So I replaced the factory front original 165K struts and springs with Monroe's Sense-a-Tracs and a "Pro-Kit"(also new bump-stops). Earlier last month I replaced the lower controls arms and replaced the sway bar bushings with polyurethane ones. Im running 350Z 18" wheels with 225/40R18's as well. Well I took it for a drive and it's riding like it has no rubber on the wheels,every bump feels like its bottoming out. Did I miss something?

 

I'm not surprised.

 

Unfortunately you've got the ultimate bad combination.

First of all, as I'm sure you know, the 18" wheels/tires alone will add noticeable stiffness even to even an otherwise stock suspension.

Secondly, the Eibach's alone are by design supposed to add stiffness. However, Eibach's are generally considered to be the best compromise between stiffness and ride quality, but of course that's all subjective.

Lastly, and what I can pretty much guarantee is your biggest contributor - Monroe/Gabriel's are TERRIBLE struts.

I have Monroe's on both my '89 Civic daily driver (all stock suspension), as well as my black 3rd gen. The only reason I bought Monroe is I got unbelievable deals on them on wholesaler close-outs from Rock Auto. The ride on my Civic isn't bad, but is a bit harsher than with the OEM struts when going over rough patches.

However, on the Maxima, the ride is very bizarrely/noticeably stiff. My black Maxima is all stock suspension complete with all new MOOG bushings/suspension all over. Even though the ride height is stock, it FEELS about as stiff/harsh as my slammed blue Maxima.

So I guarantee you the bulk of the problem is your choice of strut. And I'm sure the terrible struts are exacerbated by the combination of the 18" wheels and the Eibach's. You really don't have much other choice, though. Ideally you'd want Konis. Those are long gone, and Tokico is the next best thing. You can still occasionally find some used ones for sale on here.

About all that's widely available nowadays is KYB struts, and those really are just OEM replacements, but still world's better than Monroe/Gabriel.

 

Pretty much u took lil stiff added some more stiffness and topped it off with some stiff. End result rough ride.

 

damn, I only used the morore's also I got a great deal for them...maybe Ill put back on the 16's in the meantime. thanks to all that replied. its funny it didn't lower all that much either (seems less than advertised)

 

I guess the fact that we were able to get such great deals on them should have told us something

Got any pics of your car after install? They will settle a little bit over the next few weeks and lower a bit more, but not a whole bunch. My main gripe with Eibach's over the years is for some reason the rear looks lower on most of the 3rd gens I've seen them on.

I've got some Eibach's to put on my black VE so I may wrap the top coils of the rear springs to raise it a bit.

If you want low you'll need to go with Sprints or Intrax. Intrax is what's on my blue VE in my sig.

 

there is one thing I noticed after putting it back together(havent alligned it yet) it pulls badly to the right(if you let go of the wheel) I know the springs have to be indexed but do the upper spring seats/strur mounts also have to be as well. It's been awhile since I did a pair of struts...

 

I'll post some pics when I get home from work.

 

1. Monroe struts are JUNK. Sorry, but you wasted your money. With suspension parts, you definitely get what you pay for. And you got a real good "deal" on them because they're worth next to nothing. Tokico blue or Koni struts are the only ones I recommend for these cars with Eibachs.. KYB struts are next on the list, but they're a bit soft for Eibach springs, IMO. The 4th gen guys like them, but the 3rd gen is different and the KYB just aren't up to the task.

2. The car needs an alignment after new struts. the way our front suspension is, even a small change in camber from replacing a strut will cause a noticeable amount of toe change and you will need to realign the car.

3. You are quite possibly riding on the bumpstops if you didn't trim them down. when you lower the car, you need to remove about 1" off the bumpstops to keep the car from bottoming out as often.

 

Before



How its sitting now

 

I've read through a million of these suspension threads and the consensus is 1.Koni, 2.Tokico and 3.KYB. Monroe and Gabriel are no good.
Since they don't make Koni for our cars anymore or Tokico fronts (I've seen the rears on their website) I guess KYB is the only option for the 3G maxima if you going with lowering springs. So, my question to the experts is are used Tokicos or Konis better than new KYBs?

 

I would say "yes" unless the Konis or Tokicos are blown. You will have an upside and a downside.

