a few questions

white04alero · 01-21-2010, 03:15 AM

alright. i have had some questions about my alero for a while, and i figure its time i ask.

1- i need a new piece to my front end. it's the piece the headlights clip in to. what is this called? Header Panel where do i get one? Bone Yard can i use one from a GA or are these alero-specific? Yes, Alero specific.

2- when buying wheel bearings, is there a specific brand i should avoid? Avoid Ebay brand is there a specific brand i should try to find? how much do quality wheel bearings run? can i just buy bearings like i do for my 78 pickup, or do i have to buy a new hub assembly? Hub assemblies.

3- when replacing struts, can i use the factory springs from the factory struts? Yes do new struts come with new springs? If you buy them that way is there a specific brand that is preferred? are Monroe and Gabriel good brands? is there a brand to avoid? how much do struts usually run?

4- i have a scuff in my headlight from where my sister backed in to me. we fixed the body panels, and got them repainted, but i was too cheap to buy a new light. how do i take the scuff out of the plastic? theres got to be a way to do it.

5- i had close to 15 questions i was going to ask, and now that it's time to type them out, i cant remember any of them except for 1-4. when i think of them, i'll put them here.

thanks in advance, and sorry if some of these questions seem elementary, but i need to ask 'em.

whiterider00 · 01-21-2010, 04:52 AM

1. it is called a header panel. as far as i know it is alero specific. can be picked up at a junk yard or even ebay.
2.avoid ebay brand bearings because you will most likely replace it within a year. not sure what good brands are, but i would imagine an autoparts store brand would be decent and have some sort of warranty on it.
3. yes you can reuse the original spring, as long as its in good shape. lots of them rust out when water and stuff gets underneath the plastic coating. also, the strut is just the shock and mountig surface for the spring. the spring is not technically part of the strut.
4. theres lots of plastic repair/light repair products out there. i believe there are reviews in the product review section. also, a very fine grit sandpaper (1000 or more) could remove some deeper scratches, then go over it with a polishing compound or something similar.
anyway, i hope that at least helps with your questions. thats all from memory, and its almost 4am, so im sure i may have missed something. if i did someone else will let you know.

CBLOHM3400 · 01-21-2010, 09:20 AM

on the struts you can purcahse them either way with springs (more money ) or without springs and reuse your old ones (as long as they are in good shape) but you have to have spring compressor and a few tools (impact helps alot)
also get new stut bearings (the piece on top of the strut that holds it all together)

whiterider00 · 01-21-2010, 01:47 PM

ya, i forgot about the quick-struts. i had those put in my car shortly after i got it because the struts were original, and one of my front springs was broken. with parts and labor (and an employee discount from a friend) i cost me just under $500 for both front. if you can, use the old springs and do it yourself. will be a lot cheaper.

white04alero · 01-21-2010, 01:52 PM

i think that with new front/ rear struts, and new lowering springs, it will cost me about that. as long as monroe or gabriel are good enough. if i have to go KYB GR2, then it will cost a bit more. and i will be doing it myself. spring compressors are only like $35 bucks, and i think a friend of mine has a spare set he'll sell me for less.

JLw7123 · 01-21-2010, 04:21 PM

http://hartford.craigslist.org/pts/1544346929.html here is a parts car.

whiterider00 · 01-22-2010, 02:54 AM

i got my struts from summit. it was around $35 each for front and like $50 each for the rear, or the other way around, i forget. so less than $200 for all of them. and check ebay for springs. i found a set of sprint springs for like $130ish shipped. so my whole set up was like $300 or so.

white04alero · 01-22-2010, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLw7123

http://hartford.craigslist.org/pts/1544346929.html here is a parts car.

lol in hartford?

im in wichita, ks. that's quite a drive for a $20 header panel.

and i will def. check summit for struts. thanks for the idea.

edit: checked summit. i see fronts for 58, rears for 60

Weazel · 01-22-2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white04alero

lol in hartford?

im in wichita, ks. that's quite a drive for a $20 header panel.

and i will def. check summit for struts. thanks for the idea.

edit: checked summit. i see fronts for 58, rears for 60

Quite a drive for you, but I might check it out