Lowering my car soon, what else should I change while I'm in there?
 

Just to give an idea of the condition:
Car is on stock struts and springs, 130k miles. Stock struts are shot. Ride is very rough.

I hate beating a dead horse but due to the search function being disabled, I cannot locate the pretty informative threads we had in the past regarding this.


This will be done within the next 2 weeks with the help of a fellow member, I have struts and springs waiting.. but nothing else.

I know there are many other things reccomended to replace as well.. dust boots, bump stops, strut mounts? etc..


If anyone knows all of these, can you please list them for me or if you happen to have a link to a thread or a site where i can find this info, please provide it.. thanks

Re: Lowering my car soon, what else should I change while I'm in there?
 

amen

about time going to jeff;s ?

:confused:

Re: Re: Lowering my car soon, what else should I change while I'm in there?
 

nah, Clive is going to help me out.. :)

But my clutch is pretty screwed so I'm going to need to talk to Jeff about that :) heard it's busy as **** over there :eek:

Re: Re: Re: Lowering my car soon, what else should I change while I'm in there?
 

jeff is the man..he got my car out the shop asap !

I would definetely replace strut bearings up front and dust boots all around. Maybe the spring isolators also. The rest of it should be OK, you can take a look at the condition of the parts when you take it apart.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=175683
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=106476
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=3
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=174176
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=167678
That should get you started. I am about to do the same thing so I have been researching. I hope you are getting new shocks/struts too.

I'm gonna be lowering my car too...

All I have are the basics...

KYB-AGX Struts
Sprint Springs
KYB Dustboots/Bumpstops

Redmaxpa007 (jeff) is gonna wrap the springs for me and cut the rear coil so it sits evenly...

There are a lot more parts I was gonna get but I didn't need to dish out all the money to get it... so I decided to stick with the basics...

Re: Lowering my car soon, what else should I change while I'm in there?
 

well it's about time steve, when you do do this hit me up with a PM and i'll try and swing by and help out

:thumbsup: thanks! you're the man

Motivational rear mounts are a must!!! I've had mine for 2 months and would never go back to stock mounts. I also bought a set of shortened Koni via Neuspeed for my sister's Accord. The extra suspension travel really makes a difference.

I am in about the same boat. I am @ 75K and am about to install Tokicos and H&Rs. I cannot figure out a few things, after readig the threads listed above.

1. If I use the $7 dustboots that JAY25 (I think) used, what else do I need to use? OEM bumpstops? HELP!

2. How long do OEM strut bearings last?

3. Can I reuse OEM strut mounts?

4. If I can do #3, can I get a set of strut mounts at a junkyard and have a swap-in assembly? Meaning, can I have things all set up to just pull out the stock assembly and install the H&R/Tokico setup in another set of OEM strut mounts? This would be to make it easier to go BTS in the winter or when it is time to sell the car.

You can check out everything I replaced here: http://staff.jccc.net/dlee/maxima/suspension/

I basically zero-houred my entire suspension, I think it was well worth it.

3. Can I reuse OEM strut mounts?

4. If I can do #3, can I get a set of strut mounts at a junkyard and have a swap-in assembly? Meaning, can I have things all set up to just pull out the stock assembly and install the H&R/Tokico setup in another set of OEM serut mounts? This would be to make it easier to go BTS in the winter or when it is time to sell the car. [/B][/QUOTE]

Yes, you can. you could buy a set from a junkyard but chances are they will not have the stut mount seperated fromt the whole strut assembly. Meaning you will still have to compress the spring to get the old stock strut out and reinstall the new one. Also, you would want to replace all your upper bushings and bumpstops since you already have it apart.

What are motivational rear strut mounts?

Thanks,
-Nick

what are MUST DO'S... if I lower with sprints/kyb-agx?

got the bumpstops/dustboots/cutting the rear spring/wrapping springs

Motivational Engineering rear mounts: They add an extra inch and a half of suspension travel for the shock. Makes the ride of the rear more comfortable than stock and enhances performance.

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/...vational.shtml
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...scc_proj200sx/

thanks

however, i'm not sure if i can identify all those parts.. :confused:



here is what i gathered so far, maybe someone can confirm:

1. Dust boots
Come with bump stops? KYB ones are reccomended

2. Spring isolator sleves?
Slides on the actual coils to reduce rubbing noise?
need 2 on each spring?

3. Spring perch mount isolators (upper perch front & rear)
Same as Strut mounts?


4) Strut Bearings?
only for the front?



what am i missing here?
these parts have like 4 different names each :o

Both the stock and KYB dustboots have integrated bumpstops, I chose to get OEM dustboots and trim the bumpstops, either way should be fine.

That is correct, I used the stock pieces where the spring contacts the collar on the strut where the tolerances matter and some PVC tubing (persuaded with some silicone spray) on the top.

Spring perch isolators are the ones that go on the bottom of the spring where it contacts the collar on the strut.

The rears use a totally different design than the fronts, there is kind of a metal cap and ring and several rubber bushings rather than a real strut mount.


