GeeShack

Hey guys, I am doing a full aftermarket suspension in about two weeks and I need some enlightenment. I plan on seting up KYB GR2's and maxspeed or tokico springs. The nissan dealer told me that thew maxima has struts in the front and shocks in the back, or visa versa. I thought that all I had to buy was 4 struts and springs, but according to this info I have to buy two struts and two shocks. Is this true, and if so how should i match things up? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

-Geoff

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

Technically the rear dampers are struts, but they are not the same type of strut as the front. Many people call them shocks.

Dont worry about it.

GodsmackMAX

iTrader: (4)

Sorry to be a postwhore, but one concern of mine is that I have read about people getting the GR2s and they are only lasting about 6 months. Is there any truth to this? I can understand if you take your max offroading daily or something, but I thought KYB were very dependable struts. Just thought I should bring this to your attention GeeShack. I'm gonna be doing my suspension real soon also.

drew

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

I've had my GR-2s in with H&R springs for about 10,000 miles. They still work great.

Dont sweat it.

mchne

iTrader: (3)

anyone who's complained of GR-2's failing within six months is either extremely unlucky, or they matched them up with springs that dropped their car too much for the GR-2's to handle.

this type of thing has been discussed a lot in the past, look around a bit and you'll find some good information.

felix

iTrader: (13)

pretty sure the gr-2's are under warranty unless the drop is more than 1.5".

Delvin

Technically speaking the rear is a strut. A lot smaller and different than the front but its a strut. GR-2s should be ok as long as you aren't using a really aggressively rated spring. They really aren't a performance strut but they are slightly more aggressive than the stockers. I've got Eibachs with GR-2s and love the ride.

GeeShack

Thanks for the info guys. Does anybody know how the new Tokico springs handle? I'll either get those or Maxspeed. Are these good choices for the GR2's?

GodsmackMAX

iTrader: (4)

Thanks mzmtg... I'm not sweating now!

I was just gonna match them up with Maxspeed as I already have the springs. This sounds like a common combo on the org. Thanks again!

Dave B

You get what you pay for. A lot of us have learned that over the years. There are only two quality springs on the market for the 4th gen Maxima that are matched well to the weight, offer excellent handling and ride, and don't lower the car to the extreme that all-around safety is compromised through limited wheel travel. The springs are Eibachs (1.7/1.5" drop) and H&R (1.7/1.5" drop).

For struts, the same is true. You've got 3 options and 3 options only if you want to have good handling car that's dampened correctly and won't blow struts quickly:

1) AGX = multi adjustable, pretty stiff regardless of setting, easy to adjust, can handle a drop

2) Koni = multi adjustable, soft to stiff, excellent ride quality, fronts require some easy fabrication to fit, the rears aren't easily adjustable, probably the best strut for a street car, can handle a drop

3) Illumnias = multi adjustable, noted as riding pretty good and softer than the AGX, but still well dampened, easy to adjust, can handle a drop


Standard non-adjustable struts CANNOT handle any sort of drop effectively because their not designed for the task. The much higher rate springs will wear out the struts quickly. There are plenty of people that say their non-adjustable struts are fine, but I can guarentee you their handling and overall reliability cannot match what the adjustables can offer. When the weather gets hot, the strut fluids become thinner therefore the struts dampen less. The adjustables will let you firm up the struts to control the dampening. The opposite holds true for the winter.

I've had Suspension Techniques springs, Intrax springs, H&R springs, stock struts, GR-2 struts, Koni struts, and AGX struts. My current setup is H&R, Koni front, and AGX rear. The setup is light years ahead of my other setups and I plan on dumping the AGXs (too harsh) for some Koni rears. I'm a firm believer in the quality, ride, and handling of the Konis.


Dave

damadmonk

OK, i'll be the first to admit that I had H&R springs riding on GR-2s. BOTH rear struts blew after 8 months. Granted I'm driving in NYC roads, but still.

I just replaced fronts and rears with AGXs last month, and the ride is SO MUCH BETTER.

And I have to agree with Dave B on the springs. Two of my friends have AGXs with other springs, and they are way too harsh even on the softest settings.

97blackSE

iTrader: (1)

im suprised tom hasnt hit this thread up yet

GeeShack

So I now understand that the konis or AGX's are the way to go, if i only plan on dropping 1.5"front and 1.3"rear, will the GR2's be able to handle it, on roads that aren't that rough where I live.

Jatan

iTrader: (3)

If you get Tokico Blues, then the rears will blow fast. GR-2s can handle a normal drop. GR-2s CANNOT handle the drop from Sprint springs.

I'm fine with GR-2s and MaxSpeed springs

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

how long did you have this setup?

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

i am gonna go with maxspeed/GR-2 in jan, i was suppose to last month but other things came up

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaHandling

TofuShop

i thought GR-2's are like stock replacements? they'e not exactly performance oriented?

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Dave B's post should be stickied!!!!

GR-2 are 15% stiffer than OEM. AGX on 2/4 are same as GR-2. Tokico HP are OEM replacement.

I have stock springs all around, for winter in Maine!, with AGX in the rear. I have no problems with them being too stiff or harsh. I had Intrax on stock (SE) struts, while not a good combo they held up fine, other than one tiny leak, for 8-9 months. On the comparison side.....not a huge difference, stock a tad softer, handle the same in everyday driving, have not gone crazy because of the snow.

BTW what is the difference between struts and shocks?

felix

iTrader: (13)

What do you mean when you say a normal drop (as far as inches)?

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

They are both dampers. They do the same thing.

Struts are part of the suspension's structure, shocks are not.

You could remove the shocks from the back axle of a truck and still drive it.

The Maxima's front and rear suspensions would collapse without the struts in place.

Get it?

Jatan

iTrader: (3)

I had mine since August about 4k miles ago

I consider a normal drop to be around 1.5" that most springs have. Sprint springs have ~2" drop so that's not a "normal" drop GR-2s should be fine with springs like MaxSpeed, Eibach, H&R, etc. http://maxmods.dyndns.org/?MaximaSprings tells you which springs should go with which struts

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Thanks Ben... so simple.

maxdick

I have been wanting to drop my max since I got it more than two years ago, but since the roads are soo F**CKING horrible here in NY, I've been afraid to. Let me know how your AGX's hold up with the H&R, especially thru the winter. We should have a special forum for people from NYC

Jatan

iTrader: (3)

This should be close enough http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=15