I recently bought a used set of OEM struts for my eldorado. And payed a pretty penny for them. When I received them in the mail, they looked a tad beat up but showed no signs of leakage or damage. So I had them installed, and man, what a pleasure this thing turned out to be to drive. However, it's been snowing quite a bit here lately which had caused quite a few nasty pot holes here on main street. And sure enough, with my luck I hit a really nasty one. Everything appears to be fine, however my Right Front strut has starting dripping fluid. And it's now making a hollow thud type noise while going over bumps. When I first bought the car about a year ago, the dealership installed a passive gas charged strut on the front driver side and left all the other Stuts alone. After telling this to Basscatt, I went with his warning (to either change to all passive or all original), and decided to go with OEM replacement units. It took me several months to aquire these struts and I've put about 13k miles on them this last year. I'm really kind of upset with myself for hitting that pot hole and ruining this set. I just bought two new Monroe gas charged units Part #: 30142. It was listed on rockauto as Monroe Specialty Strut -replacement for their conversion strut- or something. Bought them for about 26 dollars a peice. However they came in the mail and look just like a regular strut. I've tried looking for reviews but cannot seem to find any, even on monroe website. I know these are cheap (being 26 dollars a peice) but what should I expect ride quality. Bass had said awhile back that unless I drive in a very spirted manner I wouldn't miss the active shocks, but are these that I bought any good? And should I expect a decent comfortable quote ride? Thanks so much again you all. I really do always appreciate your input.
2002 ETC struts. Monroe?
-
BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. Anyone trying to get your money should be checked out BEFORE you send anything anywhere.
Lewis98272
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Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
Hoping to hear more from Lewis98272 on those Monroe #30142 struts or anyone else who actually owns a 2002 ETC and used any brand of passive struts, what their experience is on them and if they would purchase that particular brand again. I went back to O'Reilly Auto to check on the Arnott SK-2178 passive set because they are going to send them back to the warehouse. I compared the base of the Arnott against the Monroe and they are different but I am not able to compare the base of my stock struts until I disassemble them. Lewis98272 mentioned stock struts have a flat base and the Monroe does not but I noticed the Arnott base is not totally flat either. They both have a raised impression in the base that is to keep the coil spring centerd but the Monroe strut has a couple more raised impressions that I am not sure what their purpose is for and believe that is the source of the clanking sound? Wondering now if the base of stock ESC struts with FE1 springs are same as stock ETC struts with FE3 springs? Seems I read somewhere that an ESC could come with FE3 springs? I also checked the resistence of the Arnott struts and found them to be about 12K ohms which is the same as stock whereas the radio Shack resistor is 4.7K ohms. I have read where many people had problems with brand new Arnotts right out of the box and there are two YouTube videos showing how the strut shaft will not stay extended and settles to the point where you can't even install the compressed coil spring. But there are people who have had no problems with Arnott. Arnotts shipped free from Shockwarehouse.com are $282 and stock ESC struts from Rockauto.com are $142 each plus shipping. Because the Arnotts seem to match up to stock in every way and will be a little cheaper with free shipping than stock ESC that I have not been able to compare, I am ready to give them a try. Before installing them out of the box I would check that each strut fully extends after pushing them in a few times by hand, and if they did not would not even try to replace them but send them back, and just go ahead and get the stock ESC struts. I very much value everyone's opinion on this forum and know it will be against their advice but this is where my research takes me at this point. Maybe I'll get a few more laughs at my expense or I'll get the last laugh? Either way there will be laughter!
