I am new to front Wheel Drive world. On the 96 Chevy Lumina Base sedan, not an APV! now has new KYB GR-2/Excl-G struts and new Moog springs and isolator pads on the rear. Now on to the front next.I want to put KYB struts on the front as well. I have found out there are not many choices: no Quick Struts, Easy Struts, or any pre assembled units for this car. Furthermore, there are no struts like I just put on the rear. The only choice is a strut CARTRIDGE. This requires a specific tool to install. Rent or buy. I will rent. Now my question is : can I remove the cartridge and replace without removing the old unit from the car and using the spring compressor and putting in the new one. From some on line instructions, it appears you can remove it on the car.By using the special tool, remove the top plate and remove the old cartridge and insert the new one. reattach top mount and you are done. Is there any need to realign the front end, since you didn't have to remove the strut? Is this the correct strut cartridge procedure as I briefly outlined? Anyone know of a good You Tube vid on front cart. R & R? I have searched for a ETCG and RichPin 06a. No luck!
On 96 Chev Lumi, replace front strut cartridge HOW
- Thread starter Jim Spahr
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no you can't do this on the car.
If this is like a 98 Monte Carlo, the special tool removes the top of the old strut, and you pull the guts out of the old strut. You will need a suction tool also to suck the remaining hydraulic fluid out of the strut housing. The replacement cartridge is inserted inside of the old strut housing. I think you have to remove the bearing cap over the strut that sets the alignment, but if you trace around it with a marker and bolt it back down in the same spot, it should not need realignment.
Browse around here; you might find the answers you're looking for:
http://www.w-body.com/forum.php
I've never done the front struts on my '92 Lumina, but I do recall there are special tools that are required to swap the strut cartridges.
The cartridges come out the top.
The Kent-Moore tool kit the dealers use have a couple of special tools. I think these are some of the tools; I don't know if you'll need all the tools, but I do recall seeing them used in the FSM.
http://www.etoolcart.com/gm-g-body-strut-tool-4533.aspx
http://www.handsontools.com/Kent-Moore-J-38844-Strut-Retaining-Tool-for-W-Car_p_16116.html
There's also a 12-point socket for removing the nut on the top of the cartridge. Here's an ebay posting (it might be expired). It's made so that it can be used with a T-50 Torx bit. You use the Torx bit to keep the strut from spinning while you loosen the nut.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/J35669-KENT-MOOR...9-/160791532763
http://www.w-body.com/forum.php
I've never done the front struts on my '92 Lumina, but I do recall there are special tools that are required to swap the strut cartridges.
The cartridges come out the top.
The Kent-Moore tool kit the dealers use have a couple of special tools. I think these are some of the tools; I don't know if you'll need all the tools, but I do recall seeing them used in the FSM.
http://www.etoolcart.com/gm-g-body-strut-tool-4533.aspx
http://www.handsontools.com/Kent-Moore-J-38844-Strut-Retaining-Tool-for-W-Car_p_16116.html
There's also a 12-point socket for removing the nut on the top of the cartridge. Here's an ebay posting (it might be expired). It's made so that it can be used with a T-50 Torx bit. You use the Torx bit to keep the strut from spinning while you loosen the nut.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/J35669-KENT-MOOR...9-/160791532763
Thanks, Paulo and others for the answers. I am glad I don't have to get a spring compressor and try to compress the spring and take it off to change the strut. The bad news is that I need a new tool that I may only use once or twice. I think I will try to rent it from AZ or O'Reilly's. I read on the new GM w-body forum that you need a different tool to put the new strut back in since the KYB GR 2 is larger than the stock one.
This FWD mechanics is a new world to me. I now see on the front struts, I can go thru the underhood strut towers by removing the metal plate held on by three nuts. Then using the special tools Paulo listed above, and remove the old cartridge and insert a new, in this case a KYB GR-2 strut cartridge, and put it all back together. No spring compressor! and the job is done. I am limited to what items I can replace this way. It looks like the strut mount bushing and the jounce bumper. Anything else? I want to have the items to be replaced on hand so I don't have to order and wait a week for them to come in. I don't want to replace items that done need to be replaced. Here's Auto Zone's step by step and diagrams for replacing front strut cartridges.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairi...900c1528006823b
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairi...900c1528006823b
Well, I have crossed the line of no return. I have placed an order for two KYB GR-2 /Excel G strut cartridges. One problem is to have all the parts needed on hand to replace so you can finish the job quickly and get the car road ready. ( and return the spec. tool!) At this point you have rented the special tool, you have the strut cartridges, but what if you need a new jounce bumper or upper mount and there isn't one at the local AZ or AA? You have to order and wait. I am not certain what exactly comes with the strut cart. The little photo looks like a new nut, washer, and a rubber mount. IOW I don't want to order a part that comes with the strut/cart.
I have two front KYB GR-2 strut cartridges coming tomorrow by FEDX. The problem is AZ, AA, NAPA, and O'Reilly's don't have the rental tools to remove the cartridges. All they have is the spring compressors for rent which I don't need for this project. In the repair guide published by AZ, they list the following tools as needed: J 35668, J 35669, J 35671, J 38844 and a No. 50 Torx. Can anyone give me some ideas on where to rent these tools, except for the 50 Torx which I will buy. I don't want to buy them because this will probably be a one time deal. Are these "J " part numbers GM part numbers?
Originally Posted By: Jim Spahr
I am not certain what exactly comes with the strut cart. The little photo looks like a new nut, washer, and a rubber mount. IOW I don't want to order a part that comes with the strut/cart.
