Tfvesquire

iTrader: (2)

Well, I finally got my factory alarm issues solved, so I focused on the maintenance. I purchased a set of factory struts (front with about 10k miles on them, rears with about 50K) I received them yesterday and looked up the numbers on the struts. Unfortunately, they came up for a 2000-2001 Max, not for my '98 SE.

I held them right beside each other and they look like they will fit, but I wanted a second opinion before I remove the old set. Does anyone know if these struts will fit? Or can they be modified to fit? If they won't fit, please let me know the reasons based on fact (ie: lower bolt holes won't line up), not a guess based on the model year.

Thanks everyone!!

Ted, Chicago

Mxrider52

iTrader: (8)

One set will the front or rears? not sure which it is but one of the 2 will but the other 2 wont

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

Vsamolyv...or how ever u spell him name was riding on 5th gen suspension...as him

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Here you go: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...85&postcount=2

Rears fit, fronts don't. Apparently the upper bolts on the 5th gen front are further apart than 4th.

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

ooh mayeb i can find 5th gen Koni Yellows for the rear cheaer than 4th gens...good info

Tfvesquire

iTrader: (2)

Thanks everyone for your replies and info. I sent vortechpower a PM and asked how far off the upper bolt holes were (1/4"? 1/2"?). I know the strut base has some fairly heavy duty steel, but I can drill a reasonably modified hole with the hardened bits I have. Hopefully the holes aren't too far off. Will keep you posted and measure them before I do any drilling. If it is ridiculously off, I will have to list them.

86maxima96

iTrader: (10)

well, you could do it like aftermarket rims are. with different bolt patterns, they just stager the holes a bit to get two compatible patterns in one. you could do that to the holes in the engine bay maybe? not sure how much structural integrity you will sacrifice, though. worth a shot? would be nice to be able to interchange 5th and 4th gen suspension parts. any ideas on this?

Tfvesquire

iTrader: (2)

Not sure what you mean by "holes in the engine bay" are you referring to the three strut mounting holes on top? You can reuse your original mounts, so that is not an issue.

I rec'd a response from vortechpower who had the same problem when Tokico sent him the wrong struts. He simply said that the difference was significant enough that he didn't want to deal with it. Unfortunately, I purchased these used, so I can't exchange them and returning them for a refund will probably give me more of headache than a little drilling.

Before any drilling, I will support one of the strut assemblies from the bottom, remove both lower bolts and properly measure the distance between the exact center of the original lower strut mount and compare it with the 5th Gen. Hopefully, I can reuse the lower hole and only have to modify the upper, to make it closer together. There is plenty of metal, so strength shouldn't be a problem. The mounting collar is made of thick steel, so I am glad I happen to have a box full of hardened drill bits.

Will keep you guys posted if this is even possible and worth the hassle. Man, I wish some people would list parts properly, so I wouldn't have to go through this hassle. If this works, it will be the first 5th Gen front strut swap that I've heard of........Do I get a gold star??

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

i think he meant the upper hole for where the strut mounts to the spindle

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

got to cattmans site and look at thier modified agx for the 5th gen. its a 4th gen strut with some metal welded on and upper bolt hole redrilled. its not off by much and i belive they overlap.

Tfvesquire

iTrader: (2)

JSutter:

Thanks for the info. I contacted Cattman and he explained that the holes are approx 3/4" apart, so they simply cut off the lower mounting plate and fabricate a brand new one and then weld it on. I asked if I could simply remove my 4th Gen lower strut mount and he said I could run the risk of puncturing the strut trying to tap it off and then not being able to get it installed on the 5th Gen strut cartridge because I bent it out of shape removing it. I don't want to ruin a completely good set of struts and/or harming myself trying to hammer these off. I guess I will list them in the 5th Gen Forum and see if someone there needs them.

BTW, does anyone have a set of Factory 4th Gen front struts with low miles (ie: around 25K)? Please let me know. I really don't want to purchase a set of G2s or Tokico Blues. Trying to stay with factory parts.

Thanks!!

Ted, Chicago

max95q

iTrader: (10)

I have a set of factory struts and springs. My car just touched 70k. I think they are factory replaced ones because the ride was quite nice with them. I took them off because I wanted to lower my car with the tokico illumina kit.

vsamoylov

sorry guys for not responding to some emails and pms. just been really busy.

yes i been riding on a 5th gen setup which included the 5th gen struts and springs in the front and the rear were 5th gen shocks and springs. i currently have the same set up except the springs are now 4th gen. the rear are a direct bolt in but the front are not. you see the subframe is different on the
5th and 4th gen maxima which means the knuckles are different which means the front sruts are different. if you have all of the above like me on a 4th gen then yes it is a direct bolt on but if you dont, the holes in the struts itself will not match up to the holes in the knuckle. actually one hole will match up and the other wont. you could mess around with it and get them to match up but i was just messing aroudn with my suspension one day and just decided to see if it will work or not. hope that helps. and if you guys ever find a 5th gen subframe take it cause it is alot stiffer then the 4th gen.