Hoping to hear more from Lewis98272 on those Monroe #30142 struts or anyone else who actually owns a 2002 ETC and used any brand of passive struts, what their experience is on them and if they would purchase that particular brand again. I went back to O'Reilly Auto to check on the Arnott SK-2178 passive set because they are going to send them back to the warehouse. I compared the base of the Arnott against the Monroe and they are different but I am not able to compare the base of my stock struts until I disassemble them. Lewis98272 mentioned stock struts have a flat base and the Monroe does not but I noticed the Arnott base is not totally flat either. They both have a raised impression in the base that is to keep the coil spring centerd but the Monroe strut has a couple more raised impressions that I am not sure what their purpose is for and believe that is the source of the clanking sound? Wondering now if the base of stock ESC struts with FE1 springs are same as stock ETC struts with FE3 springs? Seems I read somewhere that an ESC could come with FE3 springs? I also checked the resistence of the Arnott struts and found them to be about 12K ohms which is the same as stock whereas the radio Shack resistor is 4.7K ohms. I have read where many people had problems with brand new Arnotts right out of the box and there are two YouTube videos showing how the strut shaft will not stay extended and settles to the point where you can't even install the compressed coil spring. But there are people who have had no problems with Arnott. Arnotts shipped free from Shockwarehouse.com are $282 and stock ESC struts from Rockauto.com are $142 each plus shipping. Because the Arnotts seem to match up to stock in every way and will be a little cheaper with free shipping than stock ESC that I have not been able to compare, I am ready to give them a try. Before installing them out of the box I would check that each strut fully extends after pushing them in a few times by hand, and if they did not would not even try to replace them but send them back, and just go ahead and get the stock ESC struts. I very much value everyone's opinion on this forum and know it will be against their advice but this is where my research takes me at this point. Maybe I'll get a few more laughs at my expense or I'll get the last laugh? Either way there will be laughter!
'02 Eldorado ETC 85k miles / Past: '03 Deville; '02 STS
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176 Posts
Like I recommended before, just buy the base model ESC OEM delco passive struts. Their about the same cost as the other aftermarket ones you've looked at, and it'll fit like a charm. That'd what I'm going to do.
'21 XT5 PRE/LUX-'13 SRX Perfor-'11 DTS Prem-'03 DHS,'02 DHS,'03 SLS,'95 Sedan DV,'89 Coupe DV
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24,231 Posts
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
O M G :horse::horse::horse::horse::horse:
the guys at O'rellys must LOVE seeing you pull into their parking lot - NOT -
================================
O M G :horse::horse::horse::horse::horse:
the guys at O'rellys must LOVE seeing you pull into their parking lot - NOT -
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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26,311 Posts
Motomack...Dude... By the time you settle on a set of shocks the car's going to have 400,000 miles on it and you'll be too old to drive. It's really not this complicated.
Some food for thought:
1 - Anyone's opinion here on how their replacement shocks ride is going to be more or less useless. Most owners here bough their cars quite used, either with aftermarket shocks already installed, or originals in need of replacement. They have no reference to the cars "as new" ride. And even if they did buy it new, it's been quite some time since their car ride like new.
2 - The suggestions that have been made to you by several members are based on both personal and professional experience, and years of other people's experience on this forum.
3 - Even OEM parts aren't perfect, especially ones that have been sitting on a shelf for years. All of my dampers were replaced with OEM active ones. But the shocks have been replaced twice. The "new" shocks I bought, from a dealer, that retail for ~$1,100 each in my area, developed splits in the air bladder in about a year.
4 - The AC Delco passive replacement shocks for last gen Sevilles and Devilles are actually rebadged Gabriel Hijackers, and tend to ride a bit firmer than others. Not sure if the same is true for AC Delco passive ESC shocks.
Some food for thought:
1 - Anyone's opinion here on how their replacement shocks ride is going to be more or less useless. Most owners here bough their cars quite used, either with aftermarket shocks already installed, or originals in need of replacement. They have no reference to the cars "as new" ride. And even if they did buy it new, it's been quite some time since their car ride like new.
2 - The suggestions that have been made to you by several members are based on both personal and professional experience, and years of other people's experience on this forum.
