Pontiac Repair: 1998 Monte Carlo, coil spring compressor, rear strut

Question
Hi Tim,
I have a 1998 Monte Carlo w/ 3.1 engine and 286,000 miles. It still runs great but I would like to do a couple of things to keep her running. First I would like to know how to go about changing a rear strut and would I need any special tools. Second I would like to drain the transmission fluid and replace the filter. Would I be able to do this in my garage or do I need to get it up on a lift? Would I have adequete access to the trans pan & strut on this car?
Thanks for your help, Dave.

Answer
both can be done with a jack and jack stands.  For the rear strut there will be three 15mm nuts atop the rear strut tower which will need to be removed this will allow the strut to lower down some.  Next you will need to remove the stabilizer shaft link if equipped.  It may have a sway bar bracket that is connected at the strut to knuckle through bolts, the nuts are 21mm and you will need an air hammer or small sledge hammer to pound them out of the knuckle, once removed you should be able to wiggle the strut out of the wheel well.  The next part is very important as you will need a coil spring compressor to safely compress the spring and remove the strut from it.  Another alternative which might be a good idea at 200,000 miles is a quick strut.  It is an entire strut and spring asssembly made by Monroe.

For the trans fluid change, once the car is off the ground you can remove all the trans pan bolts and then remove the filter, install new filter, reuse the gasket as it is resueable, reinstall pan and fill with roughly 5 quarts of GM trans fluid.

Hope I was able to help, let me know if I can be of further assistance, Tim.