Leaderboard

I just successfully installed rear struts on my 1988 Allante using Luke's Buick Reatta YouTube video as an inspiration. The strange thing is that an Allante doesn't use a rear sway bar so for a Reatta you will need to figure out a Rear Sway Bar Mount. The Strut I used has a location for a sway bar to mount though I don't know if it is even close to working for a Reatta. If you search through this thread, someone did find a sway bar mount that could be retrofitted on a strut Given that the Allante never came with a rear sway bar and the suspension is similar, i have no idea if it is truly required. I guess if you want to join the SCCA and go racing around cones you would probably miss the sway bar Then again, if you actually want to keep up with the Miata's and Civics, an Allante or a Reatta probably shouldn't be your first choice. As to cost of this job. I spent countless hours researching struts, about 3 hours engineering this solution for the first side. The second side took me less than 2 hours start to finish. Parts ran around $200 all in for both sides including 2 upper strut mounts that I didn't use. 1988 Cadillac Allante Rear Stut Replacement.pdf

I just found this post Googling & thought this might help someone, I have a 90 Allante & modified a set of KYB #236003 / 1990 Regal rear struts. The upper stud/mounting and main tube diameter is Identical to original Allante struts & almost the same length. The valving should be close since they are similar size/weight cars, they ride like a new car in mine. You have to remove the lower mounting bracket and add the dimple for the pinch bolt & they bolt right in. You would have to make a mount for a sway bar if needed. I can post more pics of how I did it if anyone's interested.

This solution looks even easier than mine. I didn't look too hard at struts with that type of lower mount since the ones that I saw had a full weld around the bottom plate and I figured it would never come off clean.

I'm happy to see so many people working on this and taking different approaches to finding a solution. Eventually the best solution will rise to the top and the problem of discontinued rear struts will be solved. Good work guys.

I think this the mount that was referred to earlier AA-484-A Clamp-on Shock Mount, Fits 2" Tubing (aa-mfg.com)

Good write up. Thanks for posting the information.