4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Front Suspension - Again

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-11-2010, 09:55 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
maximagasm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
Front Suspension - Again

99 Automatic stock setup. New Tokico blues with new strut mounts and bearings within last 6 months. Still feels and sounds awful, especially small bumps and potholes at slower speeds. When i've backed up and then switch into drive to go forward or vice versa suspension clunks LOUDLY when it engages to go in the opposite direction even though car is stationary and brakes are applied. Not bad at highway speeds. No vibrations or feeling of looseness. But bumps are still bumpy and loud. Im suspicious of my Autozone strut mounts because I've had them seperate (rubber separates from metal) in the past. My Tokicos made the back end feel and sound great and I'd like to get the same up front. Ideas? Thanks all.
maximagasm is offline  
Old 04-11-2010, 02:42 PM
  #2  
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
njmaxseltd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
The clunk when you change gears might be an engine mount, being it's happening while the brake is applied. How is the rest of the front end? Sway bar links, control arm ball joints and bushings? How many miles are on the car? What size tires are you running and in what condition are they? What are you inflating your tires to (cold)?

The Tokico Blues should give you a really nice smooth compliant ride.
njmaxseltd is offline  
Old 04-11-2010, 04:55 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Trini Boom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,406
Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
The clunk when you change gears might be an engine mount, being it's happening while the brake is applied. How is the rest of the front end? Sway bar links, control arm ball joints and bushings? How many miles are on the car? What size tires are you running and in what condition are they? What are you inflating your tires to (cold)?

The Tokico Blues should give you a really nice smooth compliant ride.

I don't mean to hijack your thread but the Tokico blues, where did you guys purchase them? Also, are they cheaper than the dealer price?
Trini Boom is offline  
Old 04-11-2010, 04:59 PM
  #4  
Member
 
bkbajan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 209
if you hear the clunking noise when u brake..try this.
drive slowly..slow enuff to have a friend walk beside the car and observe the front wheels..apply the brakes and have the friend watch out for forward and backward movement of ur front wheels..if so,then u have bad radius bushings in ur control arms. just get some new ones..the entire control arm assembly..check ebay
bkbajan is offline  
Old 04-11-2010, 06:17 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
maximagasm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
107k on stock tires in good condition. I haven't had any abnormal wear on these tires which is what I saw on my old max and was fixed when I replaced my control arms and ball joints on my 3rd gen. I'm was thinking strut mount bc of my previous problems and because I could imagine that the top of the strut inside the mount (if broken) has a chance to move. I could see that the strut would be pushed forward and backwards in accordance with the car being in forward or reverse. If tires CANT turn (brakes applied) when I shift from reverse to forward, first thing that would happen is the strut would move at the top through that slack in the mount and slam in the other direction.
maximagasm is offline  
Old 04-12-2010, 06:43 AM
  #6  
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
njmaxseltd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
It's very easy to see if the strut mount has failed. Just open the hood and look at the center nut. Have somebody rock the car back and forth, in grear, go from D to R. See if there is any movement in the mount.
njmaxseltd is offline  
Old 04-12-2010, 07:39 PM
  #7  
Member
 
oVeRdOsE's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 222
Same here, its killing me. Reverse/forward , click sound.

Changed bushings, link kit, sway bar bushing. Got 25 000 miles on my tokico, guess its not that.

Things left to check : lower ball joint and tie rod ball joint.

Axle assembly seems ok??? : they dont make sound when I'm turning.
oVeRdOsE is offline  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:21 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
joew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,272
can you folks direct where sway bar bushing is located. is this it? thanks.

joew is offline  
Old 06-29-2010, 09:49 AM
  #9  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
deezo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: FV, NC
Posts: 14,287
Originally Posted by joew
can you folks direct where sway bar bushing is located. is this it? thanks.

That's the end links but there are a couple more where the swaybar bolts to the frame of the car.
deezo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wyobbagy
8th Generation Maxima (2016-)
28
01-03-2023 12:03 PM
alahjahwan09
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
18
09-21-2015 09:12 PM
Hdnseek
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
3
09-09-2015 05:55 AM
jfl330
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
4
09-04-2015 01:44 PM
A32goldylocks
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
09-02-2015 06:39 AM



Quick Reply: Front Suspension - Again



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:45 PM.