3 - Even OEM parts aren't perfect, especially ones that have been sitting on a shelf for years. All of my dampers were replaced with OEM active ones. But the shocks have been replaced twice. The "new" shocks I bought, from a dealer, that retail for ~$1,100 each in my area, developed splits in the air bladder in about a year.
4 - The AC Delco passive replacement shocks for last gen Sevilles and Devilles are actually rebadged Gabriel Hijackers, and tend to ride a bit firmer than others. Not sure if the same is true for AC Delco passive ESC shocks.
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
I was hoping for some good replies and got some! The animation is hilarious and the comment on O'Reilly funny! The assistant manager at O'Reilly insisted he could find me new active struts and took my number. Couple days later he called and said he got the next best thing, which was the Arnotts and said it was no big deal to send them back. I went back 2 other times to take physical and electrical measurements and each time a different employee was there, so I don't think I beat the horse to death! Didn't know they ever rebadged Gabriel as AC Delco and am not a fan of Gabriel. I did think about the age of the stock seals on the original ETC struts but also realize anything made with Chinese rubber won't last. I read Arnott uses Goodyear rubber for rear air boots but not sure about front seals? Good thing about the stock ESC struts is if they have the same exact strut body you could possibly put them back into the same position as the old ones and not need a front end alignment. I have loosened my stock strut mounts before to change the trans output driveshaft seal and was able to return it to correct alignment. I got the car with 90K miles and it rode like the smoothest Cadillac ever compared to my '83 and '89 with passive suspension until 112K miles. I noticed the front end bouncing a little a couple months ago, then hit several potholes for a couple weeks and leaked all the fluid on both sides and been terrible last couple weeks. So I do know what good active suspension feels like, as well as passive and blown. I was expecting to pay 5 to 8 hundred bucks for a set of front struts before all the research but after learning they cost even more and can't find the left gave up on that. I was only going to research the best price, buy 'em and be done with it. Not finding OEM caused me to age so rapidly...and drag out this thread! Lewis98272, be sure to let us know how the ESC struts work out for you and I'll report on the Arnott. I'll keep checking back daily until my strut job is done, then move on to the 4T80E transmission leak thread where you replace the output drive-shaft seal with a bearing. Sure I will see familiar names there and hope to continue the education and laughter!
I was hoping for some good replies and got some! The animation is hilarious and the comment on O'Reilly funny! The assistant manager at O'Reilly insisted he could find me new active struts and took my number. Couple days later he called and said he got the next best thing, which was the Arnotts and said it was no big deal to send them back. I went back 2 other times to take physical and electrical measurements and each time a different employee was there, so I don't think I beat the horse to death! Didn't know they ever rebadged Gabriel as AC Delco and am not a fan of Gabriel. I did think about the age of the stock seals on the original ETC struts but also realize anything made with Chinese rubber won't last. I read Arnott uses Goodyear rubber for rear air boots but not sure about front seals? Good thing about the stock ESC struts is if they have the same exact strut body you could possibly put them back into the same position as the old ones and not need a front end alignment. I have loosened my stock strut mounts before to change the trans output driveshaft seal and was able to return it to correct alignment. I got the car with 90K miles and it rode like the smoothest Cadillac ever compared to my '83 and '89 with passive suspension until 112K miles. I noticed the front end bouncing a little a couple months ago, then hit several potholes for a couple weeks and leaked all the fluid on both sides and been terrible last couple weeks. So I do know what good active suspension feels like, as well as passive and blown. I was expecting to pay 5 to 8 hundred bucks for a set of front struts before all the research but after learning they cost even more and can't find the left gave up on that. I was only going to research the best price, buy 'em and be done with it. Not finding OEM caused me to age so rapidly...and drag out this thread! Lewis98272, be sure to let us know how the ESC struts work out for you and I'll report on the Arnott. I'll keep checking back daily until my strut job is done, then move on to the 4T80E transmission leak thread where you replace the output drive-shaft seal with a bearing. Sure I will see familiar names there and hope to continue the education and laughter!
