Hey guys, I have to change the front sway bar and links on my 1996 Maxima GXe, 5spd, 297000kms !! I have to change everything and I was wondering if they make a performance sway bar. I intend to drop the car and put konis next summer, that would be a good start i guess. Also, Is there a difference between the SE and the GXE's sway bar ???


Thanks a lot !!

Char

 

I have never heard of a different swaybar. The only thing I can think is to put a SE bar in if you have a GLE or GXE. I know they are different because the diameter for the bushings are different. The SE bar is 1-3mm thicker than the GLE/GXE unit. Just out of curiousity why does the whole thing need to be replaced? You hit a really nasty bump or what? How is your lower control arm not bent?

 

I have been told by my mechanic that after 300000km, the bar could be starting to be more flexible... He said that it rubbed a bit against the control arm. The control arms are new as well. Furthermore, I was looking for a better feeling while driving... I dont know if the Se will fit on my GXE. I wonder if its bolt on...

 

1) Your mecanic is nuts
2) I've seen performance front bars for the 4-gen
3) I have one on my 3-gen. Must have mod IMHO. But make sure you have the RSB FIRST or at the same time.

 

If you had any idea how the suspension was laid out, you'd know he was flat out lying to you about this.

 

I do know how the suspension is laid out, I just replaced both strut mounts this week. Might the bushings be so dead that it actually rubs a bit anyways ??

Is it possible to fit the SE sway bar and bushings on my GXE ?

Thanks


***EDIT*** I just verified with Nissan, parts, and they said that hey only had one part number for the sway bar, one model from 95 to 04-96 and then another for 05-96 till 99 for the maxima, doesnt matter if you have an SE, GXE or GLE... ?? They said the only difference was the U shaped mount in the middle of the sway bar, different for the SE, but then links and the bar itself are the same !!


I think what my mechanic was referring to is, is it possible for the bar to not have the same characteristics as when new, IE, can it become kidna softer ???


***END OF EDIT***

 

Anyone else ??

Thx

 

First of all. The frame mount is not in the middle. It is u-shapped but there are two of them and they are pushed to the outside. The bushings also have different part numbers. I suggest finding out which bar is larger and putting that in there along with the corresponding frame mounts and bushings.

Jeff, please link me to this FSB you speak of. I'm interested, not criticizing. Just wondering why this isn't on MaxMods.

 

I've only seen it vaguely. You probably have to dig though the 4-gen for sale section. But it's probably deep in there

 

I've never heard of this aftermarket FSB. I've seen companies that listed it, but in the end it turned out being the ST set for the 3rd gen. If you're really looking for a stiffer front sway section, get the energy suspension bushings for the front.

 

What would the effects be if I got a stiffer front sway bar by putting hard bushings... I know about ride quality. But wouldnt that make the car understeer more ?? I have to change them anyways... So anyone else thinks that a sway bar can become SOFT over time ??

Thx

 

Maybe someone should fabricate one.
________
DeepImpression cam

 

didn't stillen made a front sway bar??? but i think they drop it of production because not many people willing to replace the oem




more info

 

Dont bother trying to order SE bushings through Nissan. Just get the polyurethane ones by Energy Suspension. They are about $6 through www.suspension.com

Also, dont over-torque them or they will split. Don't ask me how I know

 

Wouldn't something like this be rather hard to fabricate due to its solid structure. Bending straight metal would create wrinkles and then it would always flex there instead of being rigid.

 

Anyone know by any luck what part number is required for Energy suspension Link kit bushings... I got the one for the U shaped frame bushings.. but not the ones on the link kits...

Thanks,
C

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....front+sway+bar

Whiteline might be a source. I thoght I saw that Progress made a front bar also

 

I looked into this a year or so ago with Matt Cragin. We couldn't find a smaller aftermarket 4th gen bar prebuilt. Saner and others of course could mfg one if you really wanted.

Can anybody with a GXE or GLE accurately measure their FSB diamater please.

According to JerryRome's database there are 2 diff p/n's listed.
5461131U00 for an SE and 5461131U10 for the GXE/GLE. Both "from 4/96".

I continue to run w/o a FSB for better turn in.

 

Why would you want a thicker front sway bar? All that will do is promote understeer, and thus decrease handling. That is why we install rear sway bars on maximas, to make handling more neutral. I would say better bushings would be good, but a new bar would be a waste of money, in my opinion. Do you have a rsb?

 

No, unfortunately I dont have the RSB yet. I thought having a bigger front and a bigger rear would still get a neutral handling balance while promoting less lean into corners at the same time. I have ordered the ES frame bushings for the front and will order the other ones afterwards, once I know which size I need for the link bushings as they are universal. The sway bar is pretty rusted but I dont think it should affect the handling. And what is rubbing on the control arm is the end of the link kit. I also need to take car of the crossmember that goes from front to back as they bushings are dead too. And also, it seems that I will need to change the radiator crossmember as well or have new nuts soldered into it as I have an issue overthere as well...

 

Do yourself a favor and find another mechanic.

 

don't know in your particular case but on my old 94 protege my front sway bar broke twice , wasn't lowered and using oem struts evrything in suspension was almost new including the 2nd bar

 

Charancon, you have many errors or myths in your believes of the Maxima suspension and front end layout. 1. The Max doesn't have a stock RSB and therefore when you put in an aftermarket unit you are not upsizing. There is only one diameter of RSB produced for our vehicles. 2. The bushings on the engine suport are mainly there to stop vibrations. Those have very little to do with handling. Much less than say the engine mounts(which are primarly to stop vibration as well but do much more for that) or the lower control arm bushing or the endlinks and FSB frame bushings. You can completely illiminate the front two of these engine crossmember bushings by welding the engine crossmember to the radiator support as I have. You could also weld it to the rear member. I have not yet done this but I will shortly and recomend it seeing as it reduces engine movement. 3. The bolts and nuts on the end of the radiator support do nothing but hold the tow hooks on. And we all know that our cars never need to be towed so you might as well remove those. The radiator support is a welded in piece. Now that everything is clarified, comence fixing your problems.

 

I have an ST bar in front and a larger Addco bar in back (3-gen). STock 3-gen front bar is hollow. ST bar is solid. Handling is MUCH better with the upgrade front bar. MUCH less dive-in though sharp turns. Much less stress on the rear side also. Handling stayed near neutral.