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Handling sucks!!

Old 03-16-2014, 11:06 AM
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Handling sucks!!

So you don't know how much your maxima handling sucks until you drive other peoples cars. My gf's mazda 3, brothers Prelude BB6, cousins 370z, s2000 I test drove and gf's bmw 3 series. The thing is I don't expect it to be that great on those cars levels but even on a mazda 3 level?

My car is so freakin bouncy on the freeway I hate it and Im starting to hate this car if this is the best it gets maybe its just my car and something is wrong? The bodyroll on this car compared to those is so much, I want a firmly planted car that I can get to be a drivers car as much as possible hugging corners and curbs this car slides and has no rigidity at all.

any suggestions how to make it better or if anyone has a firmly planted maxima?
Current Mods: FSTB, H&R Springs, Tokico Blues rear, Unknown Strut in the Front.
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:33 AM
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my guess is the cars u drove were stock, which can handle better.

ur maxima has mods, therefor they may cause something. but can be fixed.
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:34 AM
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You may want to take a look at your struts & shocks to make sure they are ok. Adding a rear sway bar will help as well. If you haven't done so, cutting the bump stops will give you some suspension travel back so when you get to bigger bumps in the road you will have a little more suspension travel before bouncing off the bump stops. I've been out of the 4th gen stuff for a while, but with my 5th gen I went with softer bump stops from Napa. The rears on the 4th & 5th gens are pretty stiff..
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Old 03-16-2014, 12:53 PM
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I agree with blackmax. Struts are the things that keeps the car from bouncing. Adding a rear sway bar will improve the cornering more than a front sway bar will, but don't mis-interpret this as saying a front sway bar doesn't do anything.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:29 PM
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You are comparing sporty cars to a family sedan, it's not going to handle like them. I really miss how my civic handled, but the power and room of the max is nicer. If all of your suspension parts are warn then replacing those are going to help.

Also, you listed two girlfriends, nice haha.
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:42 PM
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A Mazda3 isn't a sporty car, just a size smaller than his Maxima. With upgraded parts, his car should be at least on par with the Mazda. The obvious problem is the incognito front struts, which may or may not be a good match with the Tokicos in back, and don't seem stiff enough for his springs. After that, I'd guess his bushings may need replacing as well.
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:37 PM
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Drop springs on old unknown front struts means blown struts in the most important location. No car will handle with shoddy mods and worn suspension. Get some new lowering struts and go from there.
Mine is solid at stock ride hight with Sensen struts, OE springs, and 235/45ZR17.

Last edited by asand1; 03-18-2014 at 02:14 AM.
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:28 PM
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Yup - lower more aggressive sport springs need a good set of shocks to control them. Couple that with aging chassis components and your ride sucks.

I run 5 speed springs up front on my auto, coupled with Illuminas. I just rebuilt the entire front end in December, everything was replaced. The car corners flatter then I ever remember with amazing ride control and stability. Litterly feels like a new car on the road.
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Old 03-16-2014, 06:14 PM
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Mazda 3 isnt a sporty car by anymeansis a far sportier car than a 4th gen maxima which was a luxury/performance grocery getter in it's day.

You can improve handling by adding some coilovers or a firmer/stiffer set of springs/performance shocks.
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Old 03-17-2014, 10:04 PM
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Fix your suspension first then complain after that...if you can!
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Old 03-18-2014, 06:36 AM
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Do the trailing arm bushings in the back and do the lateral link as well .. HUGE difference
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Old 03-18-2014, 06:39 AM
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Those help with body roll and bouncing?
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Old 03-18-2014, 02:48 PM
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my mom had a 07 328i. and my **** was on par with it.
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Old 03-18-2014, 02:53 PM
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Yeah, guys, have you forgotten that ya'll're driving a 4DSC?
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Old 03-31-2014, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
Yup - lower more aggressive sport springs need a good set of shocks to control them. Couple that with aging chassis components and your ride sucks.

I run 5 speed springs up front on my auto, coupled with Illuminas. I just rebuilt the entire front end in December, everything was replaced. The car corners flatter then I ever remember with amazing ride control and stability. Litterly feels like a new car on the road.
what kind of springs you running 5 speed springs? nvr heard of them. So yeh after much thought my car being a squishy ride i'll be upgrading to Tokico Illuminas and see how that does. I was gonna to Kyb Agx but looks like its too harsh. I'll post back whenever I get it installed to talk about how it feels after. Should I also get a RSTB? I dont think im gonna get a RSB after much reading. The steering wheel also feels so light anyway to tighten that up?
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Old 03-31-2014, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Climaxx
my mom had a 07 328i. and my **** was on par with it.
Really? Are you exaggerating cause Bmw handling is out ther. What did you do to achieve that?
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