After buying Monroe road magics and not fitting I had to try this brand that the shop didn't say to buy, they said buy Monroe loaded like I first bought.
This brand cost more, almost double, but they fit as they should with a lot of effort and extra hands and pry bars to lower the suspension arm down and large screwdrivers to try to help align the holes. There was no way I could install these alone at all.
Note about the non threaded holes for brake hose and for speed sensor cable, the old bolt cuts new threads into non threaded holes and works perfectly. No need to get upset and run to hardware store for different bolts.
The springs on these had the same amount of turns as stock and the bellow cover everything unlike Monroe.
The only way either brand struts would be plug n play is if they were about an inch and a half shorter. Even with a 3 foot pry bar I could only move the control arm down about three quarters of and inch.
I almost was going to rent spring compressors to get these installed.
They appear to be of decent quality for a no name brand to me. Time will tell how well they are built. The ride will always raise your vehicle because coil springs sag with time. My application was replacing stock twenty year old struts that had a failed lower spring support the allowed the spring and lower support to sit and ride on top of shoulder of drivers side tire. It rusted out where the weld is that hold the cradle to the strut.
I did notice with both brands the placement of the steer knuckle clamp was lower on the strut than stock oem was. Monroe was off the most. There are not enough buying options to find the exact fitment as oem, so we made these fit. Other than installing them and fitment issues, the wrong length will only affect the half axle and tie rods when the car is hoisted off of the ground. I did install springs over shocks new on back of the car when we first bought it as the rear air ride shocks were blown out. They raised the rear of the car a lot, so now the car sits up evenly with new coil springs in the front.
I was glad these struts were sold as a pair as they should match the closest in ride and it forces you to replace both as they should be.
So far all is good. Should they fail, I'll be back to update for you.
| Manufacturer | Detroit Axle |
|---|---|
| Brand | Detroit Axle |
| Item Weight | 24 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 25 x 9 x 20 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 171685 x2 |
| Position | Front |
| Special Features | Replacement For 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Buick LeSabre, 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Buick Lucerne, 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Cadillac DTS, 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Cadillac Deville, 2001 2002 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora,, strut,struts, Replacement for 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 pontiac Bonneville |