'21 XT5 PRE/LUX-'13 SRX Perfor-'11 DTS Prem-'03 DHS,'02 DHS,'03 SLS,'95 Sedan DV,'89 Coupe DV
Joined
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24,231 Posts
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
Lewis98272, be sure to let us know how the ESC struts work out for you
and I'll report on the Arnott.
with all the choices available -
you decided to buy the arnott struts?
the crappiest - and most expensive -
unbelievable - :thepan:
well - ah - good luck - :wavehi:
===============================
Lewis98272, be sure to let us know how the ESC struts work out for you
and I'll report on the Arnott.
with all the choices available -
you decided to buy the arnott struts?
the crappiest - and most expensive -
unbelievable - :thepan:
well - ah - good luck - :wavehi:
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
The Arnotts are very expensive for a passive gas strut but are in the same ballpark price-wise as stock ESC, Suncore, Strutmasters,etc. As far as the crappiest, I have never owned a pair and no one I know personally has tried them so I can only go by the information I find. I see YouTube has 2 videos of an Arnott strut that does not function properly and there is that thread where a guy from Canada wasn't treated well by their customer service but had nothing bad to say about the struts once he got a good pair on. If you actually tried a set or know someone personally that tried a set I would be interested in learning your experience. But if your opinion is based on the fact they are over-priced struts with a 20 cent resistor (same with Strutmasters), then I will whole-heartedly agree, but it is what it is. Anyone else have a working experience with Arnott good or bad? I do like the idea of stock ESC struts matching up to where I might not need to pay for a front-end alignment if can mount them back exactly in the same position. Keep in mind, the stock ESC struts will soon be hard to find and you will have to go with after-market brands anyway. I honestly wish the Monroe 30142 would fit. I've had good experience with Monroe over the years (not so good with Gabriel) and they are a great value, as well as being made in the USA! I already have clunking and rattling sounds that come from the right front I am trying to track down. Putting on a new vertical stabilizer link that attaches to the strut helped (one ball end sloppy) but did not cure the noise. I don't want to deal with a clanging sound from both front coil springs not fitting with the 30142.
The Arnotts are very expensive for a passive gas strut but are in the same ballpark price-wise as stock ESC, Suncore, Strutmasters,etc. As far as the crappiest, I have never owned a pair and no one I know personally has tried them so I can only go by the information I find. I see YouTube has 2 videos of an Arnott strut that does not function properly and there is that thread where a guy from Canada wasn't treated well by their customer service but had nothing bad to say about the struts once he got a good pair on. If you actually tried a set or know someone personally that tried a set I would be interested in learning your experience. But if your opinion is based on the fact they are over-priced struts with a 20 cent resistor (same with Strutmasters), then I will whole-heartedly agree, but it is what it is. Anyone else have a working experience with Arnott good or bad? I do like the idea of stock ESC struts matching up to where I might not need to pay for a front-end alignment if can mount them back exactly in the same position. Keep in mind, the stock ESC struts will soon be hard to find and you will have to go with after-market brands anyway. I honestly wish the Monroe 30142 would fit. I've had good experience with Monroe over the years (not so good with Gabriel) and they are a great value, as well as being made in the USA! I already have clunking and rattling sounds that come from the right front I am trying to track down. Putting on a new vertical stabilizer link that attaches to the strut helped (one ball end sloppy) but did not cure the noise. I don't want to deal with a clanging sound from both front coil springs not fitting with the 30142.
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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26,311 Posts
Your car is 13 years old. It needs an alignment regardless.
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
Can someone comment on the stabilizer link mounting to the Monroe 30142s? They are obviously meant to be universal but the least they could have done was ship a tapered grommet with the strut so I could install the OEM style link. I suppose I could achieve "linkage" using a stack of washers but I am not keen on that. Does anyone have a better suggestion?
