Need to replace the shocks on a '98 Max SE with 100K miles.

This is a "daily driver" and not driven very hard and reasonable price is an issue. But, I'd like to get something comparable to the less bouncy SE ride vs. the GLE ride.

Suggestions?

 

If it is stock you can try Sensen struts. They are cheap and work well if you are not lowered.

 

Are they as stiff as the OEM shocks? I don't want bouncy like a GLE.

 

KYB AGX struts have adjustable stiffness, 4 levels in the front and 8 in the back. Idk if they are the "best" struts out there, but i had them on my last car and i have nothing but good things to say about them.

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?ck[ID]=0&ck[idlist]=0&ck[viewcurrency]=USD&ck[PHP_SESSION_ID]=jc68k4kbk9tim58anlmsuns6b3

In my experience with suspension, you get what you pay for (usually anyways). No need to upgrade but don't go with the cheapest OEM option, sometimes they have defects or harder fitment or go out quicker etc.

Sucks you have to replace the sturts so early in this car's life, my '91 Honda CRX has 300,000 on it and the suspension has hardly been messed with.

 

Yeah, understood on the suspension quality vs. price. But, this isn't the sort of car that needs Koni's either. So... I just need to get back to factory level for this car. But at the same time, I know some aftermarket stuff is too soft.

Are you sure that CRX is still even factory stiff? Most cars these days pass the old fashioned "bounce test" - but if you pull a strut out and more the spring, you find that they are dead or close to it.

 

Stay away from KYB GR2's if you don't want the stiff ride... I have a 99 SE, and when I changed struts I went with these.. stiffer than stock SE struts, which annoyed me at first, but after 40K miles they seem to be ok (or maybe I just got used to them)...

 

Interesting. I was guessing that the GR2's would be about stock in stiffness. Good to know.

 

Stock struts are Tokico. If you are after comfort, I would recommend Tokico HP.

KYB's are not at all comfortable.

 

Did the SE get stiffer shocks, springs, or both? It definitely rides tighter than the GLE.

I know the aftermarket guys don't usually distinguish... but I'm curious as to how that fits into the scheme.

 

I looked at the parts listings and it is kind of confusing. On the coil springs, the auto trans and manual trans cars get different springs. The model of GLE, GXE or SE doesn't make any difference, just the transmission.

On the struts, the GLE and GXE use one strut and the SE uses another. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U73, it is TOKICO. If the strut is stamped 54303-31U64 it is UNISIA JECS. If the strut is stamped 54302-31U75 it is neither of the above. These numbers are not the Nissan part numbers, just a manufacturer ID (I guess) and do have different Nissan part numbers.

Lastly, the SE model gets a thicker (stiffer) sway bar.

 

+1

I installed Sensen shocks and struts on my '96 almost two years and 23,150 miles ago. They are still performing great. They are (still) stiffer then most OEM, judging by the reviews I’ve read. The struts I replaced were at 289K, so I cant really comment on how they compare to new OEM.

My install

Sensen struts $103

 

That's pretty impressive for the price... compared to the others that are $400 options. Might be worth the risk that I don't like them :-)

 

Thanks, Dennis. Tranny variation would make sense due to the weight difference. I guess all the stiffness is in the struts.

 

I'm sure it's not haha, but it has never effected the ride so much that I couldn't have fun on windy backroads. I have considered buying new struts, but it passed the very old fashioned "bounce test" - forcefully bounce the front end of the car with the bumper then let go and if it continues to bounce your struts and/or springs need to be replaced.

I'd personally rather get some BC Racing coilovers for my 350z then invest more money into my CRX if it drives okay.

 

Pretty sure the SE had stiffer rear springs as well.

 

Spend your money as you will... but just so you know, that old bounce test applied on some very different suspensions on 4000# boats we used to drive with several feet hanging off the car in front of and behind the axles. For sure, if your car bounces more than three times, you have an issue, but many cars will pass that test now but when you pull the struts, the cartridge is dead.

EDIT: Note that I'm not suggesting you need to do the CRX struts... just that the test isn't very good.

 

The SE has stiffer springs and the struts are tokico hp. Sensen is cheap enough to try, they rode nice, they just blew out quicker on me because of the lowering. I have a wrx now and its stock struts are gr2. It is harsh coming from anything softer. Would I get a softer strut now? No way.

 

If you have the cash, just get Monroe Quick Struts. Chances are u will need to replace more than just the strut.

Im sitting on Tokico HPs with H&R springs. Good setup. If I had to do it all over again, I may have gotten Tokico Illuminas for the front just for the adjustability. And DEFINITELY Stock strut mounts.

 

Check out http://www.importcarpartsplus.com/maximajtauto.htm or importcarpartsplus@gmail.com

 

From the site "We no longer carry JT Auto Style."

Was JT a brand?

 

Not sure but contact Justin and he can get just about anything suspension related and more!