I just had a couple suspension questions: I'm replacing all four struts on my Max next week with KYB-GR2s. I want to replace my springs too. I want either stock ride height (probably won't replace springs in that case) or a very minor drop (like 1" or so). I'm also thinking of buying one of those kinda cheezy looking front-up strut bars off e-bay.

Does anybody know of a company that makes 1" (or close to it) drop springs for 3rd gens?
Has anybody ever seen in person or used one of those Ebay strut bars? If so, what's the quality?
Am I still good, with 1"-1.5" drop springs, to stuff some Infiniti 17" rims under my Maxima?

Any feedback helps...

 

I don't know much about 3rd gens, but I'll try to help a little. Eibach's or H&R's will probably give you the smallest drop (not 1", but around there). With KYB-GR2's, you should be fine with a 1.5" drop, maybe even 1.7" (the most I would go). As for strut bars, they're all the same and do the exact same job. So eBay is the way to go.

Next time, try to a little, as this has probably been covered several times.

 

Thanx again man. That really helps.
Yah, it's kinda hard to search through a bunch of stuff from my computer. I'm only working with a 26k connection for the next couple weeks here. Half of the pages I try to go to won't even load unless I have an hour or so to wait. Hahaha

 

No problem man. Sorry to hear about your internet.

 

i think eibachs are 1.5" drop, and also i think the best springs for lowering 3rd gen.

i have one of those ebay strut bar, quality is good. Nothing spectacular about it but I like it.

 

Thanks for the help. I'm gonna try to have a suspension/drivetrain overhaul day next week. I already have to replace my drive shafts and one front strut is BAD. So, I just figured, why not while I already have it all pulled apart, just do the GR2 struts, drop springs, and strut bar all in the same day! Fun Fun Fun...

 

Lots of bad information in this thread..

First, do not use any drop spring available for our cars with KYB struts, they are too soft of a strut..

Second: Eibach springs have a 1.2 inch drop..

Third: H&R does not make a drop spring for the 3rd gen maxima, only 4th/5th gen, not sure on the later models..

Minumum strut for drop springs, use Tokico, if you can afford it, Koni reds.

 

I'm not a 3rd gen guy, forgive me.

 

Well, here is a great idea, start doing some research before answering questions in this forum, you are not helping anyone in here with incorrect information..

 

I did read some threads and re-posted info from them.

 

Show me which threads said H&R's are available for the 3rd gen, and which threads said KYB's are good for a 1.5/1.7 inch drop...

 

I put the H&R in there, I wasn't sure bout that.

 

In my opinion, B&G makes a fantastic product. I'd look into them.

 

LOL

91_4DSC If you're going for a stock ride the KYBs are great, they really are, I had mine for 5 years before they finally blew and that was over 160,000 miles on them (and I wasn't nice to them by any means). The first level drop is Eibach which is a 1.2" drop as Greeny has already mentioned, and in that case you NEED to go with something that is designed for the job, such as Tokicos. If you were to go with a further drop such as anything above a 1.6" (B&G springs) then you most definitely want Konis. You can't go cheap on your suspension, it will cost you so much more money in the long run if you do. Do it right the first time and be happy with all the money and headache that you've saved

 

by looking at ur questions i would say EIBACH SPRINGS + TOKICO OR KONI STRUTS r ur best bet...if u wanna go with 2.0 inches drop then go wit SPRINT SPRINGS INSTEAD OF EIBACH.....

 

I used Eibach + Tokico for several years and was extremely happy with them. I wanted some more performance, so I went custom after that.. but eibach and tokico are going to be your least drop and the best struts for a budget.
Here's a couple pics pic of my old GXE with that setup:
http://blehmco.com/pics/old_max/2.jpg
http://blehmco.com/pics/old_max/car/good_pics/1.jpg

 

Here's my set up with B&G and Tokicos for ride height comparison.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0037_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0039_large.jpg

 

Listen to Matt and Greeny. Tokicos will work, but I have never used them. As far as I'm concerned, Konis are twice the product for twice the price. Not many people are willing to invest this kind of money in a 4-door sedan this age, but if you do I promise you'll like it!

