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I need to replace the rear struts on my Park. They are original, so you can imagine how bad they are. Air compressor circuit has been disabled long ago. The problem is, I can not see the upper strut mounting area. I don’t think you can acces it from the trunk…the rubber cap is there, but you can’t get a socket wrench of the right size down in that hole.
I was told by a guy at the shop I go to, that the upper strut mount has to be taken loose from the bottom (from under the car) To do this, you still seem to be working blind, because you would have to use a long extension to get to the bolts. There is no room up inside of there.
Can anyone tell me whether I need to take the back seat out to gain access? I have also looked carefully in trunk to see if there is some hidden access hole, but I have found none. I would love to have a photo to see what this mount looks like. What an asinine way to attach something.
Any help/suggestions appre….
Doc
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[quote=”Doc Forceps” post=51387]I need to replace the rear struts on my Park. They are original, so you can imagine how bad they are. Air compressor circuit has been disabled long ago. The problem is, I can not see the upper strut mounting area. I don’t think you can acces it from the trunk…the rubber cap is there, but you can’t get a socket wrench of the right size down in that hole.
I was told by a guy at the shop I go to, that the upper strut mount has to be taken loose from the bottom (from under the car) To do this, you still seem to be working blind, because you would have to use a long extension to get to the bolts. There is no room up inside of there.
Can anyone tell me whether I need to take the back seat out to gain access? I have also looked carefully in trunk to see if there is some hidden access hole, but I have found none. I would love to have a photo to see what this mount looks like. What an asinine way to attach something.
Any help/suggestions appre….
Doc[/quote]
You should be able to access the top strut mount from the trunk without removing the rear seat by pulling the trunk side cover. You aren’t looking to undo the center nut, just the two outer ones.
here’s what you’ll need to do:
Remove the appropriate trunk side cover.
Remove the wheel.
Support the control arm with a suitable jack.
Disconnect the Electronic Level Control air tube and separate from the strut air tube, if equipped. If equipped with Computer Command Ride, disconnect the strut electrical connector from the harness.
Disconnect the strut tower mounting nuts, located inside the trunk.
Remove the strut anchor bolts, washers, and nuts from the steering knuckle and bracket.
Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.When you install the replacements,(do both sides please) torque the upper nuts to 35 lb/ft and the knuckle nuts to 140 lb/ft.
Thanks for the info, but…well, I guess I’m blind, because, I thought that same thing…that there must be a side cover in the trunk somewhere that allows you to get in there. When it warms up around here, (2-3 weeks) I’ll go out and take out all the mats and everything in the trunk, and give it a good look-over with a magnifying glass!
Again, many thanks!
Found the access covers in my trunk today. I’m going to try to place a image of a Jpeg I took with my camera. I still didn’t see that there was a cover there until I enlarged the photo I took. The cover plates still have the factory sealant (some sort of “tar like” seam sealer) around the edges, so that confirms to me that the cover access holes have never been removed!
Thanks to Moparfan…for the info which solved a mystery of many years. I had begun to think that the factory just built the car around the struts!
Glad you found the access.here is away to correct
your air suspension problem.http://www.strutmasters.com/Buick-Park-Avenue-Air-Suspension-Rear-Conversion-p/-cad-r2-bp.htm
[quote=”college man” post=51793]Glad you found the access. Here is a way to correct
your air suspension problem.Have already planned to go with their kits. Funny thing is my shop wanted $700 to replace the two struts in the back with, “an airbag replacement strut kit, that will be as close to factory OEM as possible.” Sounds like they were going to replace it with a “Strutmasters” kit ($276 my cost for my kit) and pocket the rest. I know the shop has to make money on the deal but, The way the economy is today, I need to save all I can! I can get the entire 4 wheel kit for $599 and save a hundred dollars + have all four wheels done! :cheer:
[quote=”Doc Forceps” post=51779]…Thanks to Moparfan…for the info which solved a mystery of many years. I had begun to think that the factory just built the car around the struts!….[/quote]
Glad I could help. Just be sure to reseal when you’re done to keep water out.
Yes, Strutmasters kits are a good idea for permanent repair. I’ve been thinking about air bagging my 1st gen. Dakota’s suspension and saw them while doing research.
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