The upside is you should be able to get a relatively good deal because they are used. At least, a good deal compared to what they were new and probably a bit cheaper than new KYBs.

The downside is you are buying used struts, so they could last 6 months or they could last 10 years. You don't really know what kind of abuse they took or how well they will hold up in the future.

If you buy KYBs, I think they have a lifetime warranty. Tokicos have a lifetime warranty, but since they no longer make them, I have no idea how they would honor it. Plus, they would probably be very likely to hound you for original receipts and the like.

 

Luckily I still have my receipts for my Tokico blues. Matter of fact I have all receipts from my entire rebuild.

 

I haven't lowered the rear yet...But I did the alignment yesterday,it drives allot better not and I trimmed the bump stops as well. Thanks for all the replies.

 

Damn thats one clean a$$ pearl VG. Man I haven't seen one that clean in a while.

 

Looking very clean. Those are the wheels I'll be putting on my black VE. I had a set previously but had to sell them when I got in a bind

 

Funny enough those have been proven to be one of Nissan weakest rims. As nice as they may look i've accidents where those and the 3rd altima v6 se rims disintegrate.

 

A maxima after my own heart! ^^^^^
I too have some rims like that! Actually 6th gen maxima wheels 18x7.5. Do the z rims stick out much? I have suspension technique springs and I'm waiting on getting new struts so this thread has been helpful. I think I'm going with the KYBs. I also have some rear eibachs going in to lift up the back a little.
Props on a clean pearl white maxima!

 

Thank you sir,I appreciate the praise. Been a long time coming.

 

The Z wheels are pretty much flush with the fenders and they don't need spacers or hub rings. I haven't installed the rear springs yet,I kinda like it how it is...lol. Thanks for the props. I hope to keep it til 300K on the original motor(crosses fingers)

 

On Eibachs

 

Same thing here - Intrax up front, Eibach in the rear

 

I hope to be there one day soon.

 

my used tokico shocks came on my 1st white 92 maxima gxe back in 2001 and they were used then tho im not sure how old they were,so i just got some springs,i went with sprint because they were the lowest,
so the used struts spent the next 4 years on 2 inch drop,tho i did have stock tires or 235 45 17s ,then i swapped it all over to my grey/blue 91se in 2004 so,for the last 8 years plus the other car 4 years over 12 years old now!besides the one blown rear

my point is to talk about 8 years ago while swapping i wanted to test them,
took the springs off ,the rears-one was firm both directions and stayed fully extended,the other rear one would not stay extended and was easier to move the piston in and out,the two fronts were tough to pull in or out and i think would stay half extended.
And 12 years ago
when originally adding sprint springs to them on the 92 gxe ,i think they all stayed extended iirc.

so lowcash i only bought 1 new rear strut for like 70 and threw them back on for the last 8 years and counting

any one else test used tokico blue struts and shocks?

 

Well that gives me some idea of how long mine might last.

 

Can you say butt lift? Most of the time it doesn't bother me but when it's sitting next to my e36 it looks like a reverse rake.

... as far as used vs new, I'm going with a new set of KYBs. It's a gamble I don't want to take when buying used.

 

Its a gamble not worth taking for the work involve in installing. Some are ok with used. By for my piece of mind and opinion I'd rather new.

 

..with stock spings/struts in the rear...I like it. Most likey I install them later.Im enjoying the fruits of my labor and drive it.

 

^^^^ nice!! How big is the gap on the back?
Who said 18s are too big for 3rd gens?? They look like they fit perfect.

 

I got my set of Toks new 12 years ago and still rolling on them

Looks great. Heck, I'd leave it like that if it were me.

For reference - here's my black VE on Intrax all around. I actually love the ride height of Intrax all around. BUT my Greddy catback scraped on all driveways backing out, and it was very hard to drive with passengers in the back and not be scraping everything constantly.

 

Now thats sweet.

 

Right here are some fine examples of the 3rdgeneration Maxima with some time/money/labor!! I'm feelin' what both of you have done with your 3rdgens...I can see no rice here!!

 

its about 1-1/4" in the back, I'd rather have the gap so when peeps ride it won't bottom out.I'll probably just replace the cartridges and use the factory springs.... Now I gotta fix the sway bar mounts in the rear since mine broke off,gonna get some angle-iron and weld up some new mounts.

 

Nice ^^^^^