I know there have been millions of posts from members on the various aftermarket vendors that sell passive struts (Boston, Strutmasters and Arnott). Most of the issues seem to be with the rears shocks. Most of the posts report that they like the new front struts regardless of which vendor they chose. Right now, Strutmasters is offering a pair of front struts for just over $200. Does anyone have any thougths on Strutmaster front struts? Do either of the other options offer a strut that would be better for one reason or another?

Thank you.

Hi:

I have seen this post sit idle for a while. Look, I have bought 2 kits from Boston. I have to tell you... try them. I like them, despite a few other members that do not like Boston, their feedback is in their favor. It is amazing how little information there is on strutmasters and/or arnott positive or negative.

Go with a winner, go with Boston then post your true feelings after the install. There are 200 and something positive feedbacks on ebay.... not one negative, that has to count for something!!!

There is a member here that claims to be the inventor of Cadillac aftermarket kits, maybe he could sell you one. Ha Ha... Take your chances, I don't know what to tell you. But I am Happy!!

TOM

I can't claim to be the inventor of the resistor, but I can offer this information (some confuse opinions with information):

http://maydog.dyndns.org/www/struts/97_passive_replace.html

I've been running this setup since 2003, its not an aftermarket kit - but actual AC delco OEM replacement parts. You can double check at ACdelco.com or rockauto.com.

That will be $0.00 (MN residents add 7% sales tax), I accept paypal, visa, mastercard, check or cash.

Good luck on your search.

Hi:

What kind of info is that, I don't understand it:bonkers: ? Anyway there are lots of companies that sell aftermarket kits. I am sure you were not the first:worship: as you claim in some of your threads. You would probally be rich now if you were. There is an old saying "if your so smart why arent you rich".:hmm:

TOM

I am sorry if the technical information may be confusing to some. I will condense the important stuff.

1. Struts - FE1 struts used by the 97 Deville and other E bodies will work. There are FE1 struts and FE7 struts available. I chose the FE1 struts
LF #22064723 (acdelco)
RF #22064724 (acdelco)
2. Power resistors - I bought 2, 12 ohm 50 watt power resistors from Digi-Key.
Digi-Key PN #TMC-50-12-ND

Install struts, attach actuator wires to each end of resistor - seal it up and zip tie secure within the vehicle.

I suppose if I wanted to be rich, I wouldn't have publicly posted this information. Instead, I would prey/profit on others ignorance and I would be selling performance IAT chips ($0.01 resistors), bilge pump superchargers, and cadillac suspension bypass ($10 resistor) on ebay. Too many folks believe smart implies rich. Though there may be a little correlation between the two, many marginally intelligent people are wealthy. For example in MN, Randy Moss makes a lot of "Bling" but will never be part of mensa. TV and Movie actors make a lot of money, but are not "smart" in the classical sense. Rich people are rich, primarly because they are motivated to make money. True academics, while they may live comfortably are not going to be showing off much "bling."

Of course I never commented on my financial situation, so unless you work for the IRS and have filed my tax returns - your claims are totally unfounded.

You are right about me not being the first one to "sell" aftermarket kits. I have never claimed to sell kits. In early 2003 when I was looking for an alternative to the expensive replacement struts, there were none. Strutmasters did not even give me the courtsey of a reply to my request. What I am saying is that shortly after my posting of the rediculously easy method to bypass the message folks began selling kits based on "their" intimate and thorough understanding of the suspension systems. In fact is seems like some are marketing this fix to systems that it does not work on. I felt no need to market such as simple thing as a resistor to make money, it seemed wrong. If however, it required an assembly that cannot be acquired out of a parts catalog - then it would be novel and new product worth producing and selling. Reselling a resistor to me just seems like selling a penny for 2 cents.

Hi:

Your ignorance is duly noted, your inability to capitalize on the american dream is also duly noted. Some have it, some don't that is what makes an entrepreneur. You don't have to be angry that your not one:rant2: . There are a lot of people in this country who are, (probally more than we need).

