hey, does anyone use the ES parallel link bushings? my ve5's body has roughly 200k miles on it and the rear seems a bit looser then my other max with 130k. does anyone know how the old ones are removed and the new installed? are they pressed?
- The ES parallel link bushings are only 50 bucks (Courtesy Nissan)..seems like a great deal
- I was thinking about the whole parallel kit from Matt Blehm, seems like it would make a huge difference.. but its pricy (worth every penny and more i bet)

 

IIRC, a set from Courtesy only does one side of the car....so it'll be $100 total for all 4 links. I've heard great things about Matt's kit, I can't remember any specific reviews of just the bushings alone. I would assume they are pressed in.

 

The ES bushings are similar to the front control arm bushings. you need a hudraulic press to remove them, but then you can push the ES bushings in with basic hand tools. they're a bit tighter than the front ones, but I could still to them with just a bench vise or even laying the joint on the workbench and pounding them in with a hammer.

Also, the ES kit from Courtesy is the entire rear set- not just one axle as Mizeree stated.. If you/he got just one side in the kit from them, then ES screwed up and sent only half of the parts. (I'm losing more and more faith in ES every time I have an order from them. I see shorted sets all the time, and this will be the third rear bushing kit I've seen.. I had two of them on my first order, and they corrected them on the later orders.)


My parallel link kit does do an incredible amount more back there over the ES bushings, but they are also quite a bit more expensive.. You get what you pay for though. speed costs money, so just how fast do you want to go?

 

why are you so damn truthful...

 

I pride myself and have based my company on telling customers what they need to know, not what sells me more parts.

Of course, it gets me in trouble more than you want to know as well.

 

Matt, this is the thread I was talking about:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=311832


(gotta love being able to search finally )

 

Mizeree, refer back to my comment above...
Nowhere did that thread say that he called Courtesy or ES to discuss the problem.
I did. ALL energy kits like these are for a complete axle, never for just one corner. Courtesy sent me two boxes that only had half the kit in each of them.. I called up Kaleb, talked to him, and they sent out another box with a full set in them at no charge. (so I had two full sets as I originally paid for).

 

Matt I know, I wasn't trying to discredit you. All I was doing was providing a reason for saying what I said. Sorry if you took it the wrong way.

 

I just want to clarify something to make sure I am on the right track.

I just purchased a set of bushings from Courtesy Nissan for about
$50.00 bucks. My question is, will this set cover both sides in the rear?

tks,

Mark

 

Mizeree, no problem... communication on the 'net is never 100%..

majordan, read my last two posts above. (again)

 

I have one q on the rear suspension. The forward pointing rods are not parallel with the chassis. Is this the secret of 3gen maxima superb handling? My bluebird (stanza) with almost equal chassis is really poor compared to max...

 

Those would be lateral links

 

...lateral links giving lateral stability: the bigger angle, the better lateral support. In Maxima its about 15, stanza/bluebird about three degrees...

All other 'widgets' are equal, shocks identical etc.

 

OK,

Please bare with me please I probably overlooked something.
On a new note, I received my bushings for the rear-end a couple of
days ago from courtesy and I have a total of 16 bushings and 8 metal
rings. This is the entire package for both sides? correct?

Mark

 

yes, you're correct. you need 16 poly bushings and 8 metal inner sleeves.
I also suggest using some 1/2" (I think) washers on either end of the bushings to prevent them from squeezing out once they're installed. I haven't heard of any problems with them on the rear, but I have seen it happen on the front. might as well not take chances.

 

are these bushings easy to install?? Any torching/cutting required like the front?? And possible without a press and vice??