I would just make sure I replaced the dustboots/bumpstops, the coil isolators (top and bottom), the seals (those orange things), and the nuts that mount to the bottom of each strut (they're only designed to be used once).

yea u can kiss ur paintjob goodbye

freakin NYC streets and potholes

:soapbox:

check my sig if your interested in motivational strut gd

A few ?s:

Any links to how to trim the bumpstops on the OEM dust boots?
Are spring isolators and coil isolators the same thing? (I believe that they are.)
Do you have an "official" name or PN for the nuts that mount to the bottom of each strut?

guido_sst,

thanks again

Can you briefly explain why it is necessary to trim the bump stop? Will it cause any damage if it is not trimmed? I'm guessing it just allows for more suspension travel.. but what kind of harm can it cause if you do not trim?

also, in regards to this:
Can you point me to the part number or the exact term the dealer uses for when you mention "the seals (those orange things)" and "the nuts that mount to the bottom of each strut". ?

or point me to which of the items it is, as posted on that page you provided?

thanks

:laugh:
Did you read my post above yours? I asked the same things! I guess that means that we are asking the right questions.

I wish I had the knowlege that some of these guys have.

bump

Trimming them is a major safety thing, hitting your bumpstops too hard can cause a loss of control of the vehicle. There isn't really a guide to trimming them, just lop off as much of it as you need to. Cut the narrow part between the big chunks as you can see in the first two pictures. I removed 2/3 of the bumpstop on the front and about 1/2 the rear bumpstops for my Intrax. I would remove about the same ammount for Sprints and less for other springs.

The seals are the orange rings about halfway down the page, the rears are the ones with two small holes and the fronts are the ones with three small holes.

The nuts are the third and fourth items down the page, you'll need the 4 for the front and 2 for the rear. While they look similar, they aren't quite the same, so make sure you get the right stuff.

Yes, they are.

I answered your other two questions in the previous post, let me know if you need any more info. :)

can I reuse my stock (oem) dustboots on kyb agx? they're in good conidition


also... do I have to cut the bumpstop if I get motivational rear mounts since I have another inch of suspension travel? (h&r)

The OEM dustboots will work fine as long as they are in good condition, most I have seen are basically trash if they've been on the car a few years. I was picking pieces of Soon2BMaxed's dustboots out of my yard for a year after we did his suspension install...

With H&Rs you shouldn't need to trim your bumpstops much, I might remove a single nub just to be on the safe side. A simple utility knife will do that job pretty easily.

Thanks for all of the help provided by all of the posters in this thread. I am wiorking w/ some other members o update the 4th gen FAQs. Is anyone who posted here OPPOSED to me usiog any of the info or images in the informational posts fo rfuture reference?

Any options for dustboots for GC's? i know OEM ones don't fit, and if i don't use the dustboots where do i get the bump stop?? will getting the motivational strut mounts help prevent premature axle damage??

Thanks for posting this info. I'm ready to drop my ride as well and I'll like to get more travel in the rear because of my speakers and amps.

OEM replacement parts (prices from courtesyNissan with Org discount):
(2) Strut Bearings (54325-5V000) - $23.96 ea
(2) Front Dust Boots (54050-38U02) - $10.69 ea
(2) Rear Dust Boots (55240-0M315) - $20.96 ea

I'd also get the spring isolator sleeves. And while your at it, why not get the Polyurethene FSB bushings?

If you don't want OEM, you can get KYB dust boots for about $60 for all four, that way the bump stop is already trimmed. You can see the difference here.
KYB Boots: http://www.bryanb.com/site/maxima/parts/parts.html
Stock Boots:http://staff.jccc.net/dlee/maxima/suspension/

I was also wondering what i needed , i finally got my agx and eibachs in , i tried ordering the dust boots from summit and the guy said he didnt have them for the max only for trucks , even though i knew he was wrong and you could use them i decided to get the kyb dust boots from cattman because they come with bumpstops and the summit ones dont , 70 shipped , 4 less then oem , and made for the agxs , i also ordered strut mounts and bearings , so hopefully i will be set and that will be all i need ,

i never taught suspension would cost so much , but cant wait till its all on , cant stand the ride now ,wanted to lower the car mostly just for handling ,once i everything comes in , paying a nice visit to jeff:D

Here is a graphic that a fellow .org member sent me last summer. Handy to have when you dig into your suspension... It has torque specs too...

4th Gen Maxima Suspension - Front - Exploded view.

Cheers,

where do I get these rear motivational things, the kyb dust boots and those sleeves and all the rest of the products I dont know names fro which I might need. Is it really neceessary to cut the back springs wit a sub in trunk and its a manual so it sit pretty even already?

There is a group deal going for the motivational rear strut mounts. $115 in the Group Deals section.

KYB dust boots from www.cattman.com for abotu $70 shipped, and all of the rest of the stuff comes from the dealer.

are addco and progress the same sway bar? If not where do I find the addco sway bar?

Different. Cattman also sells the addco, and they are often for sale in the 4th gen for sale section.

[QUOTE=

I would just make sure I replaced the dustboots/bumpstops, the coil isolators (top and bottom), the seals (those orange things), and the nuts that mount to the bottom of each strut (they're only designed to be used once).[/QUOTE]




Can anybody help me out. I want to order parts this morning.
Does anybody know if the orange seals (spacers and seals) should be purchased if installing new shocks/struts. I don't know what they are. Link below

http://staff.jccc.net/dlee/maxima/suspension/