But, I believe they fuel the american economy, I applaud someone who can devise something that helps others out. Your information, is helpfull to a few people, who can understand it. But I find most people don't like working on their cars, and rely on others to figure out what is wrong for them. Most people look under the hood and cringe now days, they can't even find the dipstick :hmm: !! Never mind talking about actuators and resistance or whatever your talking about.

So, I know you may think you are helping people, but in fact your info only confuses us. I am glad I bought a kit from Boston Suspension. I am glad it works, and I am glad I saved a couple of grand.

By the way Maydog I never said you were the first guy that sold after market kits...read the thread again, I never mentioned any ones name!! I said "there is a guy who claims to be the inventor of after market kits."
So, you get an A+ for being the self proclaimed idiot:rolleyes: .


TOM

I know there have been millions of posts from members on the various aftermarket vendors that sell passive struts (Boston, Strutmasters and Arnott). Most of the issues seem to be with the rears shocks. Most of the posts report that they like the new front struts regardless of which vendor they chose. Right now, Strutmasters is offering a pair of front struts for just over $200. Does anyone have any thougths on Strutmaster front struts? Do either of the other options offer a strut that would be better for one reason or another?

Thank you.

Dewitt, sorry about this going off topic. I believe you asked for options, that is what I was trying to suggest. Basically the difference is modified rewelded aftermarket strut or OEM replacement. I believe they will cost about the same - the difference would only be in quality (Small volume special application shop reworked parts Vs. 6 sigma quality control).

I am always open to feedback on the information on my webpage. Yes a small percentage of the population my be confused by the contents, but I like give the average Joe some credit. I suppose I could have just had a webpage that had the strut part numbers and the resistor part number - of course I have had a lot of feedback the people found the supporting information both interesting and useful. If the information is somehow offending - then I apologize, the information was not meant for you. I believe in the educated consumer, what is offensive is Madison Avenue assuming all consumers are too stupid to differentiate facts from glittering generalities. We are trained from birth to just close our eyes and fork over the cash.

I am glad Toofit that you recognise that you do owe me a debt of gratitude in sharing my information so that replacement kits are available. It makes me happy to know that my effort, intelligence and generousity indirectly benefited consumer such as yourself.

Now I have to go back to that box in the alley I live in.

Cheers.

This went off topic on thread #3 posted by you!! So don't appoligize, and act like your sooo as a matter of fact. You got things all backwards only a small population of people would benefit from your mickey mouse fix, meant for 1 particular year car.
I have never seen 1 post from anyone that has tried maydogs bypass yet!! Yet you tell people, try these on other years, when they don't fit other years, what a waste of money!!! All you are doing is confusing the general public, and wasting their money. If they fit earlier years the companies that sell them wouldn't have them broke down like they do, in seperate years. Someone could get hurt by putting these on the wrong year, and you could get sued. Frankly that probally is what you need. My suggestion is buy from a company that has proven results, don't mickey mouse your suspension and take chances. Besides you will have a company backing up their product. I am positive maydog has no liability insurance for his product:tisk: .Maydog believes in saving money, I'm sorry...If I believe in saving someones life!!

TOM

Maydog, just wanted to say don't let toofitt get to you. Sounds like he is the "self proclaimed ignorant one". LOL I remember when I first read that post before there were any after market replacements, I was very appreciative that someone would take the time to document all that info so others could be helped.

Keep up the good work, your not the one that went off topic.

