the Ecotec, I found that the earliest models did have some timing chain failures, but this was corrected in later models.

I certainly have not heard of any Ecotec timing chain failures on Saabcentral. Now, the 6-CD changer, that's a piece of [censored].



"some" but not "typically".

The Ecotec is built so solid that many of the factory parts are used in various racing applications, to include drag racing where these engines are putting out well over 1,000 hp.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
How early? My aunts was a '95.


A 95 cavalier wouldn't even have an Ecotec.

 

[Drew99GT]

http://www.sae.org/automag/techbriefs/06-2002/

"(stock timing chain, guides, and hydraulic tensioner)"

 

[StevieC]

I didn't realize you were talking about Eco. Sorry.

 

[Jim74]

I just replaced the rear strut mount on my 2002 Cavalier today, it was a half hour job. It made a lot of racket, apparently this is a common problem. The 2.2 OHV will run until the sun burns out, even a head gasket failure is pretty easy to fix IMO.

 

[doitmyself]

Hey labman,

Since your shocks seem to still have some dampening in them and you are trying to postpone this until better weather, I wonder if you could lightly spray some rubber compatible lube up around the top mount to relieve any binding (whew, long sentence!).

One product might be Super Lube. Just a suggestion. Have someone else bounce it while you look for excessive play/wear near the top.

And, do you still have your 1977 Chevy LUV? Just curious. Mine rusted away MANY years ago.

 

[Drew99GT]

Spraying lube is probably a bad idea. There's a bearing on the top plate filled with grease. If there's any kind of binding, the bearing is bad.

 

[dishdude]

Spraying lube on the bearing will also destroy the rubber mount.

 

[AcuraTech]

Sorry to the OP, I was just having a little bit of fun with it, nothing to be taken seriously! Everyone gets way too defensive around here sometimes.

If some people here think my knowledge of cars isn't all that great, then so be it. On public internet forums, you have to take all so called "expert" advice with a grain of salt. As a mechanic, I see a lot of questionable advice given here, mostly in good faith, but it is what it is.

 

[labman]

I do have the Ecotec, and I do still have the LUV with all its rust. I have noticed about the time I bought it, American made cars quit rusting. My 81 Phoneix didn't have any rust on it at 11 year old.

I went ahead and ordered struts. Rock auto had a clearance for $50 each. With the bearing and boot, it was all still about $80. They wanted $166 for the whole assembly. The bulk of the job is getting the assembly off. Once off, changing the spring never is that much of a job.

 

[AcuraTech]

Originally Posted By: labman


I went ahead and ordered struts. Rock auto had a clearance for $50 each. With the bearing and boot, it was all still about $80. They wanted $166 for the whole assembly.


Wow, that's a steal! I always forget that Acura parts are way overpriced, a set of new OEM struts and strut plate bearings is something like $300. With a MacPherson strut set up, replacing the upper bearing SHOULD result in a little bit easier steering effort, as well.

 

[andyd]

I am not familiar with the Cavalier, but the upper bearings on my BMW 528e responded quite well to being re-packed when I replaced the struts. In between having the assembly apart, I have lubed the bearing in place using a grease needle to pump in chassis lube. Why replace the bearing if it just needs a little grease.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: labman
I went ahead and ordered struts. Rock auto had a clearance for $50 each. With the bearing and boot, it was all still about $80. They wanted $166 for the whole assembly. The bulk of the job is getting the assembly off. Once off, changing the spring never is that much of a job.

What brand of struts did you order? Was it the Monroe Sensa-Trac? Did you order Monroe branded mounts and boots as well?

Are you replacing both the front and rear struts, or just the fronts? I'm interested in a review of the new struts because I am trying to decide between Monroe Sensa-Trac and KYB GR-2 struts for my Saturn.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I'm interested in a review of the new struts because I am trying to decide between Monroe Sensa-Trac and KYB GR-2 struts for my Saturn.


Engineering spec says they are about the same. User feedbacks usually say Sensa-Trac is softer and KYB GR-2 is more "sporty". Durability wise people say KYB last longer.

I have KYB GR-2 on my Corolla for 40k already, seems fine to me.

 

[labman]

Part Number Part Type Price EA Core EA Quantity Total
2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2.2L 134cid L4 FI (4)
KYB SB101 Strut Bellow $ 11.54 $ 0.00 2 $ 23.08
MONROE 71973 Strut Assembly $ 49.89 $ 0.00 2 $ 99.78
SACHS 030688 (030-688) Shock Absorber $ 35.79 $ 0.00 2 $ 71.58
SPICER/RAYBESTOS 5201361 Strut Mount $ 36.79 $ 0.00 2 $ 73.58
Shipping Location 1 Ground $ 13.09
Shipping Location 2 Ground $ 9.84
Shipping Location 3 Ground $ 17.84
Shipping Location 4 Ground $ 12.32
Order Total

The rear is just a shock absorber. Anybody familiar with the Sachs?

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: labman
Anybody familiar with the Sachs?


My car has Boge (=Sachs) shocks. They're very good and still work fine at over 180k miles. They do cost however around $180 a piece, so we are probably not talking about the same quality level. You can't even find a good bicycle shock for under $160.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: labman
Part Number Part Type Price EA Core EA Quantity Total
2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2.2L 134cid L4 FI (4)
KYB SB101 Strut Bellow $ 11.54 $ 0.00 2 $ 23.08
MONROE 71973 Strut Assembly $ 49.89 $ 0.00 2 $ 99.78
SACHS 030688 (030-688) Shock Absorber $ 35.79 $ 0.00 2 $ 71.58
SPICER/RAYBESTOS 5201361 Strut Mount $ 36.79 $ 0.00 2 $ 73.58
Shipping Location 1 Ground $ 13.09
Shipping Location 2 Ground $ 9.84
Shipping Location 3 Ground $ 17.84
Shipping Location 4 Ground $ 12.32
Order Total

The rear is just a shock absorber. Anybody familiar with the Sachs?

You're getting hosed on the shipping costs. RockAuto might not be the best vendor to get your items from in this situation.

I would try to match the brand/model struts on both axles. The Monroes may be valved differently than the Sachs, which could potentially cause handling issues. You don't do struts/shocks very often on a vehicle, so I would spend a few extra bucks and do it correctly.

Rockauto also has a 5% off coupon code. If I'd were you, I would just cancel RockAuto's order and reorder with all KYB components from a different vendor:

According to this thread, you can order over the telephone and they will give you an additional 8% off the entire set of KYB struts, which would bring your total to just over $330. It's worth an additional $15 to have a matching set of strut/shocks, in my opinion.

 

[dishdude]

How did you get your taskbar to look like that?