GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

No advice needed, just a report on a solved problem. I replaced rear struts yesterday and nearly had to come here for advice but I figured it out. (07 base model).

I got all the nuts loose, but the 14mm bolt head that screws up from below was jammed against the coil spring. I have not done many of these and didn't know how to proceed. I finally realized the spring had shifted along wih its rubber base. Is this common?

I ended up successful with my 2' crowbar, prying the spring a few mm over to make room for a socket wall. That's much easier to say than do, and I have a small forehead cut from the fender skirt .

The new struts are about 50% heavier than the old ones and about 3 cm longer.

The new struts are about 50% heavier than the old ones and about 3 cm longer.

Must be Monroe quick struts.

Does the car sit any higher than it did before your replaced the strut assemblies? New springs I take it, how much higher does the rear sit now?

I didn't measure height, but I perceive a slight increase. I haven't driven it yet, but my wife says it handles differently.

I got these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Rear-Complet ... 2749.l2649

If the ebay picture is of the actual strut then the spring has 9 windings, one more than the original. The Monroe struts have an extra winding as well and they are taller than the original.