Hey... to each their own!! :lies: Maydog has suggested using his part # on all sorts of differant year cadillacs. Then when he relized his mistake he adds to his website on Feb 12th of this year (yesterday). Whoops!! Then he says it works on 1997 on up, that is not true the 1998 STS 's are completly differant than 1997. Who is confused:confused: .The 1998 does not have a stabilizer bracket on the strut like your 1997. Better put another disclaimer into your website.Your right!! I am sore that you think you are so smart or informed about cadillac suspensions, yet you keep peice mealing information, your going to get someone hurt.
This is Reckless behavior, I don't care about what insiders think :tisk: . I just am trying to protect the normal everyday consumer. Most people don't like working on their cars. Much less trying to peice together something that will cost more than a proven kit supplied right to your door. That is my opinion which I am entitled to.

TOM

Thanks for the support, and no he is not getting to me. I am a little peeved by the fact that he is a fount of misinformation. Clearly he lies, I have pretty good proof of the applications, for example:

http://maydog.dyndns.org/www/struts/Document.rtf

Its kind of funny when he posts looking for information and alternatives to struts (another post) and when they are given they are shot down. Is he that insecure or is it that he is protecting something?

I will approach the safety issue with a logical argument (rather than an emotional one), sorry if this confuses you Toofit. Both the setup I suggest (Delco parts, resistor bypass, 96 on up only) and the setup Toofit prays to each night (Modified aftermarket parts, resistor bypass) are not the original suspension setup. There are two aspects of this electrical, and mechanical. The electrical aspect is the same on both - no difference in safety/quality. The mechanical aspect is much more critical to safety. For simplicity I will use a points scale to somewhat objectively compare pros and cons of the two:

Aftermarket modified strut:

1. Original part not intended for application. They must be taken to a shop modified and rewelded. Operator dependent process. Likely voids original manufacturer warranty (does monroe approve of this process), the part does not even appear like the original it has a uesless extra stabilizer link point to make it work for both left and right. -1 point(mechanical, cosmetic)
2. Original part is already aftermarket. -1 point
3. Small volume of product, how are field reliability issues addressed, recalls?
4. It fits and provides improved damping. +1
5. Bypass effectively eliminates SRC message, 96 up only +1
6. One supplier to purchase from -0

Non electronic Delco strut

1. Part fits without any modification. Mechanical design is compatible with suspension. +1
2. OEM quality, validated for use on Cadillak E/K platform +1
3. Large volume manufacturer ISO certified, quality control, responsible to federal safety standards, recall process +1
4. It fits and provides improved damping
5. Bypass effectively eliminates SRC message +1
6. Can purchase at your choice of suppliers. +1

The above reflects my thought process when choosing. Understand, I am not saying that the aftermarket is particularly bad. The fact is, anything that is made custom from struts to custom cars is going to have inherently lower reliability. You cannot base reliability of a sample size of one, so saying "I have had no problems" while being a good experience for yourself is not the end all word. This same goes for alternators, batteries any other part in or on your vehicle. You take a somewhat larger risk using an aftermarket part. Sometimes it is worth the savings in cost.

Cost being nearly equal, I would choose the less risky part. Speaking of risk what are the risks involved with an aftermarket strut. I can think of two, fluid leakage caused by welds and breakage of the stabilizer link attachment. Leaking fluid will reduce damping over time - that should be pretty noticeable. A broken stabilizer link attachment will affect handling and maybe damage a tire.

OEM struts do have a risk of premature failure as well but you can never get away from that, albiet lower than a reworked setup. Less risky, however, than a reworked setup. I value my and my family's life too much to take unecessary risks.

Tom, didn't you just say this..

"This went off topic on thread #3 posted by you!! So don't appoligize, and act like your sooo as a matter of fact. You got things all backwards only a small population of people would benefit from your mickey mouse fix, meant for 1 particular year car.
I have never seen 1 post from anyone that has tried maydogs bypass yet!! Yet you tell people, try these on other years, when they don't fit other years, what a waste of money!!! All you are doing is confusing the general public, and wasting their money. If they fit earlier years the companies that sell them wouldn't have them broke down like they do, in seperate years. Someone could get hurt by putting these on the wrong year, and you could get sued. Frankly that probally is what you need. My suggestion is buy from a company that has proven results, don't mickey mouse your suspension and take chances. Besides you will have a company backing up their product. I am positive maydog has no liability insurance for his product .Maydog believes in saving money, I'm sorry...If I believe in saving someones life!!"

