Electronically controlled struts are on my Maxima, and they need to be replaced. Elec struts at Autozone are approx. $450 a peice. I only really need to replace the front ones. The parts guy said that I am not able to put non-electronic controlled shocks in place on the ones I have. The regular struts cost only $45 a peice. Am I able to just swap out the bad elec ones with new regular struts? Will disconnecting the ECU for the suspension affect the ECU for the rest of the vehicle?

Thanks for any pointers.

 

Mr Dav007,
I have replaced the rears with the KYB's and it runs great next is the front. KYB's will go in the front as well according to the "Foreign AutoParts" store around me. With a set of spring compressors. the job is pretty easy and quick.

 

You can replace them with non electronic ones. You just have to disassemble the electronic assemblies and put the non electric ones in. I dont like Autozone, they always say you cant do stuff when you really can. It can be done. Save yourself the money and get nonelectric ones. Get a haynes or a Factory Service Manual to help you out.

 

I may be wrong about some of this, but I do know there's more to it than that. I believe that you need to also the replace the strut mounts, and maybe even the springs. The mounts, I know for certain, the springs, I'm not sure about. I think there's also some other parts needed.

 

Yeah Those need to be replaced too Those arent expensive to get either. For all the other stuff I advised the Haynes Manual or better a Factory Service Manual to get for better reference.

 

This is an important question to me as well, as I am considering buying a 1988 Maxima that needs new rear struts/shocks, but not want to pay $450 for new ones. How do you know if it has the electric or manual shocks? Difference in the GXE and SE? I think this is the GXE. It has analog guages as well. Thanks.

 

I bought a Haynes Manual. I think it pretty much states that the 1985-1988 has the Adjustable Shock Absorber System, and that some 1988 and later models have the Sonar Suspension System. The Sonar System is much more integrated than the driver controlled system. It is supposed to recieve information from sensors in the vehicle and adjust the shocks accordingly. I have an ECU mounted on the top of the inside of the trunk where the rear speakers are (rear deck). I disconnected the ECU to see if it affected any other components of the vehicle. Nothing has happened in the past week. I have not purchased new struts yet, but my only other concern is the bolt pattern. When I buy these new struts, they should bolt up. (I hope)
Dave

 

Only the SE model came with the electronically adjustable shocks. They didn't make them for the GXE. Like MrDav007 said, they did make some GXE's with the Sonar Suspension, but they're very rare. I don't think that would affect replacing the struts though. The electronically adjustable ones on the SE would definitely increase the cost of replacing them.

MrDav007 - are you sure you didn't disconnect the security system on the car? That's the only box that I know of that is back there.

-C-

 

From my recent conversation with my friend at the dealership, Nissan dropped almost all of their prices for struts. I believe it because they were forcing everyone to go aftermarket because their prices were so f**king high.

Call your dealership again, the prices should be VERY different.

-A

 

MrDav007,
I just replaced the front struts on the '86. You will need the new struts which come with the lower mount included. You will need to get the Upper mount from KYB. You will also need to order from Nissan the Thrust seat and the upper spring seat from Nissan for a Non electric strut. As far as installing, just remove the wheel and remove the two strut to wheel bolts. Leave the bottom bolt in the slot. Remove the three upper mount nuts in the engine compartment. Remove the lower bolt you left in and push the strut assembly towards the engine. Push down on the brake rotor but only enough to clear the strut out of the wheel well. Dis-assemble the strut and put the spring on the new mount and torque down the nut and re-install. With all the parts it should take you no more than an hour per side. Be careful when taking the strut out that it doesn't slam down on your CV boot or push to far down on the rotor that you dis-engage the outer CV joint. Leave something under drive axle to keep it from sagging as well after the strut is removed. When re-installing just put it back into the well by applying slight downward pressure to the rotor and set the upper mount into the three holes. While holding the strut tower with one hand, put the three nuts back on with the other. This will keep the strut from falling back onto the CV boot if you try to connect the strut tower to wheel assembly nuts first. Now install the two bolts and torque the five nuts to specifications.

It might be worth examining the Lower ball joint boot and the tie rod boot as well. Without the strut in these easy to replace and in-expensive if they are cracked.