The only parts you'll "need" are the cartridge, oil, a new nut, and possibly a jounce bumper. The cartridge will come with a new nut. You can jack the car up and check the condition of the existing jounce bumper visually before you take anything apart. Chances are if you don't jump the car frequently the original jounce bumpers are just fine. If you needed a new mount or bearing, you would probably know it already from the noises.
Do not expect the new cartridge to come with new oil.
All other hardware such as spring cushions and dust boots that you might like to replace when you see how it looks are completely optional and that sort of thing would require much additional work as well..
I am not certain what exactly comes with the strut cart. The little photo looks like a new nut, washer, and a rubber mount. IOW I don't want to order a part that comes with the strut/cart.
The only parts you'll "need" are the cartridge, oil, a new nut, and possibly a jounce bumper. The cartridge will come with a new nut. You can jack the car up and check the condition of the existing jounce bumper visually before you take anything apart. Chances are if you don't jump the car frequently the original jounce bumpers are just fine. If you needed a new mount or bearing, you would probably know it already from the noises.
Do not expect the new cartridge to come with new oil.
All other hardware such as spring cushions and dust boots that you might like to replace when you see how it looks are completely optional and that sort of thing would require much additional work as well..
The car has been driven easily by my parents so the old parts such as the boot and bumpers should be in good condition. In fact last weekend, when we did the rear struts, RockAuto had sent the wrong Boots = (bellows and jounce bumper) and I just cleaned up and reused the old ones. The old ones were in great shape. The rear top plate was also in good shape. The new KYB strut comes with a new rubber cup device/ not the jounce bumper/ and a new nut with washer. BTW the old REAR strut was worn out at 74K!
Yon, you were right. The four 'J' tools that I listed were Kent-Moore tools and the total from The Tool Source was 694.00, not including shipping and texes,etc.
Yon, you were right. The four 'J' tools that I listed were Kent-Moore tools and the total from The Tool Source was 694.00, not including shipping and texes,etc.
$694 is an awful lot of money to spend on a simple tool you'll only use once or twice. Do a little looking around any you should be able to find the same tool from another vendor for less. If they really are that expensive, maybe another manufacturer has an equivalent. I'm sure you can find something suitable for under $100. If all else fails, consider renting the tool from a mechanic at a front end shop or GM dealership and offer a deposit.
That 694.00 is for four special tools. I have already tried the AZ, Advance Auto, Napa, and O'Reilly's for rentals. No go. My friend has found them for bid on E bay. We'll see.
Sorry to hear that you can’t rent the tools you need.
The first tool you have to have is to remove the 15/16” – 6 sided nut that holds the top of the strut cartridge to the upper mount. The KM tool for this is J 35669 but I have been told a deep offset box wrench will also work. The nut is recessed just deep enough that a 15/16” combination wrench won’t work.
The other tool you have to have is that J 35671 to unscrew the strut cartridge from the strut.
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Automotive-Tools-/34998/i.html?_nkw=Kent-Moore+J35669
I have heard rumors that there is a tutorial with pictures and a video showing how to do this cartridge replacement but have yet to find one.
Good luck.
The first tool you have to have is to remove the 15/16” – 6 sided nut that holds the top of the strut cartridge to the upper mount. The KM tool for this is J 35669 but I have been told a deep offset box wrench will also work. The nut is recessed just deep enough that a 15/16” combination wrench won’t work.
The other tool you have to have is that J 35671 to unscrew the strut cartridge from the strut.
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Automotive-Tools-/34998/i.html?_nkw=Kent-Moore+J35669
I have heard rumors that there is a tutorial with pictures and a video showing how to do this cartridge replacement but have yet to find one.
Good luck.
Ron, the e bay was interesting. one tool, the J 35669 off set 15/16" was by itself 11.39 to 16.50. Very affordable. Then a set of three used K-M tools ( only two were the correct p.n.) were for 99.77 but it didn't label which tools were which on the photo. One of the 3 was an off set 15/16. No J38844 was listed there at all. I have looked and Googled for a vid an haven't found one yet. Sometimes these DIY vid's will mention what special tools are necessary and what can be substituted for common tools. I have esp. searched ETCG and RichPin06a , my favorites.
For all those who read the Auto Zone step by step and couldn't find or didn't want to buy a set of tools you might only use once or twice. Here's the deal. Go to your favorite AZ and request a loan of GM Wide body tool kit no. 27034 on the 'place mat' placard on the bottom left. It is termed GM Wide Body tool kit. It should be GM W-body strut cartridge tool kit. $110.00 for six tools. I am now happy I have all the tools I need according to the AZ writeup. Including the J38844 that no one had. It also has the offset socket and the no. 50 torx bit. You get the 110.00 back plus whatever taxes you paid. 90 day limit as always.
Several problems are: centering the tool J38844 on the old cart. so you can remove the top strut cart. cap ( not the top nut on the rod). The old GM strut is held in place by a no. 50 Torx in the top of the strut rod. The new KYB takes a no. 6 MM allen tool. The thread for the KYB shaft is different than the shaft of the old GM strut rod. So the tools you just rented do not work to install the new KYB strut! You need a diff. allen wrench(6mm) and a different threaded-on-the-inside tool J35668. This tool is threaded to fit over the strut rod to provide leverage to maneuver the strut rod into position. Now you can get the old strut out, but you can't use that tool J35668 to work with the new strut to get it in. You are dead in the water. If you are on a time constraint....IOW you need to drive the car into work the next day,,, you are in trouble. I may have to go into town to get a nut to fit the new KYB rod and make a handle to fit the narrow hole and weld the nut to the handle. IOW create a tool like the J35668 with the threads to fit the KYB.
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