I have reviewed the Maxima.org threads that mention camber adjustments on lowered cars and they sometimes mentioned eccentric bolts. I am starting to wrap up some of the suspension changes for my 1998 GXE and wanted advice since there seems to be a lot of opinions on this topic.

I am budget-minded and I am not looking for radical looks but rather good performance on the street and maybe some autocross just for fun (i.e. don't expect to win anything). I am installing Koni STR.T struts and Vogtland lowering springs. All indications are that the car will be lower only by about 1 1/2 inches max which is about right for my tastes and how I intend to use the car (mostly a daily driver). I am also putting Energy Suspension bushings up front and new Moog parts everywhere else. The rear suspension is also getting all new bushings. I have purchased Eibach eccentric bolts but I think I can return them if I need to. I will be using BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires on 16 inch Nissan SE wheels and want to get good mileage from the tires. I don't want any radical camber or other settings in the interest of performance since I want the tires to last. The alignment guy I've spoken to runs his own shop, has worked on cars for around thirty years and claims to have done many lowered cars so he's confident he can do this one.

Some of the earlier threads seem to lean toward not even needing eccentric bolts or other modifications if I'm only going 1 1/2 inch lower. Others talk about enlarging the upper holes in the front struts to accommodate adjustment using eccentric bolts. No one is saying how much they are lowering their cars however so those changes may only be needed when really moving the car down. Most everyone seems to agree that the rear suspension won't need any special treatment.

Given my facts, do you guys have any advice?

 

I installed eccentrics in mine and did not need to enlarge the holes. Not lowered just race off road.

 

That's good to know.

 

I wanted to report that even though I didn't lower the car that much, the eccentric bolts were needed to get the alignment right. Thanks again to all the Maxima.org guys for the help.