Shock/Strut Suggestions?
05-26-2015, 07:38 PM
#1
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Shock/Strut Suggestions?
Need to replace the shocks on a '98 Max SE with 100K miles.
This is a "daily driver" and not driven very hard and reasonable price is an issue. But, I'd like to get something comparable to the less bouncy SE ride vs. the GLE ride.
Suggestions?
This is a "daily driver" and not driven very hard and reasonable price is an issue. But, I'd like to get something comparable to the less bouncy SE ride vs. the GLE ride.
Suggestions?
06-03-2015, 02:14 PM
#3
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06-03-2015, 02:18 PM
#4
KYB AGX struts have adjustable stiffness, 4 levels in the front and 8 in the back. Idk if they are the "best" struts out there, but i had them on my last car and i have nothing but good things to say about them.
06-03-2015, 05:11 PM
#5
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$$$
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?ck[ID]=0&ck[idlist]=0&ck[viewcurrency]=USD&ck[PHP_SESSION_ID]=jc68k4kbk9tim58anlmsuns6b3
In my experience with suspension, you get what you pay for (usually anyways). No need to upgrade but don't go with the cheapest OEM option, sometimes they have defects or harder fitment or go out quicker etc.
Sucks you have to replace the sturts so early in this car's life, my '91 Honda CRX has 300,000 on it and the suspension has hardly been messed with.
In my experience with suspension, you get what you pay for (usually anyways). No need to upgrade but don't go with the cheapest OEM option, sometimes they have defects or harder fitment or go out quicker etc.
Sucks you have to replace the sturts so early in this car's life, my '91 Honda CRX has 300,000 on it and the suspension has hardly been messed with.
06-03-2015, 06:22 PM
#6
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http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?ck[ID]=0&ck[idlist]=0&ck[viewcurrency]=USD&ck[PHP_SESSION_ID]=jc68k4kbk9tim58anlmsuns6b3
In my experience with suspension, you get what you pay for (usually anyways). No need to upgrade but don't go with the cheapest OEM option, sometimes they have defects or harder fitment or go out quicker etc.
Sucks you have to replace the sturts so early in this car's life, my '91 Honda CRX has 300,000 on it and the suspension has hardly been messed with.
In my experience with suspension, you get what you pay for (usually anyways). No need to upgrade but don't go with the cheapest OEM option, sometimes they have defects or harder fitment or go out quicker etc.
Sucks you have to replace the sturts so early in this car's life, my '91 Honda CRX has 300,000 on it and the suspension has hardly been messed with.
Are you sure that CRX is still even factory stiff? Most cars these days pass the old fashioned "bounce test" - but if you pull a strut out and more the spring, you find that they are dead or close to it.
06-04-2015, 06:24 AM
#7
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Location: Hyde Park, NY
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Stay away from KYB GR2's if you don't want the stiff ride... I have a 99 SE, and when I changed struts I went with these.. stiffer than stock SE struts, which annoyed me at first, but after 40K miles they seem to be ok (or maybe I just got used to them)...
06-04-2015, 08:17 AM
#8
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Interesting. I was guessing that the GR2's would be about stock in stiffness. Good to know.
06-04-2015, 07:14 PM
#10
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I know the aftermarket guys don't usually distinguish... but I'm curious as to how that fits into the scheme.
06-04-2015, 07:48 PM
#11
I looked at the parts listings and it is kind of confusing. On the coil springs, the auto trans and manual trans cars get different springs. The model of GLE, GXE or SE doesn't make any difference, just the transmission.
On the struts, the GLE and GXE use one strut and the SE uses another. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U73, it is TOKICO. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U64 it is UNISIA JECS. If the strut is stamped 54302-31U75 it is neither of the above. These numbers are not the Nissan part numbers, just a manufacturer ID (I guess) and do have different Nissan part numbers.
Lastly, the SE model gets a thicker (stiffer) sway bar.
On the struts, the GLE and GXE use one strut and the SE uses another. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U73, it is TOKICO. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U64 it is UNISIA JECS. If the strut is stamped 54302-31U75 it is neither of the above. These numbers are not the Nissan part numbers, just a manufacturer ID (I guess) and do have different Nissan part numbers.
Lastly, the SE model gets a thicker (stiffer) sway bar.
