Hitting same problem, maybe?? I went to replace front strut assembly on my '12 CTS and found a different bolt pattern (no bolts) on the lower portion on the new assembly?

Not sure what's up or how to fix... Hope there's an adapter or something that'll facilitate using the new strut assembly on old bolt pattern (vs. parts returns, etc.) sigh

 

Order 2007 Cadillac cts strut and coil assembly on eBay.

 

Thread moved from the '03-07 CTS forum to the '08-13 CTS forum so that you folks can get responses from your fellow 2nd gen CTS owners.

2013 CTS 3.0 engine. replacing front struts and rear shocks. Mechanic ordered correct parts for car from Dealer and they would not fit, due to bolt patterns being different on suspension.

Then I think that means the mechanic did not order the correct parts, or the dealer parts person didn't supply the correct part. What exactly do you mean by "bolt patterns being different"?

Old original parts are 2006 on front and 2008 on back, Car bought new and never replaced. Has anyone else found GM putting older suspension parts on CTS? Had to order correct parts from product producer. Car has over 150000 miles and parts worn out.

I'm not sure what that bolded part means. Do you have the actual part numbers?

Hitting same problem, maybe?? I went to replace front strut assembly on my '12 CTS and found a different bolt pattern (no bolts) on the lower portion on the new assembly?

Not sure what's up or how to fix... Hope there's an adapter or something that'll facilitate using the new strut assembly on old bolt pattern (vs. parts returns, etc.) sigh

View attachment 651628

Someone ordered the wrong parts. The new damper assembly on the right is for an AWD CTS, the old damper assembly on the left is for a RWD CTS. The AWD cars have a different knuckle and different damper because the front CV axles have to have space to get to the wheel hub. Go to rockauto.com, navigate to the 2012 CTS -> Suspension -> Shock/Strut and you can see the two different types of front dampers.

 

Are you really going to re-use a 150K mile upper control arm?

 

Keep in mind that it's almost impossible at this time to find OEM front shocks for the 2nd gen RWD CTS. The AWD parts are somewhat more available. Either the mechanic ordered the wrong part or the dealer sold the wrong part - in any case you got a AWD shock.
As someone who recently did a suspension rebuild on a 2009 RWD CTS, I went with Monroe shocks in the front because I simply couldn't get my hands on OEMs at any price.
I lost about 1" ride height - I'm not sure what went wrong, I haven't got the time to disassemble everything to double checks. Maybe the perch on the Monroe is not quite at the right height, IDK.... just a warning from my experience.
Looks like the only other options is FCS and Gabriel, both of which are not great.

I highly advise speaking to a sales rep and compare with the dimensions of the original shock, including the position of the perch.

 

I just bought new FE3 front shocks and associated rubber parts from GM for my RWD 2009, they were delivered a week ago. The FE3 rears are discontinued so I grabbed the last OEM wagon shocks in the country from Rock Auto. Close enough.

While it's true GM has been awful about supply chain management and supporting their vehicles with repair parts, it is generally still best to make every effort to procure OEM shocks. I would order custom coilovers before I would install parts-store garbage shocks like Monroe or similar on my car. There have been a few on this forum have gone that route, none of them were happy with the results.

I'm pretty sure FE2 shocks are available front and rear, perhaps give that a try?

 

Where can one find FE2 or FE1 front RWD shocks? I've been looking everywhere to no avail.

 

Where can one find FE2 or FE1 front RWD shocks? I've been looking everywhere to no avail.

Buy shocks (and associated boots, bump rubber and spring insulators) for 2010 to 2013, they fit.

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked RockAuto and only FE3 and FE5 are available for later year models. I'm not sure what FE5 is for, but the perch looks way too high compared to my FE2s.
Are FE3 our only OEM choice now? I find the ride already a bit too stiff, don't want to make it even more so. We have terrible roads here in Nor Cal.

 

Buy shocks (and associated boots, bump rubber and spring insulators) for 2010 to 2013, they fit.

 

I thought the FE1 and FE2 shocks were the same but for the larger wheels and tires and possibly larger brakes in the FE2 package...perhaps that's only for the wagon and or AWD...

Bill

 

I am having same problem with my 2012 CTS 3.0 Luxury. Parts came in and don't fit. Exactly like pics from atx_cts. Never again will I buy Cadillac! So now I have to figure out how to finish wearing out this POS...after I find some shocks that will fit.

 

You have to buy shocks for your car, not a different car. AWD and RWD are different.

 

Hidden build codes?

 

AWD RWD

 

But that's not hidden. You can see just be looking at the front wheels on thee car. No need to even open the trunk to see AWD or RWD

 

Not everyone is as familiar with these cars as we are.

 

Agree, but you go to Rock Auto, for example, and they state RWD or AWD, not both/together. Most mechanics should know whether or not it is an AWD car or RWD.

 

It did appear to be a rookie mistake.