2004 Buick LeSabre Suspension

[2007LucerneCXL]

If staying with the same manufacturer of the replacement of the wear parts it wouldn't be a issue, but some don't play well with others and that's usually when trying to put them together.

 

[RobR]

While your into the suspension,replace the Lower Control Arms. Ill guarantee they're toast. Then you better check out the front trans mount, that is probably bad also.

 

[BuickBeignet]

While your into the suspension,replace the Lower Control Arms. Ill guarantee they're toast. Then you better check out the front trans mount, that is probably bad also.

Already took care of all the mounts. I will look into the lower control arms.

 

[RobR]

Already took care of all the mounts. I will look into the lower control arms.

Jumping ahead,the premium lines from Mevotech or Moog are a good choice.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

That sounds like a good route to me, I'll give that a try. Is there a particular branded strut and mount that you'd recommend?

strut mount AC delco prob best, and the strut itself you could get your OE soft ride one for a few hundred each most likely brand new or you can get ac delcos decent or you can find a few different makes. I havent done it personally, so If you arent going to do the strut disassembly yourself, the quick strut route and then the save the oe for later may be the most convenient. it will for sure allow you to determine if that is the only issue or if you need to go further too.

They are quick struts in name and practice, it is convenient.

 

[BuickBeignet]

strut mount AC delco prob best, and the strut itself you could get your OE soft ride one for a few hundred each most likely brand new or you can get ac delcos decent or you can find a few different makes. I havent done it personally, so If you arent going to do the strut disassembly yourself, the quick strut route and then the save the oe for later may be the most convenient. it will for sure allow you to determine if that is the only issue or if you need to go further too.

They are quick struts in name and practice, it is convenient.

Thank you!

 

[2004CSOTP]

That's good to know, and from your username it sounds like you have an 04 as well?

Yes, I replaced the shocks and struts about 30,000 miles ago. I went for the Monroes because I wanted to preserve a smooth ride. If the car was newer or sportier, I might have considered an upgrade like Bilstein.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Bilstein is a good upgrade to bad they don't have them for the larger Buicks.

 

[BuickBeignet]

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[G-399354]

I installed the Monroe quick struts up front and the air shocks on the back. I did not have a problem with ride height or getting it aligned.

How did you get the air lines to seal ? I can't get mine to not leak air...

 

[lilpoindexter]

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exactly

 

[Buick City Bert]

Last year I replaced all four corners on my wife's 2008 Lucerne based on reaching 100k miles, with the KYB quick struts up front, and KYB air shock replacements in the rear.

After 2 months the front upper strut mounts (ball bearings) failed, crunching loudly while turning and sticking, not returning to center while driving.
My friends own and operate a second generation alignment shop (where they only align, not repair, or sell parts) and they told me that they have seen many after market upper mounts fail in the recent couple of years. Since the originals were still in my garage, I removed the upper OEM mounting plates, removed and replaced the failed after market (KYB) mounts. After another alignment the originals continue to perform just fine.

Now the rears, the OEM shocks have an aluminum sleeve where the rubber bellows ride as the shock gets longer and shorter through their range, KYBs ride directly on the steel shock tube and quickly captured sand and salt in between and started rusting. Now every time I have the rear jacked up I blow the grit out with the air gun and spray fluid film in to slow the advancing rust.

The OEM struts and shocks are very well made, and if I could go back I would have left well enough alone.

My wife's previous 2005 Lucerne got the Monroe coil over replacement shocks for the elimination of the air system, except for a little squeeking from time to time they performed very well for years.

 

[Traz]

Here's my experience with struts and shocks with my 2004 Lesabre with 212k miles on it. I bought it 7 years ago with 130k at the time.

After much reading on the forum here, and many product reviews, 4 years and 40k miles ago I decided to keep my front springs and replace the struts and bearings from RockAuto with KYB 335037 original ride quality GR-2. (I also replaced the Coil Spring Seat / Insulator and strut bellow) so everything was new except the springs.

The KYB bearings (KYB SB103 Shock/Stut Mount) had some reviewers on amazon saying that they were noisy, but I decided to buy them anyway just to keep all the parts in the KYB brand. It made sense to me. Some time after the installation I discovered that the mounts/bearings were indeed noisy. Clicks when turning or going over bumps just like I read some reviewers stating. How annoying! It was quite a bit of work to replace them, so I just lived with the noise.

