AC Delco strut quality relative to KYB?

[Scottster]

Like the title says, I was at my shop today and saw a 1st gen lumina getting some new rear struts, Ac Delcos, and am wondering about their quality relative to the good things I hear around here about the KYB struts.

 

Any experience or oppinions with these?

[5speedz34]

I wouldn't get them. GM pays pennies on the dollar for struts and I can only imagine how much they suck.

[White93z34]

I have been told that ACD sruts = monroe sensatracks

[5speedz34]

Ohh and they're overpriced.

[Scottster]

Good to know, thanks guys. So KYB FTW, eh?

[5speedz34]

Pretty much.

[spiderw31]

Yup!

[Scottster]

Well I guess the point of this post is that I replaced my struts all around with Monroes when I bought the car two years ago. Now I've got clunks coming from the front end, and it's driving me out of my tree. I've replaced the outer sway bar bushings, and those are still fresh, so that leaves inner sway bar bushings, sub frame mounts, and struts. With the quality issues I've read of the monroe "sensacraps" I wouldn't be suprised if these are the culprit.

 

So some more questions...Considering my strut mounts and bearings are newish from the monroe job, may I replace only the strut with the KYB, or must the mount be replaced too with a KYB specific product?

 

Can subframe rubbers LOOK fine, but really be shot and in need of replacement?

 

Tirerack seems like the best source for this stuff eh?

 

BTW I just had the car serviced and went over the front end with my mechanic...it's a personal relationship...not one of those "stand behind the yellow line folks" so I'll confirm that the ball joints are sound too.

[LuminaPower92]

I dunno, i put Ac delcos on my cars as replacements, be cause i like them and the ride , and the rear struts come with everthing.

[mfewtrail]

It wouldn't hurt to check and see if the large strut nut that requires the w-body strut tool to tighten has backed off some. I had this happen on the driver's side front strut about 3yrs after I replaced it. The nut was a bit loose and it would cause the strut to clunk. I could kick the top of the tire and hear it clunk(and feel it if I put my hand around the strut, then pushed the top of the tire pretty hard).

[White93z34]

I have had monroe sensatracks in my z34 for going on 3 years now and well over 50,000mi and they perform just as well as they did day one

[Brian P]

I heard the cheaper AC Delcos = Gabriels. In other words, STAY AWAY!!!!

 

Most aftermarket struts don't last long on w-bodies, especially in the rear. My KYB's died after about 65k miles and 3 years of driving. Lifetime warranty is good though. SAVE THE RECEIPTS!!!!!

[5speedz34]

Struts are supposed to be replaced every 50k?

[White93z34]

AMEN to that one Brian. My monroes are lifetime and before they go on my new z34 I will get getting a new set via warranty.

 

and yes, technically struts are supposed to be "checked" every 50k and replaced if needed.

[Scottster]

Does anyone have the part# or specs on the inner sway bar bushings for the front? Gmpartsdirect.com wasn't too clear in their catalog about which bushing is which...

[Crazy K]

Does anyone have the part# or specs on the inner sway bar bushings for the front? Gmpartsdirect.com wasn't too clear in their catalog about which bushing is which...

see Aweb's 34mm STB FAQ thread. Look for my post about Blue Moog bushings.

[Scottster]

Does anyone have the part# or specs on the inner sway bar bushings for the front? Gmpartsdirect.com wasn't too clear in their catalog about which bushing is which...

see Aweb's 34mm STB FAQ thread. Look for my post about Blue Moog bushings.

 

So what gathered from that was that all B4U cars have 34mill swaybars, but what size is mine on an SE?