Okay.

I've had my Max about a month now and the handling seems fine to me. But I see all this talk of suspension mods, so I'm curious. I know the FSTB won't make the ride harsher, but what about the sway bar? I'm looking for testimonials here, not "it oughta be smoother except for these types of bumps."

I've always driven rear-drives and I think the Max is a little understeery. But I don't know.

I don't want to make the car ride any harsher. I take 5-9 hour trips regularly and I want a smooth rider.

Later,

-- Brian

 

The ride won't get any harsher. Though you may notice that the rear becomes a little "happier" around very bumpy turns.
The rear end will be more isolated so it will hop more. But around smooth roads.. You won't notice its there. Except for the fact that you will have less body roll and you no longer have to slow down for those bends on the highway. =)
As for testimonials. The night I installed my RSB. I took a turn normally taken at 40-45 at 60mph! With my stock tires. No, this wasn't a G pulling sweeper. It was a very fast kink in the highway. But you get the idea.

ZuM

 

With a RSB your car will feel like a civic or something smaller. The back end tucks better than some rear drive cars and the car is very easy to drive quickly - any speed, any road, anywhere...you will notice an improvement.
The understeer is eliminated and unless you push it you'll be fine.
This is one of the best handling investments around.
Have fun. My 95 GXE that I have done nothing too no feels like a sloppy Amrican Sedan (WHAT AN INSULT).
My 97 SE is superbly balanced, and much more fun to drive -same power train, same body style, sme weight, smae everything but the car will be transformed.

 

My suggestion: get the stillen RSB.
it's adjustable and you can set it to a more aggressive driving style, the addco is fixed directly under the rear beam axle..

i have set my RSB a little bit forward than the rear beam and the ride is very very "stable" especially on high speed cornering. BUT BE WARNED: the rsb acts like a spring and WILL have the rear pop out on severe hard cornering... you'll be driving on three wheels if your at the track, which IMHO, drives the maxima better for handling sake.

it's fun, but a bit dangerous if you're not used to driving the car hard for the car will turn in much faster than before.

 

I had my RSB for months now, and I haven't really noticed a difference. The Max is my first FWD car. Before I had my RSB I went fast through corners and still do, but not that much faster. Before the RSB, I didn't like the body roll(car bending to one side) and the RSB cured that. The ride has not gotten harsher, I know you will not feel any difference going on a straight road.

 

Hey! My last car was a Caprice!

I think I'd like the RSB. Is it important to brace up the back end (RSTB) to accommodate the increased stresses of the sway bar? My Max is a 98 -- supposedly reinforced a bit over the earlier fourth gens.

-- Brian R.

 

much more oversteer. it can be tricky at first!

 

btw the ride will not be harsher/smoother. not like it's becoming an independent susp.

 

Rear Sway Bar will give you the most bang-for-the buck on suspension mods IMHO. It makes your Maxima fun going around the corner and I'm just talking about regular driving. In autoXing, I don't know how I can do w/o it.

Your ride will be the same - no hash bouncing like stiffer springs mod or any thing like that. In other words NO DOWN SIDE to this mod.

There is a good group deal right now. If you decide to get in to the group deal - ask if the sway bar comes with poly-uthane (sp?) bushing or not. Insist on Poly-uthane bushings. It'll last much longer than rubber bushings.

Hope this helps.

 

what company is offering a group deal on the RSB for the maxima's. Please tell me its Stillen!!