3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994) Learn more about the 3rd Generation Maxima here.

Just curious.....why are aftermarket springs bad with stock struts?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-05-2005, 12:15 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
aw89maxSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Redmond, Wa
Posts: 1,429
Just curious.....why are aftermarket springs bad with stock struts?

I have heard that they blow and ride isn't so hot, but why is it bad to do them?
aw89maxSE is offline  
Old 01-05-2005, 01:11 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Maxininct's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 153
well the stock ride height for the stock struts are set the way the are, when u do a different spring the car is riding lower and compressing the strut more, making it a stiffer ride (not in a good way either) and makes them more prone to pop. =) you can do it, alot of people do but i dont recommend it, its cheap but dont be cheap. hehe
Maxininct is offline  
Old 01-05-2005, 05:17 AM
  #3  
"I'm just sayin'..."
iTrader: (6)
 
nelledge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,226
Originally Posted by Maxininct
well the stock ride height for the stock struts are set the way the are, when u do a different spring the car is riding lower and compressing the strut more, making it a stiffer ride (not in a good way either) and makes them more prone to pop. =) you can do it, alot of people do but i dont recommend it, its cheap but dont be cheap. hehe
Shocks/struts are engineered for each specific application. The piston travel length would be the leading factor for blown struts caused by mismatching spring height/rate with said strut. Not a great idea.
nelledge is offline  
Old 01-05-2005, 06:07 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
goon9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Oakwood, Ga
Posts: 3,191
I got brand new stockers at one time with some stiff springs and my reaers were spilling oin in a month and the fronts lasted 5 months. Then I got KYB2 struts, very nice ride, going on 8 months with no problem.
goon9 is offline  
Old 01-05-2005, 02:58 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
GRNMAXDMON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Miami, FL. / Indianapolis, IN.
Posts: 2,610
once u drop the car with only lowering springs the stock shocks will roughly last about 1-2 months and then oil starts leaking out of them. i did this and i wouldn't recommend it either. the ride is horrible but now i have KYB's and damn what a difference. very nice ride now.
GRNMAXDMON is offline  
Old 01-05-2005, 03:01 PM
  #6  
I'm needing a caw
iTrader: (82)
 
Jeff92se's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 34,147
Acutally I'm not sure the Konis or Tokicos have shorter rods. But they are stiffer. Konis can be alot stiffer depending on where you set it.

What happens most of the time:

1) Using too short of a spring: Bottoms out the strut rod and damages it = leaks
2) Using performance springs on stock shocks. Springs overwhelm the stock shock (that's probably already worn) and causes the seal to fail and or bottoms out the rod. Either = leaks

Originally Posted by nelledge
Shocks/struts are engineered for each specific application. The piston travel length would be the leading factor for blown struts caused by mismatching spring height/rate with said strut. Not a great idea.
Jeff92se is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Matt93SE
Maximas for Sale / Wanted
33
05-24-2019 02:58 PM
schmellyfart
All Motor
7
09-25-2015 04:47 PM
FlaMark
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
25
08-28-2015 10:15 AM
PhalC1
6th Generation Classifieds (2004-2008)
1
08-05-2015 02:36 PM



Quick Reply: Just curious.....why are aftermarket springs bad with stock struts?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:41 AM.