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Post by Dominic on Apr 8, 2015 19:40:43 GMT -6
Hello everyone, Hope you all are doing well in life. I have a question with a problem maybe someone with knowledge can help me with. I have a 2002 3.5 and when hitting a bump at 50+ mph, especially when going into a slight turn on the interstate or when going onto a different road grade i.e. road to bridge the rear end slides a little to the left. It straightens out pretty quick but seems like it could be dangerous. I was told by the guy at Oreilly's when I was buying brake pads that its possibly the rear struts or the sway bar... Anyone else ever have an issue like this ? and if so can anyone tell me what parts exactly would get me by. Just the Sway Bar Bushings Non-Greasable (Universal) Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link ?? Also I have a slight vibration in the steering wheel after replacing the front wheel barrings and turned the rotors and new brake pads... I was not told the rotors were warped or anything after cutting. I read on another thread here it could be the tires needing the be "force balanced" or do I need an Alignment ? I appreciate any input on these subjects, And thanks in advance to anyone that can help me. Its much appreciated! Dominic.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Apr 8, 2015 20:36:09 GMT -6
My '01 did this. Left rear shock wasn't holding air. Replaced with Monroe MA822s, problem solved, at least until the compressor died, lol! Also did rear shock mounts and poly end link bushings all around. I'll have to get back to you with the part #s on those.
Front end vibration is common, and can be hard to pin down. Road force balancing is a great place to start.
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Post by rorafan on Apr 8, 2015 20:52:13 GMT -6
Hi Dominic, Sounds like the guy at Oreilly's had a good idea of what it could be. FWIW, I had almost the exact same experience with the sliding rear end over bumps on a Chrysler Concorde and it did turn out to be a bad strut. I could clearly see one of them was leaking when I checked things over. The Aurora has a rear air suspension so obviously won't leak oil but the shocks can go bad/leak. Is the vibration in the steering wheel at a certain MPH range or anytime you're moving? Or only when on the brakes? These cars seem sensitive to wheel balancing, and yes, I've had the best luck when they are road force balanced. A company called Hunter makes some of the more well-known machines. Most new car dealers and better shops have them. You can even find a shop with one here: www.gsp9700.com/search/findgsp9700.cfm
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Post by Dominic on Apr 9, 2015 0:34:39 GMT -6
Hi Tigger and Rorafan, Thanks for the replies guys. When we had the rear tires off changing the brake pads the struts did look bad, Corroded looking. I live in Illinois so salt on the roads in winter. These were the ones I want to get. www.partsgeek.com/x1g2qc5-oldsmobile-aurora-shock-absorber.html & www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2002/oldsmobile/aurora/suspension/strut_mount.htmlas for the vibration, It starts around 60mph and very noticeable at 70mph or above, So I guess I'll start with the Road force balancing. It wasn't like that before I changed the wheel hub bearings and brakes on the front, Or atleast not that noticeable. The car does pull slightly to the right. What your opinion on replacing these aswell with I do the air shocks... Sway Bar Bushings Non-Greasable & Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link ? And thanks again. Dominic
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Apr 9, 2015 21:01:36 GMT -6
...It wasn't like that before I changed the wheel hub bearings and brakes on the front, Or atleast not that noticeable. Interesting, are you sure you got everything torqued back to spec? The KYB shocks will be good, a little firmer I've heard... Sway bar and end link bushings will give you a better feel too, poly is stiffer than rubber...
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Post by Dominic on Apr 9, 2015 21:21:17 GMT -6
Thanks Tigger, Yea we used a torque wrench after tightening an it was at 118lbs like specified Thanks for the info about the sway bar and link bushings
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Post by aurora2001tan on Apr 10, 2015 10:07:22 GMT -6
go with shocks first. If it still feels like crap you will need to replace the LINKS bars THAT BOLT AROUND THE MIDDLE. Not the little $20 stability links by the rotor.
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Post by Dominic on Apr 12, 2015 23:31:49 GMT -6
Thanks aurora2001tan
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Post by ejohnson03 on Apr 13, 2015 7:53:45 GMT -6
Hey Dom, please post your results and any pics of the process you can. I am in need of this same thing. Will be ordering those same shocks and mounts later this week. Thanks and good luck.
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Post by AmunRoo on Apr 15, 2015 8:48:04 GMT -6
It's the rear shocks... I have the 3.5 with the auto leveling suspension... one of my rear shocks blew and I replaced both. Problem solved. I bought the Monroe replacements from Amazon. Ran me about $56 total. Really easy to replace too... just plug and play.
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Post by Dominic on Apr 20, 2015 20:41:34 GMT -6
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Apr 20, 2015 22:18:27 GMT -6
It's saying if you don't have auto leveling, you need Part# AK29. AK29 is a manual fill air line kit. You don't need it. Those will bolt right up.
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Post by AmunRoo on Apr 21, 2015 13:43:00 GMT -6
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Post by AmunRoo on Apr 21, 2015 13:45:12 GMT -6
Lol, they're the same links. I should have checked the link first! Lol. As long as there is absolutely nothing wrong with your existing tubing and compressor, its just a simple swap. Three bolts on each side.
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Post by Dominic on Apr 21, 2015 16:19:54 GMT -6
Many Thanks tigger and amunroo. I appreciate all the help I'll post pics and let everyone how it goes.
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Post by ejohnson03 on May 1, 2015 21:55:17 GMT -6
Installed new set of Shocks, mounts, and tires in the rear end of my Gen2.
Wow... what a difference.
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Post by Dominic on May 5, 2015 1:32:26 GMT -6
Got the new shocks and changing them was easy, It cleared up my rear end sliding, Nice and smooth now. I forgot to take a picture after they were installed. Old shocks were rusted out bad, I recommend these shocks KYB SR1002, I read good things about them lasting longer than the monroe ones. Thanks to everyone for the help, Its much appreciated.
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Post by ejohnson03 on May 5, 2015 7:23:34 GMT -6
Same ones I installed. Very happy with the results.
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