beavo040

Looking for some clarification on the significance of the 3/99 production date. While shopping around for replacement control arms for my '99se, I'm sometimes faced with the question of the build date of my vehicle and if it was pre 3/99 or not. I can go to one place and inquired about control arms and they ask about the build date, where as I can go to another store and no mention of build dates. So, is this date really relevant? Also, it just so happens that my production date is 3/99.....so I would imagine this puts me in the post 3/99 category.

I've contacted several sellers from online who have parts only listed for the pre 3/99 build date, and asked them if they had the equivalent part for cars built after 3/99, all of which have answered no. And I haven't been able to locate any parts that are specifically for the 3/99 post build date. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

I believe the significance of the pre 3/99 and the post 3/99 designation is the fact that sometime during or after MAR of 1999, many parts in the end-of-run 4th Gens were actually 5th Gen parts.

I'm not certain as to what extent but I can tell you that many '99 4th Gens (including mine) came from the factory equipped with 5th Gen parts.

As a relatively insignificant example, read posts #9 and #10 in this thread:

https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...endations.html

beavo040

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I guess the best thing for me to do at this point, would be to pull the current control arms and locate a part number I can reference. Does anyone happen to know if there is even a difference between 4th & 5th gen control arms? Considering how many parts I've bought for this thing over the past few years, I can't believe I haven't ran into this issue prior to now.

CS_AR

Which control arms are you looking to replace?

beavo040

Initially, my intentions were to replace the front lower control arm bushings and ball joints. But now I think I'm also going to do the tie rods and sway bar links as well. When it comes to the front lower control arm bushing, I see they sell the lower control arm with ball joints and bushings as a single unit ready to be bolted on. And for the price difference compared to the amount of time it would save, I thought this might be my best option.

CS_AR

A number of members have replaced lower control arms (LCAs) and other front suspension components using the MOOG Problem Solver line of parts. The problem solver line components are usually prefixed with a CK part number. Problem Solver components come with grease fittings, cost more and have a longer warranty from MOOG.

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

Your control arm search is another example of the Gen4/Gen5 parts interchange.

This link takes you to a parts seller providing a LCA kit.

This linked part # (93-80061 K1) is the kit for a 2000 Maxima.

Do the same search for a LCA kit for a Maxima "to production date 03/99" you get a different kit with a different P/N.

Do the same search for a LCA kit for a Maxima "from production date 04/99" you get P/N 93-80061 K1.

http://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/2...it/93-80061_K1

LCAs for 1999 Maximas produced after 3/99 = 2000 Maxima LCAs.

KP11520

IIRC.....There's a sticker in the driver's side front door jam with the build date on it.

I'm not sure which side of the line is better, but you'll have definitive confirmation where you're at.

Hope this helps!

beavo040

Thanks for the link and info. I just called and spoke to a guy at buyautoparts.com and he seemed fairly familiar with the production date info. He told me that my production date of 3/99 would still be the 4th gen parts.

I would prefer ordering everything as a kit, rather than ordering individual parts. The only other place I can find the LCA kit besides buyautoparts.com, is Detroit Axle. Just wondering if anyone has had any problems with quality of parts from either of these two.

Thanks again for all of the help and great information!

nissan99

I got a 99 se too and the difference is on lower control arm on the back of the arm before that date 3/99 is a sold rubber end , after that date you will see steel collar on end of rubber bushing were you can mount to the frame with two bolts .. just went ther this this week for a lower control arm replacement so check your date !!

RDDLLC

I purchased an abandoned 2000 GLE A/T w/ 135k miles for $100. A customer gave up on it and left it behind the shop I managed. I purchased both lower LCAs w/ BJs, inner & outter tie rod ends, end links, front quick strut assemblies, and a ton of other parts. Unlimited free labor so why not? I purchased everything from AM Auto Parts. He sells on Ebay and has an online store. With a 10 year warranty I wasn't super concerned about quality issues. That was last July and everything has been working perfectly. Just to be sure we installed one of his outter tie rods on the left and a Moog outter on the right. I've replaced the Moog twice because the threads have stripped over time. The LCAs were $60 shipped for both, front end kit was $35, quick struts were $100 for the pair. I live in Oklahoma and he ships from Gardner Kansas, UPS ground at no charge, so its like free next day shipping. Take a look at what he offers. Cheaper than Detroit Axle, quality seems top notch.

CS_AR

Just checked both of my 99 models and both were manufactured in (11/98). So that explains why the 98 model (12/97) uses the same suspension components.

I wish I could help. It looks like we have some 4.5 gens or 99.5 models to consider.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The 99 models do have a bunch of differences. The electrical wiring, relays and stuff are different from the previous years, similar to the 5th gen but not the same. I guess you could say it was a transition design.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

I decided to look up the part numbers for the lca on nissanpartsdeal.com. The site includes production dates when that is an issue. Here is what I found.

The right side:
part # 54500-41U00 for production dates 07/1996 to 06/1998
part # 54500-41U01 for production dates 06/1998 and on.
However both part numbers have been replaced by 54500-41U02

The left side is a similar story:
part # 54501-41U00 for production dates 07/1996 to 06/1998
part # 54501-41U01 for production dates 06/1998 and on.
Both part numbers have been replaced by 54501-41U02

However, none of the above part numbers are used on the 5th gen.

I find it interesting that my lookup did not use the 3/99 date and that a revised part is available that fits all 4th gen models. Another website, parts.com, only shows the newer part number. BTW, parts.com is the least expensive place that I have found.