Hey,
I've been looking through the stickies for suspension installs and I need a bit more info. I'm putting on my Tein H-Techs, KYB GR-2s, new KYB mounts, bearings, and bump/dustboots this weekend. I'm mechanically inclined but I want the install to go as smooth and quicky as possible without having stop due to a needed part ect. I have a few questions:

1. Did you re-use the rubber OEM spring seats?
2. Did you use any grease?
3. Does the KYB bump/boot need to be cut down any?
4. Spring alignment within strut - use OEM configuration?
5. Do you need camber bolts with H-techs since the drop is moderate?

Any other tips? Thank you in advance.

 

should look in the how to section its all right there..

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....29#post2393829

 

Yes, I saw the H&R spring install notes thanks.

I just wanted some comments from those that were familiar with the Tein H-techs since the drop is moderate. My Tein instructions indicate no need to cut bump stops - just what to be sure before I put all this together and find I have to take it all apart again - PITA. Same for camber adjustment/bolts.

 

I have the Tein H, it's a conservative drop. I wouldn't worry about camber but it is advisable to get realigned (though I never do). Might be a good idea to cut off a small portion of the OE bumpstops but I have the rear strut mounts and modified front Konis. You keep your existing spring seats. Replacement of the front strut bearings are advised while you're at it.

 

Thanks Chunger.

 

intereasting they say to follow what the manufacture suggests.

I just got my sexy green s-tech yesteraday and according to the sheet none of the bump stop should not be cut (for 95-99 max anyway).

I'd advise following the manufacture, or PM a bunch of people with H-techs and ask if they cut the bump stops.

 

I have GR2s and H-techs. DON'T cut the bump stops. They will be fine. The drop is not enough to seriously decrease the travel range of the struts.

I second replacing the STRUT BEARINGS while you are in there. For the small price of the part you will save major headaches later!

Careful with those springs man! If you have trouble removing the center nut (the deadly one) on the strut mounts, you may want to loosen the big middle bolt while the car is on the ground, so you can get leverage. But make sure you just LOOSEN it, barely. Or else...

 

i dont know how far the tein h drop the car but im on tein 2 and kyb and have no trouble with anything and the are a 2.2 front 1.8 rear

 

Dont buy the KYB mounts, get some OEM

 

I would say definitely cut your bump stops even with a moderate drop. I have the High Techs and recently cut my front bump stops in half. I honestly haven't noticed a huge difference, but over big bumps the ride is theoretically smoother because you're not pounding the bump stops.

Think about it, you're dropping the car 1.5" ish in front, so cutting the bump stops about 1" is definitely advisable if you want to keep the stock spring travel. Just cut after the first two accordian sections of the stock bump stops, it's about halfway or 1".

TrackSmart, ever heard of spring compressors? You will definitely need spring compressors to separate the stock springs from the struts. And there's no question about it, no matter what you will need to loosen the center nuts on the strut assemblies from the engine bay while they are still on the car. They are too tight to try to remove off the car! Loosen until the top of the nut is just below the top of the stud. Then remove the strut/spring assembly, put on spring compressors and tighten, and finally remove the center nut all the way. Voila, it all comes apart.

 

dam i did my suspension 2 weeks ago and i dont even know wtf bump stops are??

btw eibach and illuminas

 

Holy Crap! I wasn't suggesting doing the install without them! Clearly I was giving some advice for removing the center bolt - i.e. loosen it while the car is on the ground! You just basically reiterated what I said. No need to get touchy... "Ever heard of a spring compressor".

Sorry, just slightly offended. I shouldn't be so touchy myself! No harm meant.

 

My fault—I thought you meant to unscrew the center nut on the stock spring assembly until the spring forced it off and everything went flying!

 

Ha Ha Ha! Wow, maybe I should be careful to word things more clearly! I hope that's not the impression that others got when they read that. That would be DANGEROUS advice! Ah well. It's clarified now at least.

 

Ok fronts are done as of this evening. Overall, it was alot easier than I expected although I had one issue. All I have to say is those two lower bolts that connect the stut to the knuckle where a PITA. They were frozen stuckafter 170,000 miles- they "laughed" my impact wench and I cracked a 17mm socket with breaker bar. I added some penetrating oil (let it soak a while) and finally got them off with an impact wrench socket and a breaker bar after hitting awhile with the impact wrench. Get 'er done!!

BTW, I went with the KYB mounts although I know some on the ORG say they are inferior to OEM - I already had them so I guess I will see how they hold up. I expected my strut bearings to be ground to dust but they were surprinsingly in good visual shape - I replaced them of course since I had the duh..duh..duh spring coil-up sound when turing the steering wheel - been driving me nuts for the last 50,000 miles.

I'm all set for the rears tomorrow - I'm a cheap bast*ard so I'm going to match the Tein-H's with my stock rear shocks - I'm sure they will blow soon.

Thank you all for you suggestions.

 

Yep, I cracked sockets trying to get those bolts off too. That was before I thought to use an impact socket with a breaker bar...the impact sockets won't crack.

 

Glad to hear everything turned out well!