Aftermarked struts and shocks; 2004 LeSabre

mikec6201 said:
OK here is what I did . 2005 Lesabre , I got the Monroe quick struts and used them with the new spring . Yes it raised the front end about an inch , but I felt that the factory springs were probably a bit weak after 100005 miles . A couple months later I replaced the rear shocks as they were shot . I did something a bit different and installed coil-over shocks . The ride is just a bit stiffer , but the ride height matches the front and the handling is much improved . Probably not for everyone , but I like it .
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Interesting. That's what I have heard... the front end gets raised some... I'm okay with a stiffer ride... So you like the coil-over rear shocks? I wonder how they work when you have three people in back. That's one good thing about the air shocks...
 
Mad_Coachman said:
As long as your compressor still works I would go with the air shocks like KYB or Monroe.

Stay away from the Cheaper Delcos. They made my last Buick ride like a truck.

For a true OE ride you gotta spend a lot more money.
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Are the rear KYB's better than the Monroe's? What's the difference in ride type?

If the compressor goes out, is one better off just going to NON-air shocks or replacing the compressor and sticking with air shocks?
 
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Mad_Coachman said:
As long as your compressor still works I would go with the air shocks like KYB or Monroe.

Stay away from the Cheaper Delcos. They made my last Buick ride like a truck.

For a true OE ride you gotta spend a lot more money.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the links! Yes, I went with the KYB's for the rear and already installed them. They seem to be a quality item and I like them so far.
The Monroe's are very similar but were a bit damaged when I received them. Otherwise... I am assuming a similar experience.

Yes... more money for the GM parts... (But are they really "GM"???) Based upon the OEM shocks that were original to the car... I don't see the point.
(Unless they made some huge quality changes) Having shocks that go out that way and look the way they did...??? At 40k Miles?

That's just crap... Bilsteins and Konis last so much longer... GM just supplied to the cheapest bidder in my opinion...
 
lbear said:
Are the rear KYB's better than the Monroe's? What's the difference in ride type?

If the compressor goes out, is one better off just going to NON-air shocks or replacing the compressor and sticking with air shocks?
Click to expand...
I think the The KYB's are better...but cannot provide a concrete reason... Just my opinion. The Monroe Air Shocks for the rear is what I had originally ordered and they came-in a bit rough. I returned them and got the KYB's. They are very similar in every way... slightly more $$. So far... so good.

Great question about using NON-Air Shocks once the compressor poops-out. Hmmmm... Aside from cost?? What would be the best engineering practice here? Is the extra spring-on-shock enough to compesate for heavy passenger loads? I think it would depend on how the car is used primarily.
 
How are the CV axles on the 2001-2005 LeSabre's? Any issues with those and what is the avg life expectancy of them?
 
lbear said:
How are the CV axles on the 2001-2005 LeSabre's? Any issues with those and what is the avg life expectancy of them?
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You should start your own thread for better visibility on this subject.
 
Yeah...good question on the CV joints etc. Perhaps another thread on this?
 
Going to have an alignment done this week on a 2004 LeSabre Limited. Are there any alignment spec sheets available to give to the tech? Anything that should be relayed to the alignment tech?
 
lbear said:
Going to have an alignment done this week on a 2004 LeSabre Limited. Are there any alignment spec sheets available to give to the tech? Anything that should be relayed to the alignment tech?
Click to expand...
I've found this to be true when getting an alignment - It's all about the "tech" doing the work. They usually pull a current "Baseline" report and then go from there. A really good technician will bring your car to the correct specifications and observe tire wear and how you drive.

Not to say this is a sports car, but they (techs) should be looking at the numbers PLUS having the experience to bring the alignment to the correct specs. The tolerances for many vehicles are too wide (loose) in my opinion. IF the technician hit the "green" then technically, he's "in spec".

A good tech will try and match both sides and even make adjustments for "Road Crown". Bottom line - A good alignment technician is the key. It's not always the easiest job. I'd go over the specs (Camber, Caster, Toe) with him and see what he tells you.
 
mikec6201 said:
OK here is what I did . 2005 Lesabre , I got the Monroe quick struts and used them with the new spring . Yes it raised the front end about an inch , but I felt that the factory springs were probably a bit weak after 100005 miles . A couple months later I replaced the rear shocks as they were shot . I did something a bit different and installed coil-over shocks . The ride is just a bit stiffer , but the ride height matches the front and the handling is much improved . Probably not for everyone , but I like it .
Click to expand...
Those coil over in the rear, I read they are adjustable? Did you adjust them ?
 
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