Best aftermarket struts front and rear
#1
Best aftermarket struts front and rear
It has been 10 years since I last replaced all four of my strut assemblies. I used Nissan OEM back then made for the 1995 SE. I did not want my Maxima to float high and they looked good and worked great for 10 years. I was looking at Monroes, would anyone on the forum have better recommendations?
#2
NOT Monroe would be my first suggestion!
IMO, there are no easy complete assembly options worth considering.
Rebuilding OEM assemblies, reusing the few parts that are still good (Springs usually and maybe a few other hard parts with no rubber to degrade) based on taking them apart and inspecting and replacing the struts and "consumable" parts with OEM only. Struts don't necessarily need to be OEM, but use something decent.
There's a discipline to getting these right for years of a quiet and comfortable ride. IME, quick fixes don't go the distance, especially on the quiet side.
You'll need to rent a spring compressor and torque wrench if you don't have them, along with the rest of the wrenches and sockets required.
IMO, there are no easy complete assembly options worth considering.
Rebuilding OEM assemblies, reusing the few parts that are still good (Springs usually and maybe a few other hard parts with no rubber to degrade) based on taking them apart and inspecting and replacing the struts and "consumable" parts with OEM only. Struts don't necessarily need to be OEM, but use something decent.
There's a discipline to getting these right for years of a quiet and comfortable ride. IME, quick fixes don't go the distance, especially on the quiet side.
You'll need to rent a spring compressor and torque wrench if you don't have them, along with the rest of the wrenches and sockets required.
#3
Monroe's quick struts are a good choice. They are complete assemblies that come with all the required components. You get a new strut, spring, strut mount, and all the rubber things. You do not need a spring compressor.
Gabriel also makes quick struts for these cars.
But DO NOT get the cheap Chinese struts! They are horrible.
Gabriel also makes quick struts for these cars.
But DO NOT get the cheap Chinese struts! They are horrible.
#6
It has been 10 years since I last replaced all four of my strut assemblies. I used Nissan OEM back then made for the 1995 SE. I did not want my Maxima to float high and they looked good and worked great for 10 years. I was looking at Monroes, would anyone on the forum have better recommendations?
I have never replaced my struts on my 99 GLE. I am considering it seriously now. It is a hard ride and always has been. but now I have different rims and tires that need a little more room as they bottom out over rough roads. Is there a difference between the SLE and GLE struts? Any suggestions thanks
Last edited by Hutch; 05-14-2017 at 07:48 PM.
#7
I have never replaced my struts on my 99 GLE. I am considering it seriously now. It is a hard ride and always has been. but now I have different rims and tires that need a little more room as they bottom out over rough roads. Is there a difference between the SLE and GLE struts? Any suggestions thanks
The difference between SE and GLE is much, much less than the difference between old worn struts and brand new ones. Quick struts make it much easier and they include everything you need
#10
I have to recommend Monroe quick struts, but not the economatic! Make sure to get the ones based off of the OEM Spectrum line. I've used a set of 4 on two Maximas and an I30 and they perform well. Ride is a little softer than OEM, but they provide good comfort without noise of chinese crap.
#11
I finally replaced my front struts with KYB assembly. Rode high for a couple of weeks and now it settled down. Rides close to my OEM for my SE, need to replace the rears in about 6 months.
Trying to keep the rubber bellows on the struts from breaking in the future. If I spray with silicone, would that work?
Trying to keep the rubber bellows on the struts from breaking in the future. If I spray with silicone, would that work?
#12
I finally replaced my front struts with KYB assembly. Rode high for a couple of weeks and now it settled down. Rides close to my OEM for my SE, need to replace the rears in about 6 months.
Trying to keep the rubber bellows on the struts from breaking in the future. If I spray with silicone, would that work?
Trying to keep the rubber bellows on the struts from breaking in the future. If I spray with silicone, would that work?
#13
Tokico blue are the best and they are the oem struts for our 4th gen maxima's. Nissan used Tokico struts on the 4th gen maxima. I got one original oem nissan front strut that was 323.00 from nissan for $69.00 on ebay which is made by tokico. Then i bought a tokico blue strut for $49.00 which is the exact same as my oem nissan strut and bought two rear tokico blue struts for $163.00. All made in japan and oem nissan manufacture. Heres the link below to the listings. I installed the struts last month in May and the car rides like new again and it has the exact oem ride for an SE model. If your buying struts buy only Tokico as I even read reviews online that there much stiffer and stronger and has more stable ride than others. Also cause there the oem manufactures for Nissan.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-Nis...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokico-HP-b...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokico-HB31...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-Nis...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokico-HP-b...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokico-HB31...72.m2749.l2649
Last edited by Maxima 97 SE; 07-01-2018 at 08:22 PM.
#14
Koni Orange STR.T if you are looking for a performance oriented strut that also supports lowering springs. I'm running Orange on both 4th gens.
Note: It's all of the other strut related parts that drive up the cost of a replacement job and make the difference in the end.
Note: It's all of the other strut related parts that drive up the cost of a replacement job and make the difference in the end.
Last edited by CS_AR; 07-01-2018 at 11:46 PM.
#15
I purchased FCS strut/spring assemblies on Rockauto for my 1996. I wanted to go as cheap as possible since my car is in very sad shape. I have had no issues in roughly 10,000 miles. I can't complain for the price.
#16
I finally replaced my front struts with KYB assembly. Rode high for a couple of weeks and now it settled down. Rides close to my OEM for my SE, need to replace the rears in about 6 months.
Trying to keep the rubber bellows on the struts from breaking in the future. If I spray with silicone, would that work?
Trying to keep the rubber bellows on the struts from breaking in the future. If I spray with silicone, would that work?
#20
I needed all new suspension parts for my 99 Maxima when I bought it. Along with front end tie rods, control arms, sway bar links, etc....I bought a set of the cheapo FCS off RockAuto for the rear struts and went with the Monroe QuickStruts for the front (figured that would be a little more important.)
The bottom line is, it rides just fine, BUT the handling around corners leaves a bit to be desired (fairly significant body roll.) I had the same problem with a 2001 Honda Accord I bought new, and solved the problem on it with an upper strut tower brace, so I'm wondering if the same thing here would do the trick. Problem is I've looked around a bit and can't really find any made for the 4th gen Maxima. The only one I can find is this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Racin...LH_TitleDesc=0
The bottom line is, it rides just fine, BUT the handling around corners leaves a bit to be desired (fairly significant body roll.) I had the same problem with a 2001 Honda Accord I bought new, and solved the problem on it with an upper strut tower brace, so I'm wondering if the same thing here would do the trick. Problem is I've looked around a bit and can't really find any made for the 4th gen Maxima. The only one I can find is this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Racin...LH_TitleDesc=0
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
user-90
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
14
05-31-2012 05:57 PM