I was just at Pep Boys and the dude that gave me the compressors said he doesn't think I need them for the rear. He said just put it on the stands, disconnect the shocks, and lower the rear axle with a jack. I said, hmmmm, maybe, I'll consult the .org (maxima bible).

Thanx for any feedback.

Off Topic but it reminded me of last week, I was shopping around different garages, asking the mechanics what they would charge me for installing my new suspension, I told them I have the shocks and struts already, at one or two of the garages, the guys insisted that my car had struts all around. I am under the impression there are only shocks in the rear??? Right.

 

You will need a spring compressor for the rear springs. Please refer to the Chilton repair manual, page 8-20, Figure 67.

This is a matter of nomenclature. Technically, the 4Gen has struts only in the front. However, many people use (or misuse) the term strut for the coil/shock assembly in the rear. The Maxima factory service manual uses the term strut in the Rear Axle section. Chilton (page 8-20) refers to the rear coil/shock assembly as a strut.

I'm willing to go along with those who use strut for the rear coil/shock assembly. The distinction I make is this: If you can remove the shock and still drive the car, it is a shock. If the shock is an essential part of what fastens the wheel to the vehicle, and you can't drive the car with the shock removed, it is a strut. Corrections are invited...

 

You will NEED spring compressors for the REARS.

PLEASE DO NOT attempt to remove your spring/strut assembly WITHOUT compressors installed first!!

You WILL hurt yourself without them compressors...

-dashingMax

 

I changed all my stuff without compressors.. just sit down and squish it down.. not too hard ! no compressor needed here on front or back. to remove or put back on

 

BINGO!!!

 

I guess that the Chilton & Haynes repail manuals are both wrong!! They ALL advice that spring compressors MUST be installed before removing the springs from the strut assembly.

Why not just do it for safety reasons? I prefer to be Safe than Sorry.

Prevention is better than Cure my friend...

-dashingMax

 

my advice is to use the compressors... but the rears do come off without them needed... the fronts are a diffrent matter though
better safe than sorry

 

FWIW the Maxima factory service manual also instructs the technician to use a spring compressor.

 

BINGO!! The compressors are suggested ,not required.

 

As he said...

"stand over it and push down on the top plate. <B>IF</B> you can compress the spring far enough to move the plate away from the nut that secures it together, no need for a spring compressor."

The keyword here is "IF". Not everyone is capable to stand over the spring/strut assembly and do a circus style act.

Just install the darn compressors instead of jumping and dancing over some metal parts and having a friend watch you do that.
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On the same token, you may also argue that "IF" you can remove the lug nuts by hand, then you don't need a wrench. Therefore to remove the wheel from your car a wrench is OPTIONAL and not REQUIRED!! C'mon!!

 

Your 'analogy' makes no sense. You CAN'T remove the lugnuts without a wrench, its not an OPTIONAL accessory, it is necessary. I CAN and HAVE taken off springs without the compressor. And as for safety? Only an idiot will loosen the retaining bolt standing right over the assembly. Is it a safety feature, yes it is, but then again, according to Chilton's if you change your lightbulbs, you should disconnect the battery. A reasonably intelligent person can do it without the compresssor and without hurting themself. BTW, have you EVER changed the suspension?