Can someone comment on the stabilizer link mounting to the Monroe 30142s? They are obviously meant to be universal but the least they could have done was ship a tapered grommet with the strut so I could install the OEM style link. I suppose I could achieve "linkage" using a stack of washers but I am not keen on that. Does anyone have a better suggestion?
'21 XT5 PRE/LUX-'13 SRX Perfor-'11 DTS Prem-'03 DHS,'02 DHS,'03 SLS,'95 Sedan DV,'89 Coupe DV
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24,231 Posts
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
Does anyone have a better suggestion?
contact Monroe Tech Support -
phone -
1-734-384-7809-
or email -
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/support/Ask-The-Expert/
======================
Does anyone have a better suggestion?
contact Monroe Tech Support -
phone -
1-734-384-7809-
or email -
http://www.monroe.com/en-US/support/Ask-The-Expert/
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
I didn't bother with tech support. Here's what I did and it appears to be a very sturdy solution:
(5) 3/8" flat washers close to the boot, followed by an M10 lock washer, followed by the the link mounting hole, followed by another M10 lock washer, followed by an M10x1.5 nut. As you crank down, the flat washers form to the taper and snug to the boot just right. The lock washers prevent the joint from spinning in the socket and allow plenty of threads for the nut. You can really get some decent torque on this configuration and it felt very rigid. We shall see how it holds up.
I didn't bother with tech support. Here's what I did and it appears to be a very sturdy solution:
(5) 3/8" flat washers close to the boot, followed by an M10 lock washer, followed by the the link mounting hole, followed by another M10 lock washer, followed by an M10x1.5 nut. As you crank down, the flat washers form to the taper and snug to the boot just right. The lock washers prevent the joint from spinning in the socket and allow plenty of threads for the nut. You can really get some decent torque on this configuration and it felt very rigid. We shall see how it holds up.
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
JTraik, if that doesn't work, go get Duralast brand link from AutoZone for about $24. It does not have tapered ends and is more like a standard round bolt with a large flat back that will not draw through where it mounts and also has flats on the side to hold with a wrench to tighten. Are you having problems with the coil spring making noise like Lewis? By the way, I'll take credit for suggesting to use stock ESC struts or Arnotts because of the tapered end link problem. I went with the Arnotts and they bolted right up with no problems and now the front suspension behaves just as my old '83 and '89 Eldo's did with passive struts.
JTraik, if that doesn't work, go get Duralast brand link from AutoZone for about $24. It does not have tapered ends and is more like a standard round bolt with a large flat back that will not draw through where it mounts and also has flats on the side to hold with a wrench to tighten. Are you having problems with the coil spring making noise like Lewis? By the way, I'll take credit for suggesting to use stock ESC struts or Arnotts because of the tapered end link problem. I went with the Arnotts and they bolted right up with no problems and now the front suspension behaves just as my old '83 and '89 Eldo's did with passive struts.
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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26,311 Posts
Duralast??? AutoZone parts are complete garbage.
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
I agree, MC. But when you can't find OE parts or parts that actually fit, then you have few options. Since you recommend the Monroe struts that do not have tapered end mounts for the vertical stabilizer link, what brand link do you recommend? You can spend $100 a piece for Moog links but they have tapered ends like stock and will not work with the Monroes. I believe by using washers and lock washers it will just end up coming loose again. Or, you will end up tightening it down until it bottoms out against the ball end to where the ball joint cannot rotate freely, thus making a solid joint where a ball joint was needed. You would have to make or machine an insert of some type that would fit in the round hole of the Monroe bracket mount and have an inner taper for the tapered link ends. The Duralast link does not have tapered ends and is round like the Monroe bracket, but (keep in mind) the diameter of the hole in the bracket is larger than the diameter of the Duralast mounts, so you would still need to file down a bushing to fill in the space (and you would need 4 of them, a pair for each link).
