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List Price: $262.16
Sale Price: $128.82
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By the time you replace the upper mount/pivot and the strut, you will almost spend as much as this quickstrut assembly. Don't waste your time! These assemblies go in so quick and easy, it isn't worth the few dollars you save by buying the seperate parts and reusing your old springs. The hardest part of replacing these is driving out the two main studs/bolts that hold these to the lower spindle. You have to do that anyway even if you only replace the strut. Then there are just three small studs on top to remove/replace nuts on. Your time is worth something, and so are your fingers. I've hear horror stories of guys who didn't safely compress the strut springs and had accidents. I know that you can compress them safely, but why screw with it? Slap these in, wash your hands, go grab the remote, and relax.
Quality is typical of Monroe Excellent.
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I was quoted $800 from a local chain shop to replace the front struts on my 2000 Cadillac Deville. The vehicle had a broken spring, which caused my ride quality to drastically decrease.
I did some research and found the Monroe Quick-Strut to be a common replacement part for my vehicle. I decided to tackle the replacement myself, as I would be able to do the job myself for the cost of parts alone.
To do the replacement, you will need:
Jack stands
Penetrating lubricant (e.g. Pb Blaster)
Breaker bar (or piece of pipe)
Metric wrench set & socket set
5 lb sledgehammer
The jack that comes with the car will be suitable to raise the vehicle, but a hydraulic jack will be faster and more convenient.
Steps in replacement:
1. Raise vehicle and place jack stands underneath the car. On a 2000 Cadillac Deville, the engine cradle is a good place to put the jack stands.
2. Remove wheels
3. Disconnect brake lines from strut assembly (unbolt them, tuck off to the side)
4. Spray the lower strut bolt with penetrating lubricant and let sit for a few hours.
5. Using a breaker bar and wrench, loosen the nut on the lower strut bolt. (The nut is on the side AWAY from the front--the bolt is splined, so if you are torquing the wrong side you won't have ANY give). The breaker bar provides more leverage and makes it easier to loosen the nut.
6. Continue to loosen the nut from the bolt, but do not remove it. Leave the nut about 2-3 threads off of the bolt.
7. Use a 5 lb sledge hammer to hit the nut on the lower strut bolt. By hitting the nut, you will not damage any of the threads on the bolt. It may take a few good whacks until the bolt comes loose.
8. Once the bolt is loose, fully remove the nut, and remove the bolt.
9. Open the car hood. In the back right and left corners, you will see 3 bolts securing the strut in place. Remove all 3 of these.
10. The strut is now free. Carefully remove the old strut (the spring is under high tension and can literally cause damage to the car OR YOU if you are not careful!!!) and set it aside.
11. Remove the black plastic cap from the top of the old strut. This is a dust cover and should be placed on the top of the new strut.
12. Place the new strut in place of the old strut. Install only 1 bolt from the top mount, and do so loosely. This will create some "give" in the strut and allow you to install the lower mounting bolt.
13. Install the lower mounting bolt.
14. Install the remaining 2 bolts from the upper mount, and tighten all 3 bolts completely.
15. Re-attach the brake lines to the strut assembly.
16. Replace wheels.
17. Remove jacks and lower car.
You're now set with new struts. The car will ride higher for awhile but eventually settle in.
Because I had a completely broken strut, I noticed a massive improvement in my ride quality. I am glad to say my car rides like a Cadillac again.
The job took me a few hours to do (I didn't have all the tools with me to begin with, and it took time for the lower bolt to loosen up after being sprayed with penetrating lubricant). It could be done faster if you are more mechanically inclined or have a nicely organized garage. This was the first major work I have performed on my car, and was pleased with how easy and fast the install was.
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These Struts work great and didn't break the bank doing so. Everything you need in one package, do yourself a favor and put these on your car. You will be very happy with the results.
Honest reviews on Monroe 171685 Quick-Strut Complete Strut Assembly
I do all the work I can on my own vehicles. These prices are saving me tons over the local autoparts place. I would love to support the local business but being out of work I need all the help I can get. Thank you Amazon.com for linking me up with this avenue for parts. Even with one order when the invoice was right and the part was wrong in the box, it was a painless process to get it taken care of.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Monroe 171685 Quick-Strut Complete Strut Assembly
I bought these quick struts and I've been back to the shop 5 times with complaints about the rough ride and this started only after installing the quick struts and its not anything else causing the problem so don't be convinced to spend money chasing other problems Monroes ride like a tank go with dealer parts and be through and pleased.