As far as springs go, Eibachs will lower the car without drastically altering the suspension geometry. Any more than 1.5 inches and you will have some geometry issues to deal with.

The general consensus is that unless you're hell-bent on slamming your car, go with Eibachs for a good stance and ride.

 

i've been trying to explain this to every n00b that asks about a drop, and they all tend to ignore me like that one dude that i told to get tokicos or konis, so he said "hey what about monroes? i can get a great deal on them!" then i set him straight on that, so he went and bought KYBs some men you just cant reach

 

How come nobody mentions Sachs....is thier stuff just basic OEM like Monroe (Actually, is Monroe even worse than OEM)?

 

monroe is like the Steel Reserve of struts - cheap crap that you get cuz you need a fix but you really don't expect much from it.

 

ahh the old green gxe..

I also was happy with my toks, not so happy with my b&g's, but that was a personal thing, B&G's are a good drop spring, but too much drop for these cars imo. I was pleasantly surprised when i removed my suspension for part out to find that after nearly 50k on toks/w 1.5 inch drop springs, the toks still had plenty of compression/rebound pressure.

 

AAAAaaaahahahahaha!

 

First of all, I want to thank everybody who has replied to my thread. I think, collectively, the amount of knowledge from everyone on this site is probably more than Nissan had when they produced the car.
Okay, clearly you guys know alot more about suspension dynamics than me. But, the car I sold to buy my Maxima (had to upgrade to a family vehicle) was a 1990 Integra. I had that thing SLAMMED on adjustable Tokico's and KYB-GR2 struts. I realize that there is difference between each and every car but, I had no problem at all with the GR2s. See, I'm what you call...broke...and GR2s, for the price, sound just fine to me. I mean, my Integra was lowered like, 2.5 - 3" and was fine. I just can't help but think that I'd be just fine with a 1.2" drop and GR2s on my Maxima. Eventually I want to move up to all that...huh..."Real Baller Stuff". But, for now, a slight upgrade from stock is just fine for me. So, unless there's a problem with the GR2s; like, they fail under cornering and make your car flip over or something, for $200 all four delivered to my front door, I kinda have to go with GR2s. I just simply don't have the money, right now, for anything more expensive.

 

You're Integra was a much lighter car my friend.... So the KYBs could prolly hold true on that vehicle... but it's your car and your choice...

 

keep in mind also that honda/acura cars have a different type of suspension from the maxima... the integra had double wishbone. maxima has macpherson. so the geometry is affected differently.

the advice we give you doesn't benefit us in any way. we aren't gonna make money or achieve nirvana based on whether you buy tokicos vs buying KYBs. we tell you because we've been there, done that, hit ourselves in the head for ignoring people's advice when WE were n00bs, and then decided to help other people avoid making the same mistakes. Of course, you can only lead a horse to water. you can't make it drink.

point is, if you're "broke" then you have better things to do with your money than half-*** dropping your car. if money is a problem, then JUST buy the tokico struts and leave the car at stock height until you get more money. why do you think i'm still on stock height? i'm not dropping until i can afford tokicos/konis and ST swaybars and blehmco links to compliment it.

 

my .02 I had Eibach springs and KYB-GR2 struts on my 3g for years with no problems whatsoever and I liked the setup very much, as far as ride goes. I will say the car still had a bit of wheel gap but i didnt mind.

 

Yes, and I'm well aware that KYBs aren't anywhere near the best but, they would literally just be temporary. I'm starting some good paying work for one of my buddies next month. As for right now, my front passenger-side strut is friggin cracked. I already NEED to replace that one. But, when you're looking at OEM struts for near $100 each and I can get all four GR2s for $200. I kinda have to go with the GR2s. Then I'll be able to work out all the issues with drop/wheel fitment, alignment, and such in the mean-time before I buy quality struts.

 

For sure...

 

Your car, do what you want...IMO the best option would be to replace the bad one with a junkyard piece and wait and save up for some good ones.

 

<sigh> Yah...you guys are probably right. I've always gotten a little ahead of myself when I'm starting a build. It's just so d*** exciting! But, I'm gonna follow your guys' advice...