Yes I made it pretty clear that my setup only works on cars it is designed for. 1997 on up, I provide links to do the cross reference yourself. Actually lots of people are running the bypass (it is not mine, I just happen to be the first to document it) including yourself. Go an look sometime at the markings on the resistor 50W 10-12ohm, heatsinked dale resistor (#TMC-50-12-ND)? Why now are you saying that I suggest it for all cars. Look back in my previous posts, you will see that I suggest looking into 580-2 parts for previous years.

What kind of info is that, I don't understand it ?

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=235907#post235907
The resistance is more with a 2.2 ohm verses the 12 ohm load krashed989 is using now, there is more resistance on a 2 ohm load than 12 ohm.

If you cannot understand semi-technical writing and think that 2>12, I would say that you are quite incapable of technical thought and should not comment further. Logical and rational thought are beyond you. You are just posting emotionally and for no good reason at that. What do you have to lose by my suggestion that options do exist?

Man you are sore ... maybe you should go back to watching informercials and buying dehydrators, juicers and pocket fishermans like a good little consumer to rest that confused brain and calm down.

Cheers

Hi:

What kind of info is that, I don't understand it:bonkers: ? Anyway there are lots of companies that sell aftermarket kits. I am sure you were not the first:worship: as you claim in some of your threads. You would probally be rich now if you were. There is an old saying "if your so smart why arent you rich".:hmm:

TOM

By the way Maydog I never said you were the first guy that sold after market kits...read the thread again, I never mentioned any ones name!! I said "there is a guy who claims to be the inventor of after market kits."
So, you get an A+ for being the self proclaimed inventor .



Your head must really be hurting now. Why would anyone believe you?

You can't handle the truth about you design errors, Mr. misinformation = maydog. Better update your website again, so all the mickey mouse mechanics can get on board. Your design is probally only good for 1997 that is it!! And that is up for debate!! There is no proof it works!! Except from 1 self proclaimed idiot!!

TOM

maydog keep up the good work. I don't know of anyone who believes toofit. In reading any of his posts people should just consider the source. He will memtion bullets if you are not careful. lol

Thanks, this is kind of fun .. I just keep handing the guy rope.

I think I should stop now before he hurts himself. No more responses to Tom from me on this topic.

Goodyr another insider:eek: ,. I don't care people should know Maydog info is bogus:cookoo: look at the retractions, and disclaimers on his website. He doesn't know squat about cadillac suspensions. If you want hot air he's full of it.Goodyr has fuel injecors connected to his suspension wiring. Will it burn, can it cause a fire, he has no idea, this is the information promoted on his website.

TOM

I am an insider? An insider of what? Do I know whether my car will catch on fire? No. But the guy that did the work for me knows more about it than I do and I trust him. He has been dealing with cadillacs for many years. So far I have had no ill effects from having this work done. I will say he did not sell me junk and tell me it would work and then have no good answer when it didn't. I read about maydog a long time ago but my car is a 94 and it was not viable for me. Toofit you would be better served to just cheer for boston. Maybe dennis will buy you a little tutu and some pom poms.

Goodyr,

I think I can address the issue of overload and fire on the RSS system. The point of failure in a fuel injector would occurr in the coil. The injector itself has a significant thermal mass to absorb most waste heat. However, I do think that most injectors when used in their original application are cooled by the fuel passing through it and they are not intended for 100% duty cycle. I do not know the max duty cycle in a RSS equipped car. So I am not going to say that an injector will not fail.

This failure, however, will not be catastrophic. The likely failure modes would be a short in the coil due to insulation burning off or an open. An open poses no risk of overload since no power is dissipated. The scenario of a short would be localized heating leading to an open circuit, like a fuse. Think of speakers, have you ever heard of an overloaded speaker catching fire?

