My OE replacement struts are shot ... well, the shock absorber is shot. My B&G springs are fine.

My fault. I installed the B&Gs on the improper shock and got about 2 years out them.

However, I've got a BNIB set of Tokico Illuminas to take their place.

Here's my request of you guys.

I'm going to need all of the bits and pieces in order to get the shocks and springs mated and to install the strut assembly in the car.

I've got the parts list (omitting the springs):



Is it the consensus that OE Nissan parts are the way to go or are there better quality, more durable parts available.

I'm thinking OE.

You're thoughts?

The only item I have an opinion on is # 11, the dust boot and bumper. Go OEM. Everytime I get the ones that are from the strut maker, they usually don't fit right and always self destruct fairly quick.

If the strut is bad, why are you going through the trouble of replacing the entire mount assembly, etc.?


Honestly you can do without the spring sleeves and isolators (#18).

Everything other than the OE replacement struts and the springs is still original parts.

Things have been a little clunky and creaky for a while.

The struts having gone bad isn't the sole reason for the complete redo ... it is, however, the opportunity.

Well less than 2 years ago, I redid my front strut assemblies. I used the Moog Problem Solver complete assemblies. All new. I made my own top gaskets from gray paper from the auto parts store. About $100 each delivered.

Great at first, but got noisy and recently unbearable. I had no idea what was causing the noise. I took it to my mechanic and sure enough, both parts of the strut mounts and bearings were totaled on the right and the left wasn't far behind.

$400 later and my $200 strut assemblies are what they should have been. Who would ever think Moog would be right there with the other sub standard junk?

If you can afford Tokico Illuimnas, you can afford OEM.

Unfortunately, the aftermarket hardware is usually inferior to the OEM (which I believe is also made by Tokico), but Tokico doesn't seem to sell their own hardware to the aftermarket (eg, you can't get Tokico-branded strut mounts).

I'd take the aftermarket hardware that comes with the premium aftermarket quick struts because they have a lifetime warranty that covers every component, so if it ever failed it's easy to take back to the store and get a brand new quick strut.

Moog's quick struts are Chinese.

The only quick struts I'd use are Monroe and Gabriel. (unfortunately, KYB doesn't make a complete assembly for the 4th gen Maxima at this time)