So I picked up a maxima for free but it needs some parts replaced. Does anyone here know the preferred brand and type of spark plugs the 3.0 likes? Gap? Also I need new axles, whats a good brand? The plenum seems to be the source of the huge vacuum leak and I was going to go with a victor reniz gasket set, same company for the valve covers. Also where the heck can you buy upper control arms for this thing? I can only seem to find lowers online.....

 

it doesn't have an upper control arm that's why

 

Wait what? How the heck is the wheel controlled then? Is it a strut or something?

 

I would recommend taking a good look at your car, maybe even have a friend or family member who knows a bit about them come out and look it over with you. They can tell you all about what is where and answer your questions. I would start with that before doing anything.

 

did someone tell you the car needed a "Upper Control Arm" as far as I know the suspension is consist of lower control arm, lower balljoint, inner, and outter tie rod, swaybar link

 

Well that's my bad then, I normally deal with trucks and SUVs. I forgot some cars don't use two arms, reason for this seemingly stupid question is because I am in Ohio and the car is in Florida. I'm trying to figure out what parts I need to bring with me to get this thing ready to come home with me. Old owner had his dealership make a list of everything they thought needed fixed (just said control arms so I assumed all 4, even though now that I looked online this thing uses struts) so I am currently going off that. FYI I am a mechanic lol!

 

Struts aren't gonna stop the car from driving if you want to be on the safe side then get this thing here, start from the control arm, and work your way to the outter tie rod end last, best way to go about it

 

Yeah I ordered everything there plus a valve and plenum gasket set, also a pair of axles and new window motors. I was just confused because I normally see a separate shock and upper control arm instead of just a strut assembly. Btw do you happen to know what spark plugs this engine likes?

 

Ngk

 

Platinum?

 

Original is fine, but if you have the money then go for it, platinum just gives you a longer drive before you have to change them

 

Coppers perform best, plats perform longer.

Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

 

Thanks

 

Is there anything other than the usual full fluid flushes, oil, plugs, filters that I should probably do to this car?

 

This car might need all kinds of flushes, but how many miles you have on this car. The carfax and maintence records do you have any on this car.

 

I would check on tranny fluid and brake fluid and power steering fluids, coolant and engine oil. I would check belts hoses and all the other things you have stated with the org members and whatever they have stated too.

 

82k miles, owned by family members so I know its well taken care of.

 

Yeah, Family member don't destroy cars....They just drive them down into the ground! Buy a Haynes repair manual...so you can learn as you own, how to maintain a car....rockauto.com or partsgeek.com is an awesome parts source for these cars....

 

My family is OCD about keeping their cars in good shape, at least appearance wise. I use rock auto for most of my parts, I also have all-data so I don't normally buy paper manuals. Thanks for the pointers though man!