Replacing Front Struts with all new OEM parts, what all is needed to have a completely new assembly?

[ClassFAirspace]

I have decided to go with ACDelco / OEM for my front strut replacement, especially now that Arnott no longer offers a lifetime warranty and ACDelco does. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is piecing together all of the parts myself. I have compiled what I believe to be a thorough list of the components, just looking to see if I am missing anything. Prices are based off of the official GM Parts website that allows for dealer pick up, but I will likely order from RockAuto as it is way cheaper there even after dealer coupons.

Here is the list so far:

- ACDelco Part # 23312165 (Front Spring) - $76/each
- ACDelco Part # 84977478 (Front Shock) - $765/each
- ACDelco Part # 23206863 (Suspension Mount Upper Cup) - $7 each
- ACDelco Part # 23312166 (Suspension Mount) - $147/each
- ACDelco Part # 22905563 (Strut Boot) - $33/each
- ACDelco Part # 84061243 (Spring Upper Seat) $24/each
- GM Part # 11547419 (Suspension Strut Nut) - $8/each


Is there anything else I am missing? I would like to basically re-create an OEM version of the completely new assembly that Arnott sells.

Also, is it necessary to rebuild every last piece? I know some people replace only the strut, but I would prefer to at least replace the spring as well after 138,000 miles I'm sure it is worn as well.

Thank you.

 

[ReaperHWK]

All you need to replace is the shocks and the top nut per the GM instructions. The springs are good unless they are cracked/rusted/bent as well as all the other isolators. They aren’t wear items.

I just did all 4 shocks on mine, 160k miles and all the parts in the strut assembly were good except of course the mag shocks.

I think you’re missing something or your nomenclatures are wrong. A strut assembly contains the spring and the shock. You can’t buy a strut OEM.

 

[ClassFAirspace]

All you need to replace is the shocks and the top nut per the GM instructions. The springs are good unless they are cracked/rusted/bent as well as all the other isolators. They aren’t wear items.

I just did all 4 shocks on mine, 160k miles and all the parts in the strut assembly were good except of course the mag shocks.

I think you’re missing something or your nomenclatures are wrong. A strut assembly contains the spring and the shock. You can’t buy a strut OEM.

Ah, you are indeed correct. I have edited my post to reflect the proper terminology. Thank you for the data, looks like I'll be saving quite a bit of money not having to purchase the extra components. I'll leave the rest of the list as-is in-case anyone else in the future is looking for part numbers.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Ah, you are indeed correct. I have edited my post to reflect the proper terminology. Thank you for the data, looks like I'll be saving quite a bit of money not having to purchase the extra components. I'll leave the rest of the list as-is in-case anyone else in the future is looking for part numbers.

If you’re going to do this yourself go look up some recent posts by me. I posted some tips and instructions. Namely how to take apart the strut, torque values, etc.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I would suggest that you purchase all of the parts associated with the strut assembly itself. Not necessary, but that is what I did at 140,000 miles. Upon completion, my front end was 1/2" higher, so while my springs were not damaged, they do lose some of their strength over time. Simply long-term metal fatigue.

Last, I recommend that you remove your current strut assemblies, take them and all of your new parts to a local repair shop with a heavy duty spring compressor, and pay them the disassemble/reassemble your struts. It won't cost you much, and it will be much safer for you. That's what I did. Some folks do their own spring compression, but if something goes wrong during that operation, you can be severely injured.

 

[ClassFAirspace]

I would suggest that you purchase all of the parts associated with the strut assembly itself. Not necessary, but that is what I did at 140,000 miles. Upon completion, my front end was 1/2" higher, so while my springs were not damaged, they do lose some of their strength over time. Simply long-term metal fatigue.

Last, I recommend that you remove your current strut assemblies, take them and all of your new parts to a local repair shop with a heavy duty spring compressor, and pay them the disassemble/reassemble your struts. It won't cost you much, and it will be much safer for you. That's what I did. Some folks do their own spring compression, but if something goes wrong during that operation, you can be severely injured.

Do you have your complete parts list or notice anything missing in my initial post? Also, did you buy a new electrical connector or just cut and crimp the old one back in?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Do you have your complete parts list or notice anything missing in my initial post? Also, did you buy a new electrical connector or just cut and crimp the old one back in?

You parts list looks complete to me. Electrical connector - assuming that you mean the connectors that connect to the 4 shocks. If you still have your original electrical connectors for your existing shocks, you can reuse them, as they are just plugins.

 

[ClassFAirspace]

Hey ya'll,

I just got my struts back from a mechanic shop. I asked for them to give me back the old components, which I'm glad I did as it looks like they forgot the small black plastic washer that goes above the bump stop.

Is this piece essential? There's only 1 black plastic washer in the leftover parts bag, so I am assuming that they installed it into one strut assembly and forgot to put it into the other. Pictures of the part for reference. It looks like it stops the bump stop from coming too far up the shaft, but I'm not sure how a little black plastic washer would be able to stop all of that force.

I would have liked to get these struts installed tonight as I need the vehicle for work, but I'm leaning towards heading back to the shop in the morning and have them undo everything and install it. Looks like they'll need to re-cut the connector and probably install a new top locking nut as well since those aren't reusable.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Hey ya'll,

I just got my struts back from a mechanic shop. I asked for them to give me back the old components, which I'm glad I did as it looks like they forgot the small black plastic washer that goes above the bump stop.

Is this piece essential? There's only 1 black plastic washer in the leftover parts bag, so I am assuming that they installed it into one strut assembly and forgot to put it into the other. Pictures of the part for reference. It looks like it stops the bump stop from coming too far up the shaft, but I'm not sure how a little black plastic washer would be able to stop all of that force.

I would have liked to get these struts installed tonight as I need the vehicle for work, but I'm leaning towards heading back to the shop in the morning and have them undo everything and install it. Looks like they'll need to re-cut the connector and probably install a new top locking nut as well since those aren't reusable.

Don’t remember that piece when I did mine?


Also, the connector wires should never be cut they pull out of the harness with a pin removal tool and can be inserted back in. If they are cutting wires they are amateurs.