Well I'm finally getting this one up for you, sorry. It's been a busy week and I just haven't had the time to finish this one up but here it is in all its glory. Yes, it is something besides a Honda, in fact it's a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. I do work on other cars just not that often since I know Honda's and Acura's so well. I hope to do a broad range of videos covering a wide range of subjects so keep watching, eventually I'll get to your request. For now enjoy this video and if you use the spring compressors I did in this video be careful, like I said in the video I've seen people get hurt doing this do take it seriously. Part 2 www.youtube.com Visit me at EricTheCarGuy.com anytime ericthecarguy.com Stay dirty ETCG Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from ...
Since this is part 2 I will trust that you saw part one. If not, here is a link to part 1. www.youtube.com Visit me at EricTheCarGuy.com anytime ericthecarguy.com As always, stay dirty ETCG Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy. Video Rating: 4 / 5
@EricTheCarGuy.....um actually i had the popping sound before i had the rod end and ball joint replaced and i thought by replacing them the sound would go away but it didn't....so should i go with what u said earler and have my friend turn the steering wheel while its jacked up??.....
@Bigroberto2008 Lets see if I can help. If the noise showed up after you did the tie rod work then I would look there, it's probably not a bad idea to jack the front end up and wiggle the wheels to see if there's anything loose. If you don't find anything loose I might check the upper strut mounts as they have a bearing assembly in them that allows the strut to pivot when you turn the wheel. You might verify this if you have someone turn the wheel while you listen to the top of the strut.
hey man great vid and i need some help.....lucky for me ur working on a grand am, mines is a 1996 se model 2.4L...i recently replaced my ball joints and rod ends, but for some strange reason there is a popping sound in my car, it pops EVERY single time i turn my steering wheel, i wanted to also state that the shocks have been replaced not long ago, maybe a little a year now, so is it my struts that are bad?? Because i'm a careful driver and i dont think its my axle or anything else....
@elantra11 In part 2 I show "priming" the struts as you describe. I know of the quick struts and I've installed them myself, in fact if you don't have a proper spring compressor I highly recommend using those. Thanks for your comment.
Amazing video and especially the comments. Question - as far as I know, before installing new struts, it`s recommended to pump shaft several times switching strut position from normal to upside down...any advantage of doing that ? And also, there`re co-called "quick struts" out there - already pre-assembled struts with everything included.
@EricTheCarGuy yeah, climbing poles is real sketchy where i work. its old school and everything is real corroded (steel strands/guide wires). out on the coast in california (morro bay, cayucos, cambria). get some awesome views up there most of the time. watching this video made me realize I need some air tools!
i was getting real nervous watching you compress the spring. you reminded me of how i triple check my gear before climbing some super sketchy telephone pole.
@EricTheCarGuy hey thanks Eric, I figured out the problem, whoever put the struts on before didnt fully tighten the rod nut on the upper mount, which was creating a space, and then when I was going over little bumps it would rattle. So I just took it all out and tightened it up, and saved a lot of money. thanks again.
@dustees7mm First be sure it is the strut that is the cause of the noise and not something else. Jack the front wheels up and try to "wiggle" the wheels top to bottom and side to side and feel for looseness. You may also want to try prying up on the lower ball joint to check for play. Lastly take a close look at the stabilizer links to see if they are broken as this is a very common cause of a clunk going over bumps. If you see oil residue on the outside of the strut it's probably bad.
My struts are making a clunking noise. Is it possible that my strut has empty place inside the cylinder? I noticed the new strut I purchased, the rod I is about an inch or so higher then the old one. I'm still dont know for sure whats making the noise. I'm thinking that once i put the upper mount back on, and let the spring expand again it is lifting the rod up an inch or so creating that empty space where there is no resistance from the fluids inside the strut. Any suggestions?
@flacovilla48 It's not too long but rather that you probably have to move the lower mount to install it. The bushings at rest and the stabilizer bar tend to come up when they don't have a strut to hold them in place. A long pry-bar on the lower control arm usually helps.
@musicman12054 Compressors are rated in CFM (CubicFeetperMinuite), look at your air tool and find out what the minimum CFM is for that and buy a compressor that meets the needs of your tool.
I figured as much Eric. I have a hand me down air compressor that's on the fritz, seems it always turns on to fill the first tank of air but then when it needs to refill you can hear it buzz, not start, get to hot and shut off. It was never strong enough to remove a lug nut. I'm shopping for a new one (portable), can you recommended what to look for as far as minimum strength to take lug nuts off. (horsepower and psi is it? Thank you
@musicman12054 Absolutely, in fact I did a video on torquing cylinder head bolts and wheels. If your wondering why I don't torque things during this kind of work it's because I really haven't found a need to. That's not to say there aren't specs for this stuff but even at the factory they use air tools to assemble this stuff, air tools can be pretty consistent in their torque if the air pressure is constant so don't rule them out. I've used them in this manner for years without incident.