The real saving grace here is that the system is designed to protect itself against a short. Look through the trouble codes, there should be one similar to "strut shorted to ground". I think that several people who were sold resistors for use on an RSS system already have had this message - the system knows how to handle it and will notify the driver accordingly.

To sum up, the injector coil failing - possibly, in that event just replace it with a more robust coil. A fire starting - plausible but highly improbable.

B.T.W. please, everyone, check out my poll and give me suggestions:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31636

Mickey mouse.com that is what you guys are. You should register the name. It should work...???? That is what Hitler said about the hindenberg:histeric: .I am not cheering for anybody. I believe in buying from a company insted of mickey mousing parts that don't belong together. I also don't belive in promoting the use of such parts.
Maydog I hope you get your butt in a jam from your unproven use of parts from your website.There are a lot of people looking for law suits these days, you left yourself wide open to one.

TOM

Other than you "Two Bit",this is a great site, where lots of helpful ideas are shared. Someone, apparently Sal, spent a lot of time putting it together, but not for you and your two bit thoughts about other posters. What's up with you being so cynical and critical with these struts? I'm making my purchase this week, I think I will buy Boston, but now I'm going to look at Maydog's stuff one more time, just because of you! Anyway, if Maydog wants to post what he came up with, great! He's taken the time to set up a web page for other people's info for no charge. If you don't understand it, don't use it. I'm still bothered that Boston lies on their site about the flawless electronics, I also can see why they offer to sell it w/out the resistors for $10 less. Then when people call in to complain, he can say, "Well, the kit w/out the electronics is $10 less, I'll refund your $10!". I would buy the Boston, based on the Monroe or Gabriel parts, then use Maydog's resistor if (or when) it doesn't work! It looks like the others use some crap made who-knows-where. But what's up with you and your "two bit" complaints? Do you really have nothing better to do? If you think Maydog or Goodyr are idiots or weird or whatever, don't waste this nice space to try to convince others, (you only make me think YOU are weird!) just write it on the wall in your Mom's basement! By the way, didn't she say she wanted you to move out on your 35th birthday? Times' a wastin'!

Now I realize that Maydog's only works on 97+. Goodyr, what did your guy use on your 94? I have my 94 STS that needs fronts for sure, I was going to do all four anyway! Anyone else is welcome to post, even "Two Bit" and his plug for Boston, who I may go with. Also, from a previous post of mine, I talked to Action Auto Salvage, who claims to sell "rebuilt air struts" for Caddy's. The guy on the phone made NO sense at all. I couldn't tell if they were new or rebuilt, OEM or other, the guy's answers kept changing! So, that's it for them and me!

I am glad you now see the problem, that is the only reason I posted here. To inform the people of apperant problems with maydogs website. Look, people could get hurt, I mean people that don't have a lot of mechanical ability. About the bashing... These guys continue to bash me, because I bought a Boston kit and, I am happy with it. I have over 1,000.00 invested in that company on 2 cars, a 1996 seville and a 1999 Deville, and guess what they work perfect!!! I also checked the electronics today on both cars.They have differant bypasses, one has a resistor the other has a round plastic coil with 2 wires.



TOM

I don't know what the "problem" is, Maydog's idea is only for 97+ cars. If anything he's using OEM delco parts, which would seem to be safer than modified Monroe's. I think that he is being a good guy by posting his info over and over to offer another option, which I've said before. If people read it and think he's some goof who's inhaled too much CO, they can skip his info. I'm not a first-grade teacher, but it seems to me that "Toofitt" started the mean-spirited comments on this thread. Why don't we wipe the slates clean and quit wasting this space for petty, personal criticism. I found this site about two or three months ago, after I bought my Cad. If I had just found it now, I'd wonder what the heck this is-all of the childish personal swipes and keep looking for my Cad info. I would miss all of the GREAT info that this site offers. (Thanks to Sal and the others who give their time and $$$!) We now know who loves/hates Boston, Arnott and who has their own solutions, let's move on from the personal crap! These little spats seem to be getting worse. (or at least taking up more space!) Why not show some appreciation to the people who set this great site up, as well as the moderators and quit the personal criticism crap! Or, if you REALLY must, send 'em some big money, so you can have ad space to rip other members all you want! (I won't be reading though!)

