1988 Buick Electra Estate

Yeah, Kev....gas struts.

EDIT:
Oh, and by the way, there is a lot of torque pressure on them so they fail often in a short time.

 

Seems to me you should be able to retrofit the earlier hinges with good long lasting springs in place of the later ones with the gas struts.

 

I can't see any point in that. The struts work just fine and are cheap enough to replace.

 

Yes, gas struts.


Sorry to read about all this hassle and BS, Alps

 

Hello all
Ran the wagon thru it's mechanical check up today.
The smog shop bypassed more vaccum lines than they left connected, but that's what the shop manual is good for.
Drove it for 30 minutes with a chase car just in case but no problem.

The following items don't work:
antenna- stuck
air cond.- compressor off, tripping the low press. switch.
pulled wheels- front brakes are shot= pads/rotors/calipers.
rear shoes ready for change
trans fluid needs to be serviced
Had rattle noise when driving/ found source: roof rack center strips broke loose from top = two 50 cent sized rust holes in center of roof.
Cruise Control inop.
door locks inop.

But their's hope:
All windows work
both seats and the power recline work
electronic HVAC works
all lights work
new muffler
now has new hood struts & gas cap

Pictures to follow on Thursday

 

Power recline? Didn't even know you could get that option. I thought it was only a 'regular' power passenger-side seat. I've got a 6-way on the driver's side, but no power on the right, and only a manual recline lever.

 

You are lucky to have that, KK. The one thing I did not like about my 88 Electra wagon was that it didn't recline like most cars....the whole seat tipped back and forth. I could NOT EVER figure out why they did it that way but my back suffered. By playing with the controls I could get it close to the right spot but could never get the back to go back separately from the seat. Did everything else but that. Now here's the clincher...the passenger seat was power also....and had a manual lever to recline the seat back!!

 

Hello Krash & Silverfox
If you look at the auction picture of the interior with the passenger door open you will see the power seat controls on the door panel and a tiny little switch on the side of the seat that's for the power recliner. My 83 LeSabre coupe has it also. I also found out this wagon has power mirrors too.

I have a 1967 Lincoln Coupe with a 6 way power bench seat with a power recline option for the passenger side. When you recline the seat back the headrest moves up and down electically also.

 

Todays update

Found and purchased left head light bezel on ebay. Also bought the bumper fillers for both front and rear. I listed a few parts still needed in the wanted section.

No sun today so no pictures yet.

 

If you can, post up some pics and info on those fillers when they come in. I was on Replica Plastics website, and they state their fillers are fiberglas. I really would prefer a flexable plastic like the original (urethane?).

 

Alph...if they are still in there...did you notice how thick and plush the carpeting is in those Electras?? I've never seen better and they have an under carpet, too, that is an additional sound deadener along with that thick upper carpet. The carpets in those cars are gorgeous and unsurpassed.