Hey Eric, thanks for you responses. By torque values I meant to ask was, " do you ever go by what the manuals require for torque settings?". i.e 70'pound etc..
@shieldcracker Not on this type, if the bolts going through the knuckle are 'cam bolts' meaning they have an eccentric shank, then yes, mark the bolts, if they go straight through like these don't worry about it. Great question and comment.
This is perfect. I just found out my similar Grand Am needs new struts, first thing I did was check to see if you had a video on just struts in general to get an idea but now I'll know exactly how for my car. Awesome.
@TeDuaMalakie I don't think you would damage the spring but you might get hurt as a spring compressed in that manner is very dangerous and should be avoided.
thank you ! you really taught me a precious thing, this McPherson suspension is a pain in the ass. :D , i wonder .. i do not damage the spring if i squeeze it this unbalanced way !?!.
@gar5952010 An impact does make the job go a lot smoother but you can do it without one, just be mindful of moving the strut assembly around as you remove the nut with the spring compressed. You might consider breaking the upper nut loose while the strut is still on the car on the ground so that you don't have to worry about doing it with the spring compressed.
@genepierson It's not so much for safety purposes but rather it's just good practice. Whenever you renew anything in the suspension system i's a good idea to do both sides to maintain a balance.
@volleyballdude33 You can use wrenches to tighten these it just takes forever. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteIf you cannot afford an air tool they do make spring compressors that are tigtened via wrenches or ratchets
ReplyDelete@Bigroberto2008 Not jacked up, you want the weight of the car on it so that you can hear the noise.
ReplyDelete@EricTheCarGuy.....um actually i had the popping sound before i had the rod end and ball joint replaced and i thought by replacing them the sound would go away but it didn't....so should i go with what u said earler and have my friend turn the steering wheel while its jacked up??.....
ReplyDelete@Bigroberto2008 Lets see if I can help. If the noise showed up after you did the tie rod work then I would look there, it's probably not a bad idea to jack the front end up and wiggle the wheels to see if there's anything loose. If you don't find anything loose I might check the upper strut mounts as they have a bearing assembly in them that allows the strut to pivot when you turn the wheel. You might verify this if you have someone turn the wheel while you listen to the top of the strut.
ReplyDeletehey man great vid and i need some help.....lucky for me ur working on a grand am, mines is a 1996 se model 2.4L...i recently replaced my ball joints and rod ends, but for some strange reason there is a popping sound in my car, it pops EVERY single time i turn my steering wheel, i wanted to also state that the shocks have been replaced not long ago, maybe a little a year now, so is it my struts that are bad?? Because i'm a careful driver and i dont think its my axle or anything else....
ReplyDelete@SubaruB4RSK Yea, that was a good one. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeletehaha great two part video haha it's happy to see me
ReplyDelete@elantra11 In part 2 I show "priming" the struts as you describe. I know of the quick struts and I've installed them myself, in fact if you don't have a proper spring compressor I highly recommend using those. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteAmazing video and especially the comments.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - as far as I know, before installing new struts, it`s recommended to pump shaft several times switching strut position from normal to upside down...any advantage of doing that ?
And also, there`re co-called "quick struts" out there - already pre-assembled struts with everything included.
@Lumixster A little bit of fear can be healthy.
ReplyDeletelol very cool man, for a moment there u had a bit of a fear on ur face but got thru without hick up lol
ReplyDelete@86colon Thanks for that.
ReplyDeletedude your awesome and funny as hell good stuff bud keep it up!
ReplyDelete@lungduck That sounds cool, you should take some pics if you have a free hand.
ReplyDelete@EricTheCarGuy yeah, climbing poles is real sketchy where i work. its old school and everything is real corroded (steel strands/guide wires). out on the coast in california (morro bay, cayucos, cambria). get some awesome views up there most of the time. watching this video made me realize I need some air tools!
ReplyDelete@lungduck Yea the point was to illustrate how dangerous using this type of tool can be. Climbing telephone poles sounds dangerous too.
ReplyDeletei was getting real nervous watching you compress the spring. you reminded me of how i triple check my gear before climbing some super sketchy telephone pole.
ReplyDeletecounter clockwise to un lock,,,
ReplyDelete@dustees7mm Excellent!!! Through observation and diagnosis you solved the problem, you have learned well. Great job.
ReplyDelete@EricTheCarGuy hey thanks Eric, I figured out the problem, whoever put the struts on before didnt fully tighten the rod nut on the upper mount, which was creating a space, and then when I was going over little bumps it would rattle. So I just took it all out and tightened it up, and saved a lot of money. thanks again.
