I've read over the sticky for suspension, and it does have parts lists...however:

For someone that wants a stock (read: smooth) ride, what parts should I be replacing when I replace the struts? Just the struts? Ball joints? boots? Bushings (and if so, which ones?)? strut mounts? sway bar?




I'm guessing you'll say "replace what needs to be replaced" but I'm not that savvy...lol.

The car is a '95 SE with 270k miles on it. Last time suspension was taken care of was with the previous owner somewhere around 125k miles.

 

i just personally took a visit to the suspension sticky to make sure the answers to your questions were there..scroll down and read what is written. It is there to answer these questions. Educate yourself and then ask your questions. They indeed are there.

 

When you do the struts you'd want to replace any of the stuff that lives above the struts, which is all shown in the sticky.

Ball joints, bushings, etc could all be done as part of a separate service. If you have 150k+ on the parts any and all of the steering and suspension parts could be shot. Pay a shop 1/2 hour to check it out and tell you what is good and what isn't.

Be sure to post pics when you hot 300k

 

matts95max,

I'm guessing you are refering to this?

So from there I gather:

-struts ($60/each front, $60/each rear)
-strut mounts ($35/each front, $45/each rear)
-strut bearing (didn't see this on autozone's site...where can I get this?)
-control arms ($120/each)
-ball joints ($35/each)
-bushings (sub-frame $22, control arm bushing $35/each)
-inner and outer tie rods (inner $27/each, outer $27/each)
-sway bar end links and bushings ($27/each side)

So total, it seems I'm at $986. That seems like a lot of cash for replacing my struts!

Am I accurate, or is that all overkill for a daily driver?

What's a ballpark figure I can expect a shop to charge if I just take it in?

 

No

Maybe

 

^^huh?

 

that's what she said

 

lol, well im proud of you for gathering all that and trying. Most people when the "replace their struts" dont normally do all that stuff you listed. You could be fine with just replacing struts and strut mounts as of now. Or before hand, take a peak under the car and see what it looks like. I personally have 252k on my max and havent dont anything besides struts/springs. My friend (who works at nissan) told me I didnt need to replace that stuff yet, this was when I had my car up on the lift and he was looking at it all. SO if you are going to do the install yourself just take a look before you assume you need all this stuff. If you arent doing the install, have whoever is, look at it and tell you what components need to be replaced.

 

Since I don't yet have enough posts yet to make my own post, trying to ressurect one that has something to do with what I am asking about.

I just picked up a 1995 Maxima with 220k on the clock, so have some stuff to do. This will strictly be a daily driver, but I do tend to go OTT on stuff, so what the heck. One thing I need to do is replace the struts...looking at either the KYB GR-2 or Tokico HP. I've found them online at various places for about $300 for the set. Are there any of these "group buys" going on for either of these? These seem to be the most popular low-end options from what I can tell (and I don't want OEM, but a bit better). Thanks much.

 

I went with the monroe gas-o-matic and am very happy with them. They are quite stiff, nice in the turns

 

Struts, strutmounts, perhaps the dust boots on the front struts and the springs if they are squeeking... If you get lowered springs, dont go with stock shocks as they will blow shortly. If you go with stock height springs, any struts will suffice... These guys have given their recommendations...

 

i had to replace the strut mounts, and the dust boots on mine when i did the suspension.

 

At 169K last fall I replaced a good chunk of the suspension. Since I had a leaking right rear shock, I assumed the struts were pretty much done too and also had rattling ball joints. I also figured the control arms had thier share of use. Replaced the original shocks and struts w/ KYB GR2, strut mounts & bearings, both control arms, ball joints, outer tie rods, bushings, swaybar end links .. Max felt (and still feels) like new. I ordered parts from rockauto.com and had a shop do the suspension work.