ampire

iTrader: (12)

I was wondering if anyone had a picture of the factory bump stop, the orange rubber piece that fits inside the dust boot.

When I did my suspension a month ago, I did not trim the bump stops, and I reused them and the top half of the dust boot cover.

I have noticed my struts bottoming on unavoidable pothole roads (typically DC) and I drive the car very slow and cautiously. My bumpstops were very worn looking and surprisngly thin (they looked like orange rings, rather than orange cylinders), when I did the suspension. Also, my factory dust cover bellows were completely shredded, which has me concerned that maybe the lower halves of my bumpstops were "precut" by age, as in they may have disintegrated into a smaller cylinderical height. I installed new bellows.

I am concerned that my suspension will not last very long and I would like to see a picture of how the factory bump stop should look to make sure what I reinstalled was adequate.

95franklin

You probably should have replaced the stops and boots when you did your suspension. You can buy KYB ones from tirerack.com. Don't bother buying the Miata/Mustang combo like it says in the suspension how-to, they didn't fit quite right for me. If you do want to go OEM, look at the suspension thread, http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...n-updated.html. It's in the faq's.

ampire

iTrader: (12)

I didn't like the KYB ones, I bought them (not the miata/mustang combo but the Maxima ones) and they didn't fit well. The hole wasnt large enough to accomodate the strut's shaft. I used the bellows from the KYBs however. Ill jack up the car and see if I can coax out the bumper for a picture later.

ampire

iTrader: (12)

IIRC, the inner bump stop piece didn't look like that at all. The stop looked like between 2 and from where he has marked 3 and up, I would say like 2.5. Below that, the bottom part was not existant. I did this a month ago, so this is from memory...

ampire

iTrader: (12)

Another question I have is what setting will make my Illumina's last the longest?


I have two mutually exclusive theories:
1. a softer setting (2) would result in the shock rebounding less aggressively and thereby being less likely to bottom out.

2. a harder setting (5) would make the shock less compressible and thereby make it less likely to bottom out.


I am not a mechanical engineer, I am a financial analyst...

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

The setting you chose to ride on has no effect on life span. (to a point)
The roads you drive upon will effect their life span as will the spring you couple them with.

ampire

iTrader: (12)

Does Courtesy Nissan part 54050m include the bump stop or is it just the dust cover/bellows?

http://www.courtesyparts.com/kb_search_result.php?keywords=[54050M]+\%28a32b&cPath=1783_1784_1873_1875

Should I order the SE or the GLE/GXE variant? Which is the better version? Has anyone personally ordered either?

ampire

iTrader: (12)

I ordered the 54050m for the SE Model. I will post a picture up for future reference when it arrives .

Trini Boom

iTrader: (5)

The boot has the bumper stop at the top of it as with the GLE and SE, it is in side the boot itself. I have ordered the GXE version and I can't personally tell you if its better or not..

sdineen

I have a 2003 SE and this boot issue is confusing (the struts, are covered). All the recommendations are OEM so going that route, but between the 54050 and 54040, I'm confused. One set LOOKS like the fronts, and one like the rears, comparing to what I see for KYB replacement options anyway. Anyone confirm? I know I need fronts, they are shot, but can't make out the rears. http://www.courtesyparts.com/54050m-...ml?cPath=1956&

cashoit

First off, u in the 4th gen section. U need to be in the 5th gen.

Secondly, get the oem dustboots. They come with the bumpstops installed.

Call courtesyparts.com so they can properly help u. The fronts and rears will be different.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

check out this link and look at item # 10

http://nissan4u.com/parts/maxima/us_...llustration_2/