Nugent20

So I lowered the pristine 98' with 51k I bought last year on cheap megan springs, and am now ready to replace struts and rebuild most of the front end. Daily use. I've read plenty of threads including the suspension master thread https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...n-updated.html, but most are dated and I've been torn in a couple directions but thinking tokico blues (can't afford iluminas or AGX's for the daily) and want to make sure that is a good setup for a modest drop (1.5") and also hoping for some help with links to urethane bushings (all I can find is Energy on eBay)

Here is list of what I am thinking - please feel free to comment where necessary with links, recommendations or additions to what I should get- and thanks in advance for the help


Front:

Struts - Tokico Blues?
Are GR2's any good lowered? http://www.ebay.com/itm/170648678462?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Bump Stops/bellow? (i've read something about not using OEM and getting mustang/miata combo?)

Strut mounts (with bearing) OEM replacement/moog?
http://www.fme-cat.com/overlays/part...ITI%20I30&vin=

New teflon spacers (OEM)

LCA/ball joint - I've seen they come with bushing, but wondering if I should get without and use urethane? Thinking of Moog
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321790913129?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
LCA bushings - http://www.ebay.com/itm/121635469275?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Sway end links (OEM/Moog?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moog-K9824-Sway-Bar-Link-Or-Kit-/271881626155?fits=Year%3A1998%7CModel%3AMaxima&hash=item3f4d68622b&vxp=mtr
Sway end link bushings - (Energy suspension/eBay?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331516432335?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Inner+Outer tie rods (Moog/OEM replacement?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steering-Tie-Rod-End-Front-Outer-MOOG-ES3438-/191394510252?fits=Year%3A1998%7CModel%3AMaxima&hash=item2c900075ac&vxp=mtr

Rear:

Struts - Tokico Blues?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UC396-TOKICO-HP-Blue-Rear-Pair-1995-3-1999-Maxima-CLEARANCE-/261925838569?fits=Year%3A1998%7CModel%3AMaxima&hash=item3cfbff1ee9&vxp=mtr
Bump stops/bellows? (i've read something about not using OEM and getting mustang/miata combo?)

Strut mounts (with bearing) OEM?

New teflon spacers

Lastly, Subframe bushings - worth doing? The car was up north and solid, but plenty of surface rust underneath... http://www.ebay.com/itm/221622354959?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT and http://www.ebay.com/itm/191498048748?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Nugent20

sorry, just noticed the embedded ebay links - looked fine on preview - hard to read with the pics - same without links below:

So I lowered the pristine 98' with 51k I bought last year on cheap megan springs, and am now ready to replace struts and rebuild most of the front end. Daily use. I've read plenty of threads including the suspension master thread https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...n-updated.html, but most are dated and I've been torn in a couple directions but thinking tokico blues (can't afford iluminas or AGX's for the daily) and want to make sure that is a good setup for a modest drop (1.5") and also hoping for some help with links to urethane bushings (all I can find is Energy on eBay)

Here is list of what I am thinking - please feel free to comment where necessary with links, recommendations or additions to what I should get- and thanks in advance for the help


Front:

Struts - Tokico Blues?

Are GR2's any good lowered?

Bump Stops/bellow? (i've read something about not using OEM and getting mustang/miata combo?)

Strut mounts (with bearing) OEM replacement/moog?

New teflon spacers (OEM)

LCA/ball joint - I've seen they come with bushing, but wondering if I should get without and use urethane? Thinking of Moog

LCA bushings -

Sway end links (OEM/Moog?)

Sway end link bushings - (Energy suspension/eBay?)

Inner+Outer tie rods (Moog/OEM replacement?)

Rear:

Struts - Tokico Blues?

Bump stops/bellows? (i've read something about not using OEM and getting mustang/miata combo?)

Strut mounts (with bearing) OEM?

New teflon spacers


Lastly, Subframe bushings - worth doing? The car was up north and solid, but plenty of surface rust underneath...

Bonka

iTrader: (13)

Did you do before and after measurements with the old and new springs? Advertised drops vary once installed on the car and will have a huge impact on ride quality with any paired strut.

Assuming the drop is 1.5", both the Blues and GR2s are intended as OE replacements so both will be minimal in difference. I do tend to see more lowering springs being paired with GR2s than Blues but that could just be coincidental. Perhaps in your case it might just come down to price.

I would avoid using aftermarket dustboots and stick to OE. Aftermarket dustboots are molded plastic that aren't pliable and won't stand up to wear and tear. I've got KYBs are they look pretty ratty and have ruined my bumpstops, though our climate is temperate with lots of moisture. Rancho dustboots are another option though I am not familiar with them but they have been used by many members on here.

Moog/Monroe mounts are preferable outside of OE. I would recommend going with OE strut bearings though the Moog ones I'm using that came with the mounts have been fine so far at ~55k miles.

Buy gasket sheet or paper and make your own using the old ones as templates for the bolt holes.

I recently overhauled my DD's front end and went with Moog LCA/balljoints and tie-rods and kept the rubber bushings and used some cheap endlinks from eBay. I will be replacing the swaybar bushings with ES ones mostly because of the amount of deformation I'm seeing on the rubber ones and will probably replace the endlink bushings to ES for the same reason. Suspension.com seems to be the cheapest for ES bushings.

Nugent20

Thanks Bonka, quality advice. Unfortunately, excitement got the best of me and started the install without measuring first.

Did you need air for any of the LCA's/subframe bolts?

And from what I'm gathering:
Blues or GR2's
OE boots/bump stops
Moog mount/OE bearing
gasket sheet
Moog LCA/ball/tie rods/sway ends
all Energy bushings I can find

Do you know if the bushings on the moog LCA are easy to swap out before installing if I choose to use urethane ones?

Thanks again

Bonka

iTrader: (13)

I had to get a shop to do it so that might give you insight on how I faired

Double check on the OE dustboots I remember that Nissan changed them into a 1 piece dustboot/bumpstop so it'll be hell trying to trim the bumpstop down. If that's the case, maybe go with Rancho boots and whatever bumpstops you use. Again, if I were to do it again I'd go with some universal ES bumpstops for longevity.

You'll need to torch out the rubber bushing and grind down the metal sleeve before pressing the new bushing in. Really requires patience.

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

My opinion after owning both - don't get Blues or GR2s. Koni STR.T if you want quality non-adjustable struts - I have not used them myself but I have heard nothing but rave reviews from close friends who have had them on other cars. You can get them for like $360 on tirerack.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

KONI's are on the firm side, but compliant. For a daily driver I'd go with Tokico Illumina up front and GR-2's in the rear. I had that set up for years. Set the Tokico's on 2 up front and it rides like stock over descent roadways. The mono tube GR-2's in the rear will give you more control of the russell link rear beam. That combo rides and handles amazing on stock springs and gives you a really descent ride lowered as well.