McNasty360

I have put a couple of posts up stating that I need new struts, but before I did them I took my car to a mechanic today to see if there was anything else wrong with it. The guy told me that I need a new lower control arm, new struts all around, new brakes and rotors all around and something called an oil swish. He then said, with a strait face, that it'll cost 1100 with generic parts and 1800 with Nissan parts because Nissan struts cost 500 bucks for a pair. I must have worn my stupid shirt today or something. I told him that when there's moisure in the air that I near a squeaking noise, like when you need a new timing belt, and he said that Maxima's don't use timing belts. I thought we did and Altimas use timing chains. Well whatever. Do you guys know any sites where I can get these parts from Nissan and not get screwed.

tbergma1

talk to another mechanic, get a second opinion. If you need new shocks, might as well lower it. I got the tokico set # is HPK245, i think they were $450. This kit comes with shocks and springs and lowers it about 1.5 inches. The ride is not bad at all. Make sure you get the top strut bearings, you will def need those. Also get new dust boots.

Brakes, well get the rotors from like autozone or something, real cheap. I have used generic parts and have not gone wrong yet. Look for a good deal in the paper for brake jobs.

Maxima's have no timing belts but they do have 2 serpatine belts. check them out if there cracked, if not just ask them to tighten it up. Thats where your squeeling is comin from.

Getting the parts well, all i can say is do google searches for them. Thats what i did and its gona take a few hours of research to find the best deals.

godlyone

Not sure about struts but.. maximas do not use timing belts.. we have timing chains.

tbergma1

http://www.apwonline.com/shop/item.a...14248&catid=47

This is where i bought the shocks and springs

McNasty360

thanks a lot. I have really been looking for some lowered springs, so they come in as set whith the dust boots and strut bearings?

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

What problems are you exactly having with your car that it needs all of those parts?


Go to another shop as stated before.

tbergma1

Nope need to buy the strut bearings and dust boots seperate. Do a google search on this and see what you can find.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Nissan OEM front struts $130 each from Pinnacle Nissan

The rear shocks go for $71 bucks each.

You can get aftermarket replacement units, Tokico Blue performance front struts and rear shocks (all 4) for under 300 bucks.

The oil pressure switch is probably leaking, a common problem. The unit goes for about 30 bucks at most auto parts stores. Intallation is 5 minutes....

You can get rotors for a 4th gen Max for as cheap as 30 bucks each and pads go for around 45 a set.

You should be able to have a good mechanic do everything required for around 800 bucks. That is quite a bit of work, shop around...

tbergma1

Has anyone not use dust boots? How long? Whats the curren status of shocks without them?

McNasty360

yeah I went to Pinnacle Nissan and found all those parts for 618 bucks, that guy was really trying to rip me off. I wan to lower the car and I found a site with the Tokico HP kit for 455 including shipping, I was wondering if that was all I needed and it's good to find out the other stuff. Are the Tokico Blue good? Do they lower the car? Do the strut bearings and dust boots have to be specefic to my car or are they generic?

tbergma1

You can buy generic dustboots and strut bearings. Dont remember where i got mine, can any of you guys tell him where to get stuff like that.

Almost forgot how are all your cv boots. Might want to change those too.

ImmaSquashYou

iTrader: (7)

you went to a mechanic......those prices seem right to me...you have no idea how much it costs to do something until you need it done. my .02 do everything easy yourself. get coilovers and you can do it yourself. get a haynes manual, you can do the brakes yourself.

TrackSmart

iTrader: (1)

Please do a little bit of research before deciding on which strut/spring combination to buy. There are lots of people here that can offer advice. You need to think about:

1) Price (what is your budget)
2) Ride quality (do you want a stiffer ride or more comfort oriented ride)
3) Drop (how low do you want to go?)
4) Are the struts and springs you picked well-paired?

This website is a little dated, but is a great place to start your research:

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/


Here are some common combinations people are running on these forums and approximately how much they will drop your car compared to stock:

1) El-Cheapo Drop:
Struts = KYB GR2 - $270
Springs = Maxspeed Springs (1.5 inch drop) - $125

2) Sporty handling (firm) but with pretty good Ride Quality:
Struts = Tokico Illuminas - $450
Springs = H&R Sport Springs or Tein H-techs (1.5 inch drop) - $180

3) Softest Riding drop:
Struts = Tokico Blue - $300
Springs = H&R Sport Springs (1.5 inches drop) - $180

4) Big Drop
Struts: Tokico Illuminas - $450
Springs: Tein S-tech (2.2 inch drop) - $180
Also Needed: Camber kit - $40

5) Ultimate Handling (most expensive, too!!!)
- Coilover kit. Don't ask me which coilover kit to get as I haven't done my research on them. These offer adjustable ride height and adjustable stiffness. If you want the ultimate handling, this is what you need, if you can afford it that is! About $800 - $1500 depending on which one you get.