FAQ: Shocks & Struts Options

Deekster - glad you like Monroes. I like them too, but most of my driving is interstate and secondary highway. I replaced my Monroes because on the roads I drive there are lots of small imperfections, and the Monroes by design really don't dampen the very short suspension movements such as divide lines between concrete slabs on a highway. A couple miles of that jiggling is not a huge annoyance, but a couple hundred was something I did not want to put up with.

The point is Monroes work as designed and generally work well - I just don't like 'em, and given the purpose of the Riv board here it's reasonable to let others know. One of the mechanics (Roy) I work with likes them very much and seemed crestfallen when I removed them.

So... for most drivers thisMonroe 'feature' (position sensitive damping) is nice. For me it is not helpful. Consequently I have a set of SensaTracs and accompanying mounting bits with not many miles on, for sale. And KYBs on the car - KYBs for the '98 became available this year.... Gabriels or KYBs work for me, for this application, since I can't get Bilsteins.

I heard somewhere that if you had the factory struts you could cut the tops off with a pipe cutter and put in Bilstein inserts - but as far as I know that's a rumor.

Albertj

SilveR wrote:

I have experience of installation Monroes Sensa-Trac on a different cars – without claims.
Quite decent quality.

To the Riviera I've replaced my old struts with AcDelco and not satisfied …
It would be better to get Monroe or genuine GM (it’s a pity, that the KYB does not exist for 97 )

Yeah,why is the 97 such a forsaken one in the struts&shocks area? I really need to replace mine. The fronts are wore slap out and the passenger rear is leaking. I've been reading up here on it but the 97 seems to be the odd ball. I'd rather upgrade to something more performance orientated.
Went to the Koni website and they don't even list a Rivi in the drop down menu and KYB skips the 97 model all together. The local parts store can only get me Gabriel replacements struts and list nothing for the rear air shocks.
sorry for the hijack,just frustrated;)

I manage a checker auto parts (murray's for you easterners) and I sell monroes to my commercial accounts and they seem to love em'

Fuzzy, I think if you talk to a counterperson at a CarQuest affiliate they may able to supply you a strut that will fit & will work. Most likely a Gabriel. I dunno if it is still true, but I was told once that they have a program to make struts for the hard-to-fits to sell to the trade (auto mechanics). Where they get the specs from I'm not sure.

As for the rears, try rockauto.com - for the Delcos.

Albertj

I just found out that Monroe makes a "quick-strut" that has everything in one piece, you don't need to compress the coils or anything.

Sounds great, but I don't even know if these are available for the Riviera. I looked on Monroe's website and it seems that the Sensa-Trac are the only ones they're listing.

Here's a link:

Monroe Quick-Strut

Yeah, so I was also thinking about replacing the rear springs with something different. It seems like it would be REALLY EASY considering that all you would need would be a spring compressor tool and new springs of course. I already have new Max-Air Monroe air struts and they will not be replaced. Any thoughts?

I really would hate to get the GR2's and not replace the spring as well, and the one-piece comes with EVERYTHING.

sorry ben, but monroe does not make a quick strut for our cars. i 've already tried. you have to make your own. so pretty much you have to buy each component individually. so strut, bearing plate, boot, jouncer, upper and lower spring seat, o i would also reccommend buying 2 cam bolts one for each side.

That sucks, the quick-strut has EVERYTHING.

Hm. What about options for that rear spring? Like I said, I think it would a piece of cake to do with a coil compressor.

Gabriel makes a quick-strut equivalent you can buy at Autozone, fits the Riv. Have to ask for them.

Albertj

Yep, Gabriel ReadyMount.

But their online applications does not list it under a Riviera search. Gabriel online, that is.

AZ online also does not list them for a 98 Riv.

Very nice! Glad to know, guys... are the Gabriels any good? I've noticed that in a few threads people said some good things about them.

I'd really like to replace the coils at the same time, mainly because this is a heavy car and the coils are likely to be worn after 60k.

I also went with new GM front coils when I did my KYB's last year. Don't know if I'd worry about them at 60k though. I have about 120k.

Oh about those struts. You may have to ask at CarQuest not Autozone. AZ does not carry the full line (saled volume) but CarQuest does.

I think what you get are ReadyMounts for the G-body FWD Bonneville or the later DTS. Don't really remember...

Albert

That would explain why Gabriel doesn't spec them for a Riv, but I'm surprised a parts store would sell them for a Riv. app,

This is really confusing...

So basically, they don't sell one for the Riviera, but the ReadyMount for the Bonneville/DTS fits the front Riviera?

Or should I just say screw the whole thing and go for the KYBs, even though I'd have to get new coils and mounts at an extra price for me.

All I can add is that I'm very happy with my KYB's with their mounts, and new GM springs.

Do the KYBs come with the mounts, or do I need to purchase those separately?

The KYB mounts are separate. I'd recommend buying from Summit. Go anywhere BUT autopartswarehouse.com !!!

Boy, this is REALLY expensive. Would the Gabriel Ready-Mount be sufficient for what I want?

I don't know why not. Coupled with the STB mod you've already done, I think any new struts would be fine. To really stiffen the front, you'd want to do the Addco sway bar.

I was happy with Gabriels - just be aware they are stiffer than the Monroes and much stiffer than (new) factory struts.

Albertj

Stiff is fine with me, I'm just sick of this boating effect I've got going on in the front. Plus, I wouldn't mind a little sportier ride. I enjoy the Cadillac feel, but it's too marshmallow-ey for me.

I'll try to obtain the Gabriel ready-mounts.

Again, thanks for everyone's replies and help on this matter.

What about those stock rear springs? I've got new Monroe max-air struts on the back, I think it would be fun to replace the rear coils with something a little sportier.

What are the options for the rear coils as far as "sport" or "stiffer than stock" are available? I'm guessing it would be a super easy job.

You just jack the back end up, remove the wheel, and put the spring compressor on the coil - compress it, remove it, compress the new spring, stick it in there, and uncompress and you're finished - right?

The Gabriels *will* get rid of the boaty feel. Car will feel much "smaller" at first. The Monroes will not get rid of all of it but will improve it a lot - they feel a little jiggly to me. The OEMs are boaty when brand new out of the box.

WHen I first got my RIv I figured the shocks were shot so I bought a new set of OEMs from gmpartsdirect.com - put them on - still boaty. I put on a set of Monroes - better but I did not like them much. I liked the Gabriels, and I like the KYBs I have on the Riv now. Replaced the Gabriels because the cases had rusted and started to bulge.

Albertj

Does anyone know if they sell a complete strut (with spring attached) for the Riv? My struts are worn and possibly original or very old.

So I figure, why not get a whole strut with the springs. Just not sure where to look.

any ideas? Oh, I'm going for OEM levels of spring & such