Need Strut...

Hey guys- blew a strut last week... BIG pothole, destroyed rim, tire, etc...

Now, I bought new rims all around, and tires, mounted and balanced, I will be installing them in about 3 hours.

I need to replace the strut. I have never done so...

Is it an easy do-it-yourself? I doubt it but if someone says yes I may try it.

Should I replace both fronts at the same time?
How much will a basic replacement cost me?

Heres my new set of rims:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheel...lpnt_ci3_l.jpg

4 New Fuzion HRi tires on them too.

Congrats on the new rims and tires but sorry to hear about the damage. Struts are not available aftermarket yet so you have to go to the dealer. For 2006 they stiffened up the front struts so get 06 struts and be sure to get both fronts otherwise your ride might not be quite so safe.

As for difficulty if you have a spring compressor and are good with standard mechanical it's just like switching out any other front strut... well any other german vw type front strut.

If you were in Vegas, I'd do it for $75.

fairley simple job, just take your time. Nice rims

http://chevy.mrmax.dp.ua/EN/GMDE_TIS_START.html

all the direction you need.

YES change BOTH OUT. you will be happy if you do. i changed 1 out on my GEO and with in 2 months the other went out so i had to pay 2x what i would have if i did it all at once. hard lesson to learn

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Originally Posted by B1rdbrain

YES change BOTH OUT. you will be happy if you do. i changed 1 out on my GEO and with in 2 months the other went out so i had to pay 2x what i would have if i did it all at once. hard lesson to learn

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x2

Got the rims installed, see pics below.
That site is for Daewoo... I am correct in saying our car is the Kalos right? Why do I hear things about Lanos? What is the difference?

Anyway, I think I can pull off the strut myself. I don't have a spring compressor, but I bet if I took the old strut to the place I'll get the new ones, they'll move the springs for me.
That site says I need a ball joint remover- can I rent one @ autozone, or could I do it without one?

Thanks for the help guys...


http://home.comcast.net/~dpawl31/OCN/wheel.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dpawl31/OCN/tread.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dpawl31/OCN/side.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dpawl31/OCN/rotors.jpg

The Lanos is the hatch and I believe the Kalos is the sedan...but I'd bet the suspension components are probably the same :?:

I'm sure you can borrow a pickle fork from an auto parts store

NOnono! The kalos is the new model style and the Lanos is the old model, 2002 being the most recent. All in all it's pretty much the same. Kalos is what the Aveo is called on the other side of the pond.

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Originally Posted by ontarian_frog

NOnono! The kalos is the new model style and the Lanos is the old model, 2002 being the most recent. All in all it's pretty much the same. Kalos is what the Aveo is called on the other side of the pond.

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There are a lot of differences between the lanos and the aveo. Interior, exterior, front suspension, rear suspension, steering rack, head, intake, in fact there is not much that's the same. Maybe the block is the same, that's the only thing I can think of. The oil pan is even different.

Now why do people say the lanos is the same as the Aveo? What's the same about it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by subachad

Now why do people say the lanos is the same as the Aveo? What's the same about it?

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It's the predecessor to the Kalos, an earlier body style that's all. That's why I said it was the same. Cars with the same name, but will have different body style will be massively overhauled. Like a 2004 Impala and a 2007 Impala. Nothing is the same about them, yet they have the same name.

Thanks for the help/replies guys.

So I got an email from MassHighway in response to me claim for repairs reimbursement.

It was in a strange file format and had to open in notepad, but the jist of it is it seems it has to be in writing and mailed to the department, not emailed. So I shall do that.

I really like the way it rides right now, but I would like some better cornering, like on ramps to highways, it tilts quite a bit in the front.
If I got the '06 struts that should help there right? Are they REALLY hard? Will it ruin the ride of the car? I would assume its only a slight change, and just a bit of improvement.

Oh and I am still wondering what the deal with the ball joint remover is, do I really need that? As far as I can tell from that site, I just need some sockets, a spring compressor (if I dont have a mechanic swap the spings) and maybe a ball joint remover?

OK, I stand corrected...but I do know the Canadian 2007 Suzuki Swift+ is the same as the US Chevy Aveo hatch

Anybody else with some tips on struts?

I got a PM from someone on here in which I will keep his name private, but he is telling me I am just a moron and can't drive a stick.

To that, I say:
200,000+ miles driving a standard vehicle (ATV/Motorcycle/Car/Truck/18Wheeler-twice, but I've done it)

Never damaged ANY transmission.
Never replaced a clutch. (Except for the 89 F250 that still had the original)


The pot hole was UN-AVOIDABLE. I was in the left lane on the highway, 65MPH Zone doing maybe 57mph.
I had cars on my right and one pretty much tailgating me. I would have rather have him hit me and get the insurance to cover everything than deal with a destroyed rim, tire, strut, and now have to go after the state. But I didn't have time to brake, it was on a downslope over a bridge, and the pothole is MASSIVE, I can't go back to take a picture of it for the state because there is no break down lane.

He's telling me I can't drive a stick, and that's why I destroyed my strut.
What the heck is that? I could not avoid it. And also- I have hit potholes in quite a few vehicles, and yes, they may have hit hard, but never have I done damage to a rim, nevermind a strut. This was a BIG hole, it seemed to be a recent "cave in" style hole, as if water was underneath and the road eventually gave way.

So, with that being said- DO I need a ball joint remover, and how much do you think an Aveo Strut goes for? If I get the '04 strut I should not have to replace the passenger side, correct?

who cares what some dope says about your driving ability...you hit a pot hole, period

Now you need to replace the struts...sounds liek you need to call the dealer and get some pricing

Yep, dope would be the correct description.
Glad someone else on here agrees to just drop it! :D

Should I go for the '06 struts? (stiffer, I heard?)

You think I could trick them into warranting the strut? :D

I did the front springs on mine and dont remember needing a ball joint remover. Even the ball joints I have changed, I didn't need a ball joint remover. The trick is to use a 2.5 pound hammer on it. Not directly on it, you'll jack up the threads, but to hit the side where you won't mess it up. Usually on the metal control arm. The vibrations cause it to fall out.

Hah, thanks for the tip!

yeah dont use those dam forks, i have heard of so many people useing them and ****ing up and riping a whole in the rubber of the joint. what chad says is legit, you are not going to bend anything. just give it some good wacks.
good luck

Quote:

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Originally Posted by subachad

I did the front springs on mine and dont remember needing a ball joint remover. Even the ball joints I have changed, I didn't need a ball joint remover. The trick is to use a 2.5 pound hammer on it. Not directly on it, you'll jack up the threads, but to hit the side where you won't mess it up. Usually on the metal control arm. The vibrations cause it to fall out.

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Could you use a deep socket over the threads and whack the socket? (protecting the threads but getting a solid square hit on it.)