99 Lumina--Differences in front struts 93 vs 99

[walterdude]

Ran into something kinda wierd. I put KYBs all the way around on my 99 Lumina, basic model, doesn't even have ABS. When checking things out I noticed that the front struts looked alot like the front struts on my 93 Z34. In fact they're the same part number. Now in all the years I've been playing with W-Bodies I've been under the impression that in 97(?) they changed the front ends and you had to pull the whole strut-tower in order to change out the struts.... I figured that since the part numbers matched I'd try to change them the same way I do the 93 Z34, with the car on the ground and removing the plate on top of the tower and going in through the top. Worked like a charm!! Why would everyone say you have to remove the whole strut-tower to do the job (on 97++)??? I mean the struts went in with no problems and the job was done exactly the same way as my Z34,,, using the same tools. I'm not having any problems with the struts,,, OR complaining(!!),,,, just kind of wondering why they say you can't do it the same way........
Tom......
PS: WHAT a difference the KYBs make!!!

[Rhedalert]

Luminas aren't on the Gen-2 w-body platform, so they're basically the same as a gen-1 exept the rear suspension is different, giving the chassis a "1.5" designation by some) until 2001 or whenever they killed the Lumina.

[walterdude]

I went over to W-Body to see if I could find out more.... Lo and behold, on the home page they show the generations.. Sure enough right in between Gen 1 and Gen 2,,,, Gen 1.5. Can't begin to tell how many times I've been there and never noticed.... Oh, well... I never realized the Luminas didn't upgrade along with the rest of the W-Bodies... Wonder why???
Well,a belated thanxXx for the answer,,,,
Tom.....

[Rhedalert]

Chevrolet tends to get some of the more unique platforms. The Beretta/ Corsica comes to mind. They were the only ones to have a car on that platform, none were made for the other divisions.

Basically with the '95 and newer Luminas, they changed the sheetmetal, interior, and rear suspension, along with some minor frame changes to use the different rear suspension.

[pamalita]

I just bougth a 98 lumina and I noticed that it has rear struts not springs
and shocks. The thing kinda makes my derrier do the ellipse while driving--very
soft and not too stable. The rear also sags as if the springs are losing their
stiffness. Are there any heavy duty springs or struts that would correct this
problem and raise the rear end some and provide a stiffer ride--variable rate
struts or some such?