Fast forard to a year ago, July 2024, and while I was driving down our very bumpy pot-hole-filled road, "POW !!!!". That was the sound of my spring breaking. Bummer.

Not wanting to go through all the assembly again, I found some ready struts that had good reviews, specifically from 2000-2005 LeSabre owners: Duralast Loaded Strut Assembly LS34-84651B from Autozone.

The LS34-84651B struts may have raised my car up about half an inch, but honestly I don't notice it all. I've been very happy and would recommend to anybody needing new front struts.

 

[Traz]

The Rear shocks, well that's another story:

My car is in pretty good shape, so in 2021 I decided to replace with the air shocks, ACDELCO 504547 like original. Three years later, the air leveling system stopped working very well. It wasn't sagging, but it also wasn't raising the back very well under added weight.

So I ordered at rockauto the FCS SC00001 (Original Ride Quality)
Rear; Converts Rear Air Shocks to Rear Coil Shocks

I installed and for the next few hundred miles (I took a trip) and the springs were slapping against the car. I sent them back and Rockauto gave me a refund.

So I bought on amazon: Detroit Axle - 2 Rear Struts for 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne LeSabre Park Avenue Riviera Cadillac DTS Deville Seville Complete Struts w/Coil Springs Replacement Ready Strut Shock Assembly Conversion Kit

The Detroit Axle shocks have been working very well for me.

I'm just writing from my experiene. Your experience might differ, but I hope someone finds this helpful.

 

[murat]

Here's my experience with struts and shocks with my 2004 Lesabre with 212k miles on it. I bought it 7 years ago with 130k at the time.

After much reading on the forum here, and many product reviews, 4 years and 40k miles ago I decided to keep my front springs and replace the struts and bearings from RockAuto with KYB 335037 original ride quality GR-2. (I also replaced the Coil Spring Seat / Insulator and strut bellow) so everything was new except the springs.

The KYB bearings (KYB SB103 Shock/Stut Mount) had some reviewers on amazon saying that they were noisy, but I decided to buy them anyway just to keep all the parts in the KYB brand. It made sense to me. Some time after the installation I discovered that the mounts/bearings were indeed noisy. Clicks when turning or going over bumps just like I read some reviewers stating. How annoying! It was quite a bit of work to replace them, so I just lived with the noise.

Fast forard to a year ago, July 2024, and while I was driving down our very bumpy pot-hole-filled road, "POW !!!!". That was the sound of my spring breaking. Bummer.

Not wanting to go through all the assembly again, I found some ready struts that had good reviews, specifically from 2000-2005 LeSabre owners: Duralast Loaded Strut Assembly LS34-84651B from Autozone.

The LS34-84651B struts may have raised my car up about half an inch, but honestly I don't notice it all. I've been very happy and would recommend to anybody needing new front struts.

After the Monroe quick struts I bought from RockAuto caused a ridiculous ride height and positive camber, I had them, replaced with the Duralast from Autozone. As you say, the ride is a bit higher than normal. Did you experience any settlement?

 

[Traz]

After the Monroe quick struts I bought from RockAuto caused a ridiculous ride height and positive camber, I had them, replaced with the Duralast from Autozone. As you say, the ride is a bit higher than normal. Did you experience any settlement?

Yes, I believe they have settled a bit. Either that or I'm just used to it! LOL

 

[Buick City Bert]

Likely scenario, spring broke after upper bearing plate froze, causing the rotation during turning to wind up the spring.

 

[Traz]

Likely scenario, spring broke after upper bearing plate froze, causing the rotation during turning to wind up the spring.

That sounds logical.

 

[murat]

Yes, I believe they have settled a bit. Either that or I'm just used to it! LOL

I envy you, I have suffered quite a bit from OCD. So, this high ride is really jarring for me.

 

[Traz]

Judging from the reviews, monroe ready struts are a lot worse about raising the front end and stiff springs/rough ride, whereas the Duralast have many good reviews. For instance, I didn't have any trouble getting an alignment done.