Leaderboard

Just got off the phone with Dan at Monroe. As we know the rear struts are discontinued. However I asked if there he could check with the engineering department to see if there was another strut out there with the approximately same specifications [tube diameter and length, rod diameter, length and strut resistance]. I explained that having the mounting ears was not important as we could fabricate that because the ears sole function is to hold the sway bar in place. Here is the rub, we have to depend on him doing the work, there is no way I can talk to engineering or can I call back and ask to speak to Dan. We get to speak to whomever picks up the phone, there is no transferring calls at the help desk. He did take my contact information so that might be a plus. So we get to wait...

wow Ronnie, now that I see a strut close up it doesn't look like we can fabricate something easily. We can still wait and see what the guy from Monroe can do for us.

What about the diameter of the body and rod? The OEM strut has some unique features on the body that keeps it in place. I wonder if the replacement has the same? One important thing is the body diameter to keep the same clamping force on the body by the bracket on the knuckle the body slides into. There is also a tab and a depression on the bottom of the body for alignment and to keep it from sliding through the clamp. I imagine the strut puts a lot of force on the clamp when you hit a large bump. There is hardly room to even get a wrench in the space at the top strut mount so any modifications up there is going to be a problem.

Will try tomorrow.

@DAVES89 It would be great to use the correct strut for the application (minus the sway link attachment). Attachment for the link should be simple enough all things considered. I would purchase a set or two if we can get a part number from Gabriel. @Ronnie Appreciate the detailed information. Hopefully DAVES89 conversation with Gabriel can come up with something.

Although the rear suspension has a component that looks like a shock, it is actually a strut in the fact that it is designed to play an important role in keeping the rear wheel in alignment. It is basically what controls the camber of the rear wheel as it goes up and down. When you remove the strut, the knuckle will just flop over as shown in the photo below. I have the wooden blocks under the knuckle to prevent it from pivoting out too far out and putting a strain on the cables and hose attached to it. The strut has a larger diameter rod than a regular shock that is rigid enough to keep the knuckle in alignment when the wheel is on the ground. I don't know if it would be as simple as just fabricating a new shock mount to accept a gas shock. I think a gas shock would have a smaller diameter rod that might flex or bend when hitting a large pot hole or bump in the road. It's not too hard to bottom out the suspension on a Reatta in those situations resulting in even more stress on the rod. It will be interesting to see what you come up with.