I agree, MC. But when you can't find OE parts or parts that actually fit, then you have few options. Since you recommend the Monroe struts that do not have tapered end mounts for the vertical stabilizer link, what brand link do you recommend? You can spend $100 a piece for Moog links but they have tapered ends like stock and will not work with the Monroes. I believe by using washers and lock washers it will just end up coming loose again. Or, you will end up tightening it down until it bottoms out against the ball end to where the ball joint cannot rotate freely, thus making a solid joint where a ball joint was needed. You would have to make or machine an insert of some type that would fit in the round hole of the Monroe bracket mount and have an inner taper for the tapered link ends. The Duralast link does not have tapered ends and is round like the Monroe bracket, but (keep in mind) the diameter of the hole in the bracket is larger than the diameter of the Duralast mounts, so you would still need to file down a bushing to fill in the space (and you would need 4 of them, a pair for each link).
I had a different problem with Monroe struts for my 98. The tapered bushings they supplier were not the correct taper and i ruined a set of links figuring it out. I ended up cutting the original tapered parts out and welding them into the struts carefully as to not destroy the strut.
After the issues I have had with Monroe products the past year or so I will look elsewher for replacement parts if at all possible as I was not impressed. In the past Monroe products were top notch and worth every penny... Not sure anymore. I would have gladly paid more to not have have half the issues...
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
rodnok01, did you have problems with the coil spring clanging on the Monroe 30142 like Lewis98272? For that reason, along with the link mounting problem, I decided to steer clear of the Monroe struts. Maybe Lewis did not mount the coil spring with the correct orientation and just needs to rotate it slightly or 180 degrees? Jtraik did not mention coil spring noise. Would like to hear from Lewis or anyone that mounted stock ESC struts on an ETC. From my research, only ESC and Arnott struts will bolt right up with no problems, but I can only attest to Arnotts, since I have been driving with them a couple weeks now with no problem. I am a big fan of Monroe shocks and struts and the price on the 30142 is great, just a shame they are not an exact replacement and do not bolt up like OEM stock.
rodnok01, did you have problems with the coil spring clanging on the Monroe 30142 like Lewis98272? For that reason, along with the link mounting problem, I decided to steer clear of the Monroe struts. Maybe Lewis did not mount the coil spring with the correct orientation and just needs to rotate it slightly or 180 degrees? Jtraik did not mention coil spring noise. Would like to hear from Lewis or anyone that mounted stock ESC struts on an ETC. From my research, only ESC and Arnott struts will bolt right up with no problems, but I can only attest to Arnotts, since I have been driving with them a couple weeks now with no problem. I am a big fan of Monroe shocks and struts and the price on the 30142 is great, just a shame they are not an exact replacement and do not bolt up like OEM stock.
'21 XT5 PRE/LUX-'13 SRX Perfor-'11 DTS Prem-'03 DHS,'02 DHS,'03 SLS,'95 Sedan DV,'89 Coupe DV
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24,231 Posts
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
AutoZone parts are complete garbage.
and they go PERFECTLY with the garbage arnott struts -
======================
AutoZone parts are complete garbage.
and they go PERFECTLY with the garbage arnott struts -
Re: 2002 ETC Stuts. monroe?
Relax a bit, MC! I am not a parts salesman or pushing any name brand in particular, whether high quality or junk, at any price. I am only giving ideas on parts that I have experience with that might work in a similar situation as mine. And I think that is what most people on this forum are looking for, good advice and real experience to help solve their problems, and not a bunch of insults and negativity! I have read many of your comments from other posts and they are very helpful and I value your opinions...but lets not throw stones!
Relax a bit, MC! I am not a parts salesman or pushing any name brand in particular, whether high quality or junk, at any price. I am only giving ideas on parts that I have experience with that might work in a similar situation as mine. And I think that is what most people on this forum are looking for, good advice and real experience to help solve their problems, and not a bunch of insults and negativity! I have read many of your comments from other posts and they are very helpful and I value your opinions...but lets not throw stones!
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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26,311 Posts
What? Who's throwing stones? Which post are you referring to? :hmm:
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