06-04-2015, 10:36 PM
#12
I installed Sensen shocks and struts on my '96 almost two years and 23,150 miles ago. They are still performing great. They are (still) stiffer then most OEM, judging by the reviews I’ve read. The struts I replaced were at 289K, so I cant really comment on how they compare to new OEM.
My install
Sensen struts $103
Last edited by asand1; 06-04-2015 at 10:40 PM.
06-05-2015, 11:46 AM
#13
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+1
I installed Sensen shocks and struts on my '96 almost two years and 23,150 miles ago. They are still performing great. They are (still) stiffer then most OEM, judging by the reviews I’ve read. The struts I replaced were at 289K, so I cant really comment on how they compare to new OEM.
I installed Sensen shocks and struts on my '96 almost two years and 23,150 miles ago. They are still performing great. They are (still) stiffer then most OEM, judging by the reviews I’ve read. The struts I replaced were at 289K, so I cant really comment on how they compare to new OEM.
06-05-2015, 11:47 AM
#14
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I looked at the parts listings and it is kind of confusing. On the coil springs, the auto trans and manual trans cars get different springs. The model of GLE, GXE or SE doesn't make any difference, just the transmission.
On the struts, the GLE and GXE use one strut and the SE uses another. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U73, it is TOKICO. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U64 it is UNISIA JECS. If the strut is stamped 54302-31U75 it is neither of the above. These numbers are not the Nissan part numbers, just a manufacturer ID (I guess) and do have different Nissan part numbers.
Lastly, the SE model gets a thicker (stiffer) sway bar.
On the struts, the GLE and GXE use one strut and the SE uses another. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U73, it is TOKICO. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U64 it is UNISIA JECS. If the strut is stamped 54302-31U75 it is neither of the above. These numbers are not the Nissan part numbers, just a manufacturer ID (I guess) and do have different Nissan part numbers.
Lastly, the SE model gets a thicker (stiffer) sway bar.
06-05-2015, 03:59 PM
#15
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Yeah, understood on the suspension quality vs. price. But, this isn't the sort of car that needs Koni's either. So... I just need to get back to factory level for this car. But at the same time, I know some aftermarket stuff is too soft.
Are you sure that CRX is still even factory stiff? Most cars these days pass the old fashioned "bounce test" - but if you pull a strut out and more the spring, you find that they are dead or close to it.
Are you sure that CRX is still even factory stiff? Most cars these days pass the old fashioned "bounce test" - but if you pull a strut out and more the spring, you find that they are dead or close to it.
I'd personally rather get some BC Racing coilovers for my 350z then invest more money into my CRX if it drives okay.
06-06-2015, 08:28 AM
#17
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I'm sure it's not haha, but it has never effected the ride so much that I couldn't have fun on windy backroads. I have considered buying new struts, but it passed the very old fashioned "bounce test" - forcefully bounce the front end of the car with the bumper then let go and if it continues to bounce your struts and/or springs need to be replaced.
I'd personally rather get some BC Racing coilovers for my 350z then invest more money into my CRX if it drives okay.
I'd personally rather get some BC Racing coilovers for my 350z then invest more money into my CRX if it drives okay.
EDIT: Note that I'm not suggesting you need to do the CRX struts... just that the test isn't very good.
Last edited by BobMax; 06-06-2015 at 08:42 AM.
06-07-2015, 08:12 PM
#18
The SE has stiffer springs and the struts are tokico hp. Sensen is cheap enough to try, they rode nice, they just blew out quicker on me because of the lowering. I have a wrx now and its stock struts are gr2. It is harsh coming from anything softer. Would I get a softer strut now? No way.
06-08-2015, 08:08 AM
#19
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If you have the cash, just get Monroe Quick Struts. Chances are u will need to replace more than just the strut.
Im sitting on Tokico HPs with H&R springs. Good setup. If I had to do it all over again, I may have gotten Tokico Illuminas for the front just for the adjustability. And DEFINITELY Stock strut mounts.
Im sitting on Tokico HPs with H&R springs. Good setup. If I had to do it all over again, I may have gotten Tokico Illuminas for the front just for the adjustability. And DEFINITELY Stock strut mounts.
06-11-2015, 07:14 PM
#20
06-12-2015, 08:33 AM
#21
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Was JT a brand?
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