Does any one know what the best type of springs for the money and the ride there is to lower my max? And is it a hard job to do? Do you have to change the struts also? I want to lower the car when I get my tax return but want to know how much? Also will the max bounch like those damn honda's or will it not bounch as bad?


Jim

 

Whats amater with ur car man. It looks so high like a 4x4. HaHa all i can say is get new struts I lowered my max and now there is a puddle of oil from one of the stock struts that died.

 

It comes down to this with springs - Eibach are the best for handling, but give a stiff ride. H&R give the closeset ride to stock, but don't handle as well at the limit as Eibach. Sprint gives you the most drop, 2". Also, definitely 100% replce your stock struts. They weren't designed to handle the lowering springs and will die quickly if they're left there. It's also cheaper to do both springs and shocks at once. Search for threads on H&R, Eibach, Sprint, etc... this is a very hot topic.

 

What size tire do you have on your car? From the picture it looks like you have a huge gap. This can give the idea of how low you want to go. Also it will depend on if you want performance or looks from the drop.

 

Thanks I have 17 inch wheels on there. That is a bad picture. It doesn't look that bad from a different angle. I want to lower it but I don't have a lot of money now. I would like the best performance and the best looks, I do not want the car seting on the ground though. Is it posible to do the springs and struts by your self with a spring compresser, or sould I just save the money and get it done by someone. How much would it cost for springs and struts and labor. Thanks

Jim P

 

It cost me $150 labor to get them installed. n/m

 

h&r = $210
labor = $40

 

CHECK THESE OUT I GOT THEM !http://www.lightningmotorsports.com/
click on progress technology under suspension parts

 

I put the H&R's in my 99 (with the stock struts) about 6 mo and 10K miles ago. I was very pleased with the result. If you are looking for a good combination of ride/looks, go with them. They do not bounce like the slammed Hondas you've seen.

If you want lower, try the other brand that drops 2", but I don't know how they ride. The Eibachs reportedly handle better, but ride rougher. IMO, you should try to keep a nice ride. After all, it is a Maxima. As far as handling goes, you're gonna get a big improvement no matter which spring you choose, so I wouldn't make my decision based on that.

Additionally, I don't agree that your stock struts (provided they are good) can't "handle" lowered springs. True, it would be wise to replace them if they were marginal, or you wanted an improvement (they have to come out anyway-no additional labor charge), but certainly not neccessary.

I did the installation myself. I can't imagine anyone would do it for less than $150, unless you go to Mexico or something. Anyway, check out the Megamax website in the links. Jeff takes you thru the steps. It's not too bad if you have some experience and the equipment. BTW, you can borrow a spring compressor from Pep Boys for free ($60 dep) to do the job.

Good Luck

 

cycle u have a 99, so ur struts are pretty much brand new. so maybe thats why they are still performing good. but lets say you had a 95, i doubt ur struts woulda lasted at all.

like mine
lowered it with h&r= dead struts in a month maybe less.

 

I've read that the H&Rs are softer than Eibachs. I guess it is virtually unanimous that if you were go with Eibachs, then a strut upgrade would be necessary. Does the same apply for the softer H&Rs?

 

I'm going with the H&R's with Konis (prices $212 shipped from autobahn motorsports for the springs and $450 for the Konis from shox.com). I decided I can do the mod myself, but that would void the warranties for both the springs and shocks/struts. I think you have to have a trained certified mechanic to verify his work on the springs and struts to satisfy both H&R and Koni. This is true for Tokico and KYB. Labor should be less than $100, I don't feel like this is too much work. I've changed the springs to my mazda 626, took two hours. Professionals should have an easier time installing struts and springs at the same time. It's a lot less work.

 

On your ride
Mine=99 GXe=Blown struts/shocks-three weeks!!
I have lowered approx 50+ vehicles in my time, and let me tell you, these are the worst ride in the world, I absolutely hate them. I used to sell them also, but changed my mine after a few customer complaints of the bone jarring ride.
I am switching to air suspension shortly (within a month or so) so I really don't know which spring you should buy.
Alex
Just my $0.02

 

Labor $40? Where did you go man?

 

I think, from what you described, H&R's would be best. I would replace the shocks bescause you will eventually have to anyway, the labor is the same, and you can better damper/handle the lowering springs. I recently but Tokico and H&R on my max and am very happy with the result. Around town, the ride is a little rougher but very much acceptable. It takes the bumps better and highway driving has improved greatly -- so much that it really surprised me. Also, I did not want to go real low, so the H&R's are great for me. As for installation, if your are not 100% sure what you are doing, pay a mechanic. Some of the prices for labor given here seem way too low though, at least for where I live. Best I found was $250 plus the cost of the alignment. Whatever you decide, good luck...

 

but if you can handle the bouncing up and down whats the harm ?

 

have the sprint springs installed???? I have feedback on every type of spring for the 4th gen except the sprints. I have searched the archives but no one seems to have any feedback. Ride quality, handling improvement?

 

i bought maxspeed springs last week, it dropped 1.5 front and 1.3 rear, i only have 27k on mine so i did not changed my shocks, from what i saw it does not look like it's hard to install. i just recommend to have another person to help u out for holding the shocks when putting it back together. i spent $200.00 installed, which i think is pretty good, i have been satisfied so far.

 

get H&R SPRINGS ($220 to your door) and TOKICO STRUTS, closest to stock ride you will get. Drops the car 1.5 front and 1.3 rear. I have 17's and it looks hott. If you want slammed go Intrax, but be cautioned THE RIDE WILL SUCK BIG TIME!! Eibach wayyyy to stiff IMO.

 

yea..yea...yea...Everyone think Intrax sucks big time. Is that from a first hand experience? Like you had H&R and then Intrax on the same maxima. Anyway, Tetsuo that used to have a Maxima. Actually had two maximas. He had like a 96 and then traded in to buy a 99. He had H&R on his first max and Intrax on the second max. He said he couldn't tell any noticeble difference between the two. I think Tetsuo is driving a NSX now. He also had a turbo Miata. People always slam on Intrax springs. I remember one guy used to say..."Have you seen any Maxima that autocross in Intrax...No..everyone is using Eibach". Well, after Seth (Sethmax) autocrosses in Intrax. Nobody said that anymore. I bet people will start bash on Sprint springs next.