ReplyDelete@dustees7mm First be sure it is the strut that is the cause of the noise and not something else. Jack the front wheels up and try to "wiggle" the wheels top to bottom and side to side and feel for looseness. You may also want to try prying up on the lower ball joint to check for play. Lastly take a close look at the stabilizer links to see if they are broken as this is a very common cause of a clunk going over bumps. If you see oil residue on the outside of the strut it's probably bad.
ReplyDeleteMy struts are making a clunking noise. Is it possible that my strut has empty place inside the cylinder? I noticed the new strut I purchased, the rod I is about an inch or so higher then the old one. I'm still dont know for sure whats making the noise. I'm thinking that once i put the upper mount back on, and let the spring expand again it is lifting the rod up an inch or so creating that empty space where there is no resistance from the fluids inside the strut.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions?
@flacovilla48 It's not too long but rather that you probably have to move the lower mount to install it. The bushings at rest and the stabilizer bar tend to come up when they don't have a strut to hold them in place. A long pry-bar on the lower control arm usually helps.
ReplyDeleteThe only issue i always have is trying to reinstall the strut on the car. Its always to long
ReplyDelete@colliecandle Thanks for the comment, glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteexcellent advice - great commentary and clear concise video Thanks for the knowledge
ReplyDelete@musicman12054 Compressors are rated in CFM (CubicFeetperMinuite), look at your air tool and find out what the minimum CFM is for that and buy a compressor that meets the needs of your tool.
ReplyDeleteI figured as much Eric. I have a hand me down air compressor that's on the fritz, seems it always turns on to fill the first tank of air but then when it needs to refill you can hear it buzz, not start, get to hot and shut off. It was never strong enough to remove a lug nut.
ReplyDeleteI'm shopping for a new one (portable), can you recommended what to look for as far as minimum strength to take lug nuts off. (horsepower and psi is it?
Thank you
@musicman12054 Absolutely, in fact I did a video on torquing cylinder head bolts and wheels. If your wondering why I don't torque things during this kind of work it's because I really haven't found a need to. That's not to say there aren't specs for this stuff but even at the factory they use air tools to assemble this stuff, air tools can be pretty consistent in their torque if the air pressure is constant so don't rule them out. I've used them in this manner for years without incident.
ReplyDeleteHey Eric, thanks for you responses. By torque values I meant to ask was, " do you ever go by what the manuals require for torque settings?". i.e 70'pound etc..
ReplyDelete@musicman12054 I'm not sure what you mean by 'torque values', any chance you could give me more info?
ReplyDelete@shieldcracker Not on this type, if the bolts going through the knuckle are 'cam bolts' meaning they have an eccentric shank, then yes, mark the bolts, if they go straight through like these don't worry about it. Great question and comment.
ReplyDelete@WG587 It's always nice to have what someone is looking for. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. I just found out my similar Grand Am needs new struts, first thing I did was check to see if you had a video on just struts in general to get an idea but now I'll know exactly how for my car. Awesome.
ReplyDelete@TeDuaMalakie I don't think you would damage the spring but you might get hurt as a spring compressed in that manner is very dangerous and should be avoided.
ReplyDeletethank you ! you really taught me a precious thing, this McPherson suspension is a pain in the ass. :D , i wonder .. i do not damage the spring if i squeeze it this unbalanced way !?!.
ReplyDelete@TheFlybyboy1 Sounds very similar to a Lincoln.
ReplyDelete@sammywhiteass You should not have to remove the calipers to change out the struts. Just be careful not to stretch the brake hose as you work.
ReplyDeleteWhen replacing the strut, do you recommend the the calipers be removed??
ReplyDelete@Rolandg07 Glad I could help, it's always nice to hear so thanks for taking the time to comment.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again for your advise , i ll keep that in mind and believe me youve been a great help .
ReplyDelete@gar5952010 An impact does make the job go a lot smoother but you can do it without one, just be mindful of moving the strut assembly around as you remove the nut with the spring compressed. You might consider breaking the upper nut loose while the strut is still on the car on the ground so that you don't have to worry about doing it with the spring compressed.
ReplyDelete@genepierson It's not so much for safety purposes but rather it's just good practice. Whenever you renew anything in the suspension system i's a good idea to do both sides to maintain a balance.
ReplyDeletehey thanks for your video on replacing front struts . i wish i had the impact wrench but i cant ask for more . thanks a bunch and work safe.
ReplyDeleteI read you need to replace both sides (both right and left strut) when replacing one for safety purposes. Maybe you mentioned that and I missed it.
ReplyDelete@41spencer Glad I could help, thanks for the comment.
ReplyDelete