Take it Easy!:coolgleam

Hi bobby,
I will apologize for my behavior. I will try to keep my personal feelings out of the forums. I’m just an old country boy and when someone pushes me or makes a statement that I know is not true I tend to push back. I am sorry if I turned you or anyone else off on this board. This is one of the great boards for us caddy owners. You are right that there is enough posts about boston for people to make up there own minds. I believe maydog has done some good work and put a lot of great information out there. I will try and take it easy.

Regards, goodyr

Goodyr-

No, you haven't bothered me at all! You sure sound like a nice guy, even if you are "old as dirt"! I know we been on threads before, I know you're cool, helpful and not "Goodyear"! Hey-you have a 94 Seville, what did your guy do for your struts, you seem pleased. I'm still not ready to buy, I may look more into salvage, if I think I can reliably find some low mi. struts, even for a little more than these others, I might go for it! I had one reply, a couple weeks back, saying they had low mile California struts for $250.00/ea. That's a little pricey, if I could get it lower, I think I'd do it. I'm probably going to keep the car for 1-2 years, reselling it with factory struts could be easier, as long as they still work!!!
I just can't get over Boston lying so openly about their resistors always working, plus just the idea of paying big $$ for rigged-up Monroe's, I don't know. These other companies seem to sell new struts made to fit, but I've heard several times that they are cheap, China junk and they ride like s@#t!

I have my beloved 1992 Dodge 3/4 ton truck, which will be done soon, it has a rebuilt tranny, getting new ball joints, other front suspension pcs, new brakes, all new shocks, (probably Monroe's! Their best gas shocks in front and air or load levelers in back, I carry heavy loads once every 1-2 weeks) I think I'll throw in a new head unit, maybe XM, new door speakers, heck maybe a small amp and a couple 8's or 10's behind the seat! I don't mind parking the Cad for a while until I find the best solution, the weather in this area-Chicago/Milwaukee along Lake Michigan is gray and bleak until May, then I'd like the Cad back, till then ol' blue is just fine!

Anyone know of any salvage co's you trust? Any other ideas?

bobby,
If you look under my post in a thread by Krashed989 called "Just replaced with boston suspension" you will find my posts about this there. This particular post was 12-1-04. BTW the car is stilling going strong with no src. Below:

Krashed989

I have been watching this thread pretty much lately. My car is a 94 sls 4.6. Before I start I want you to know that I am not an electronics guy. My mechanic fixed or suppressed the src in my car. I was there when he done some of it

He disconnected the resistors on all four corners. I know he was really reading about the src in the repair manual. He has quite a few caddy’s sitting around. He went out to an older caddy, it was not a n*. It could have been a 4100 or 4.5. He pulled the 2 injector coils and soldered 2 wires to each one. he bared the 2 ends of the wires and stuck them in into the plug where the struts used to plug in. At least I am pretty sure thats what he done. After driving the car a couple of days and no codes showed up for the 2 he done. He then did the rear ones the same way. He waterproofed them and wrapped them a water proof tape. So I have injector coils on all 4 corners of my car.

I wouldn’t know an injector if it bit me on the #ss. I can tell you I have not seen the src message on my car since then. I have driven over 200 miles and no message. I can only speak on my car. I do know if I had known this I would have just bought some good shocks and struts and suppressed the src this way. I would warn you this was done to a 1994 sls only. My car has suffered no ill effects. Sorry for the long post.

Same old song and dance!! From the same old clan!!!

TOM

No reply, have a nice day.