4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Front Alignment only OR All four??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-01-2002, 08:27 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
ptrkng's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 340
Front Alignment only OR All four??

i'm about to lower my car this weekend and i was wondering whether i should do just front two alignment or all four alignment??? i searched and there were many different opinions...
thanks
ptrkng is offline  
Old 08-01-2002, 08:30 PM
  #2  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (4)
 
96sleeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,756
Re: Front Alignment only OR All four??

Originally posted by ptrkng
i'm about to lower my car this weekend and i was wondering whether i should do just front two alignment or all four alignment??? i searched and there were many different opinions...
thanks
There is no alignment for the rear of a 4th gen. maxima, only the front can be adjusted.
96sleeper is offline  
Old 08-01-2002, 08:30 PM
  #3  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Vyrus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,443
Front only. There's almost nothing (if not nothing) to adjust in the rear.
-Cyrus
Vyrus is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 12:16 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
97GLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 647
If you have the money, go for a lifetime alignment... every time your alignments off just go get another... pays for itself pretty quickly if you plan on keeping the car long.
97GLE is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 01:05 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
black019's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,317
there is no rear alignment so if anyone tries to charge you for it you better not let them do it!
black019 is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 07:09 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
kushane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 271
Like the guys above said, there is no alignment for the rear, but a complete alignment job requires checking the thrust line of the car (i.e. making sure the front and rear wheels are tracking straight as opposed to going sideways if the car had frame damage or something like that). This is why certain places attach sensors to the rear wheels as well when the car is on the alignment jig.
kushane is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 09:07 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
MaxKlinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 874
Hey guys.

This is the first time I've heard that there is no rear alignment on the 4th gen Maxima. Why is this? Because of the solid rear axle? I would think that the camber could still go out, perhaps as the springs get old and lose their tension. I understand, of course, that there are less joints and moving parts in the rear suspension than the front due to the nature of the steering and drive. I am curious to know more.
MaxKlinger is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 09:24 AM
  #8  
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
njmaxseltd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
Originally posted by MaxKlinger
Hey guys.

This is the first time I've heard that there is no rear alignment on the 4th gen Maxima. Why is this? Because of the solid rear axle? I would think that the camber could still go out, perhaps as the springs get old and lose their tension. I understand, of course, that there are less joints and moving parts in the rear suspension than the front due to the nature of the steering and drive. I am curious to know more.
Thats right MAxKinger, the solid beam holds everything together nice and tight. There are no adjustments back there. If your toe or camber go out of wack in the rear, something is bent.

You should always have the car aligned using the 4 wheel tracking system. Although you shouldn't pay for a 4 wheel alignment.

This ensures two things:

1) Nothing is wrong in the rear
2) Your steering wheel will be perfectly centered

If you don't have all 4 wheels hooked up to the alignment racks computer, there's a chance, if your car isn't perfectly straight on the rack that your steering wheel will not be centered. Thats why at a good shop, you'll notice that all 4 wheels always have sensors mounted to them. Even on soild axel or rear beam suspension set ups.
njmaxseltd is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 10:03 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
ptrkng's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 340
thanks for your help guys
ptrkng is offline  
Old 08-02-2002, 12:56 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
jayanth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Huntersville, NC
Posts: 175
our cars can take only front alignment and rear wheels cannot be aligned.Don't let anyone bill you for a 4 wheel alignment
jayanth is offline  
Old 09-02-2003, 09:32 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
n2oMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 408
Here's some information on adjusting the REAR toe-in on 4th and 5th generation Maximas. Some cars have shims available that bolt between the hub and axle. I guess those aren't available for Maximas. Below is a simple method of bending the axle to adjust the toe.

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/.../westend.shtml

Good Luck!
n2oMike is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
matts95max
General Maxima Discussion
14
05-20-2024 01:16 AM
alahjahwan09
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
18
09-21-2015 09:12 PM
bbsitum
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
4
09-11-2015 04:55 PM
dcam0326
General Maxima Discussion
4
09-08-2015 11:02 PM



Quick Reply: Front Alignment only OR All four??



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:47 AM.