I'm planning to get my new Illuminas installed by next week I wanted to replace some other suspension components if they are going to help bring the car closer to factory new. This is a list of things i've found so far:

Front

Strut Spacer 54329-39U00
Strut Bearing 54325-5V000
Strut Dust Cover (Boot) 54050-31U01
Rubber seat 54034-0W000 OR 54034-85E10 ??
Polyurethane sleeve 54034-85E10 OR 54034-31U01 ??

Rear

Strut Spacer 56218-61L10
Dust Cover (Boot) 55240-01A00
Rubber Seat 55034-31U00
Polyurethane sleeve 55031-33P10
Cover Washer 55248-01U00
Isolation Bushing 56218-61L10

Please help me understand what the following parts do, where they are, and whether replacing them will help improve the ride or make for good "suspension maintainence":

1) Strut spacers
2) Rubber seats
3) Polyurethane sleeves
4) Cover washers
5) Isolation bushings

Thanks!

 

bump

Can someone please help?

 

Good luck getting the answers you need here. I was planning on installing other parts with new shocks and springs like you. What you can do is go to your Nissan Dealer and they will offer you a diagram. They can order any part you need. I did that, but decided to go with coilovers so I would get everything in one package.

 

This type of question is always har to answer because some parts there is no need to replace if it isnt worn out. The onyl way to find ou would be to take apart the suspension and examine each piece.

I say if you plan on getting a lifetime warantee, pull apart the suspension and examine each piece and then decide what is in bad shape and what isnt.

 

Very true MDeezy!

 

Go for struts, springs, boots, and anything you find worn or broken. Chances are the other items are OK...

 

Taking apart the suspension and inspecting everything myself like you guys are suggesting would be the ideal choice, but I unfortunately don't have the time, workspace, or experience to do this and so I'm getting it installed by a mechanic. I was going to just go ahead and buy whatever you guys suggest might be beneficial to replace even if it's not worn out - like "insurance for the suspension". I have the Illuminas and front strut bearings (because the left one has been making "crunking" noise while turning at rest during the winter), and I guess I will buy the boots. But is there anything else out of the list I made in my original post that you guys think I might as well buy for the mechanic to replace - even if there's a chance that the original part is ok? Thanks.

 

clunking noise would be the ball joint (gotta replace the control arm) wheel bearing would cause a scraping like sound but not a clunk.

 

This is from motorvate:

"When the steering wheel is turned quite a bit (like in a parking lot) you hear a crunk-crunk-crunk.
The upper strut bearing grease dries out which makes the bearing stiffer and more difficult to turn. When this happens, as you turn the steering wheel the bearing does not move, but the front spring "winds up" until there is enough force to overcome the stiff bearing. Then you hear the crunk as the spring unwinds. The whole process repeats over as you turn the steering wheel. "


... But I am still waiting for someone to help me out in choosing which of the components i listed in my 1st post might be a good idea to replace even if there is a chance that the original part(s) are not worn out ...

 

I have a related question. Since I can't create new thread (<15 posts), I will post the question here and apologize in advance.

I got all 4 struts replaced last week by a local shop in Arlington TX with KYB GR2s. It took them 1.5 hrs to do all 4, and 30 min to correct their 1st mistake. After I drove out, I found the driver's side was making thumping sound whenever I turned the steering wheel. They reseated the driver side strut spring- no more thumping sound. I then drove 2200 miles to Seattle over the weekend. Now whenever I go over a speed bump (those found in parking lots), the passenger side makes squeaking sound (sounds something that comes from spring or bushing). Also, whenever I make sharp turns, the passenger side makes thumping sounds. I now suspect that the passenger side spring was not seated correctly as well when the new strut was installed, but it was not as bad as the driver's side. Here are my dilemmas:

1. Since I can't drive back to TX from Seattle to have the shop correct the problem, should I just live with the thumping sounds? Does it post any serious danger? It "seems" that it's getting worse because just 2 days ago there was no sound when I arrived in Seattle.

2. If I have to get it re-installed correctly, does anyone have recommendation on a good shop in Issaquah or Bellevue area? Or any forum member would do it for a fee? I am new to this area and would really be grateful for any help!