Suspension advice needed
10-23-2002, 11:47 AM
#1
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Posts: 53
Suspension advice needed
I have a 95 Maxima SE with almost 113K miles. The struts and springs are original and it goes without saying that the ride is no longer what it should be. So I'm looking to replace at least the struts/shocks.
I'm not particularly interested in lowering the car -- I don't race, I don't really push it very hard, and the roads in Texas have no curves to speak of.
So after reading a lot of threads here, I'm leaning toward the KYB GR2 or maybe the AGX replacements.
The questions:
1. Is there any way to know if the springs need to be replaced?
2. Is there a real advantage in my situation to going with the AGXs?
3. Any other parts I'll need to do this (mounts, bumpers, covers, etc)?
4. Will I need an alignment when it's done?
5. Best places online to get the parts (customer service and quick shipping is more important than the lowest price to me)?
Thanks for any assistance.
Dan
I'm not particularly interested in lowering the car -- I don't race, I don't really push it very hard, and the roads in Texas have no curves to speak of.
So after reading a lot of threads here, I'm leaning toward the KYB GR2 or maybe the AGX replacements.
The questions:
1. Is there any way to know if the springs need to be replaced?
2. Is there a real advantage in my situation to going with the AGXs?
3. Any other parts I'll need to do this (mounts, bumpers, covers, etc)?
4. Will I need an alignment when it's done?
5. Best places online to get the parts (customer service and quick shipping is more important than the lowest price to me)?
Thanks for any assistance.
Dan
10-23-2002, 12:04 PM
#2
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Re: Suspension advice needed
Originally posted by 95MaximaSE-TX
1. Is there any way to know if the springs need to be replaced?
1. Is there any way to know if the springs need to be replaced?
2. Is there a real advantage in my situation to going with the AGXs?
3. Any other parts I'll need to do this (mounts, bumpers, covers, etc)?
4. Will I need an alignment when it's done?
5. Best places online to get the parts (customer service and quick shipping is more important than the lowest price to me)?
Thanks for any assistance.
Dan
You should be looking at either the KYB GR2 struts and shocks or the Tokico Blue's. Both are excellent replacements for your needs.
Tom aka - The Suspension Guru
10-23-2002, 12:24 PM
#3
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Posts: 53
Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. 
There was another current thread that led to an older thread here: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....+answered+SuDZ with a lot of similar questions and answers.
BTW, I got an estimate at a local shop to do the fronts and it was about $650. Can't see spending that kind of cash on something that seems to be pretty straightforward to do myself.
There was another current thread that led to an older thread here: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....+answered+SuDZ with a lot of similar questions and answers.
BTW, I got an estimate at a local shop to do the fronts and it was about $650. Can't see spending that kind of cash on something that seems to be pretty straightforward to do myself.
10-23-2002, 12:43 PM
#5
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Posts: 7,530
Originally posted by 95MaximaSE-TX
Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.
There was another current thread that led to an older thread here: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....+answered+SuDZ with a lot of similar questions and answers.
BTW, I got an estimate at a local shop to do the fronts and it was about $650. Can't see spending that kind of cash on something that seems to be pretty straightforward to do myself.
Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.
There was another current thread that led to an older thread here: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....+answered+SuDZ with a lot of similar questions and answers.
BTW, I got an estimate at a local shop to do the fronts and it was about $650. Can't see spending that kind of cash on something that seems to be pretty straightforward to do myself.
SuDZ
10-23-2002, 12:43 PM
#6
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Posts: 53
FWIW, I'm the original owner, bought the car in July 1994, and it's had very few problems so far. Had the starter replaced some time ago, recently the front axles, and a few weeks ago I replace the Bose unit with an Alpine after the CD and tape players decided they didn't want to work anymore.
It's been an excellent car and the suspension work should bring it right back what it should be.
10-23-2002, 12:52 PM
#7
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TIP: Suspension bolts can be a PITA to break loose.
Get a big breaker bar and use a 1/2 inch drive 6 point 19mm socket to break the lower strut nuts loose.
The rear is a 17mm bolt, again use a big breaker bar, 1/2 inch 6 point socket.
WD-40 is your friend!
Get a big breaker bar and use a 1/2 inch drive 6 point 19mm socket to break the lower strut nuts loose.
The rear is a 17mm bolt, again use a big breaker bar, 1/2 inch 6 point socket.
WD-40 is your friend!
10-23-2002, 12:54 PM
#8
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Posts: 53
Originally posted by SuDZ
Glad the thread helped out. Nice to see that it got some use. And for njmaxseltd, he ain't kidding on the suspension guru thing. I actually used infor from him many times in there. As far as $650 that is a very high price. Also it really is not that tough to do it on your own, just a little long the first time. If you have a decent space to work on it the firsttime took me about 1 hour each wheel to do. Only because the first one took me over an hour to figure out the but then the one on the opposite side would fly by due to the new techniques you find. Definantly a project to teach you some things and save you some money. Easy enough to do on your own in a few hours or no time at all with some help.
SuDZ
Glad the thread helped out. Nice to see that it got some use. And for njmaxseltd, he ain't kidding on the suspension guru thing. I actually used infor from him many times in there. As far as $650 that is a very high price. Also it really is not that tough to do it on your own, just a little long the first time. If you have a decent space to work on it the firsttime took me about 1 hour each wheel to do. Only because the first one took me over an hour to figure out the but then the one on the opposite side would fly by due to the new techniques you find. Definantly a project to teach you some things and save you some money. Easy enough to do on your own in a few hours or no time at all with some help.
SuDZ
I just ordered the KYB GR2s from Tire Rack. Had to be one of the easiest orders I've placed over the phone. The guy did talk me out of the strut mounts, boots, and bumpers though.
So, I'll go check on courtesy nissan for the other parts and see what I can find.
10-23-2002, 12:56 PM
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 53
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
TIP: Suspension bolts can be a PITA to break loose.
Get a big breaker bar and use a 1/2 inch drive 6 point 19mm socket to break the lower strut nuts loose.
The rear is a 17mm bolt, again use a big breaker bar, 1/2 inch 6 point socket.
WD-40 is your friend!
TIP: Suspension bolts can be a PITA to break loose.
Get a big breaker bar and use a 1/2 inch drive 6 point 19mm socket to break the lower strut nuts loose.
The rear is a 17mm bolt, again use a big breaker bar, 1/2 inch 6 point socket.
WD-40 is your friend!
10-23-2002, 01:04 PM
#10
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
TIP: Suspension bolts can be a PITA to break loose.
Get a big breaker bar and use a 1/2 inch drive 6 point 19mm socket to break the lower strut nuts loose.
The rear is a 17mm bolt, again use a big breaker bar, 1/2 inch 6 point socket.
WD-40 is your friend!
TIP: Suspension bolts can be a PITA to break loose.
Get a big breaker bar and use a 1/2 inch drive 6 point 19mm socket to break the lower strut nuts loose.
The rear is a 17mm bolt, again use a big breaker bar, 1/2 inch 6 point socket.
WD-40 is your friend!
I think I remember you saying that we should loosen it while it's still in the car, but wont the whole shaft of the strut rotate as I'm trying to turn the top nut?
I know the easiest way to do this would be with air tools, but I don't have access to them right now.
Thanks for any hints, you are the man.
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