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2002 SE suspension is slightly bouncy...

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Old 09-05-2002 | 09:30 AM
  #1  
DaveT's Avatar
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2002 SE suspension is slightly bouncy...

I have read other threads here and on usenet about people complaining that the ride quality of 2002 max's is different than 2000-2001. Specifically, the suspension seems "jiggly" or "bouncy" over small road imperfections. I know what a tight suspenion feels like, you do feel the road so to speak, but I do sense that my car jiggles slightly when going over small bumps or dips, especially a series of them.

Others have pointed out that earlier SE's had different struts and springs from GXE/GLE. But for the 2002 model, the SE has different front springs, but the same struts as the GXE/GLE. I'm thinking that the stiffer springs may be too strong for the struts, just enough to allow a little bounciness into the suspension. I have felt this in other cars I have driven when the struts were wearing out; the springs weren't being dampened by the struts enough. Maybe Nissan made a bad choice by using the same struts across trim lines?

Has anyone tried putting 2001 strut/spring combo on a 2002)?

Did anyone who has put aftermarket struts/springs on their 2002 max notice this same bounciness before? If so, did the new struts/springs fix it?
Old 09-05-2002 | 10:16 AM
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Dany's Avatar
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Re: 2002 SE suspension is slightly bouncy...

Originally posted by DaveT
I have read other threads here and on usenet about people complaining that the ride quality of 2002 max's is different than 2000-2001. Specifically, the suspension seems "jiggly" or "bouncy" over small road imperfections. I know what a tight suspenion feels like, you do feel the road so to speak, but I do sense that my car jiggles slightly when going over small bumps or dips, especially a series of them.

Others have pointed out that earlier SE's had different struts and springs from GXE/GLE. But for the 2002 model, the SE has different front springs, but the same struts as the GXE/GLE. I'm thinking that the stiffer springs may be too strong for the struts, just enough to allow a little bounciness into the suspension. I have felt this in other cars I have driven when the struts were wearing out; the springs weren't being dampened by the struts enough. Maybe Nissan made a bad choice by using the same struts across trim lines?

Has anyone tried putting 2001 strut/spring combo on a 2002)?

Did anyone who has put aftermarket struts/springs on their 2002 max notice this same bounciness before? If so, did the new struts/springs fix it?
I noticed the same thing when I picked my 2002 SE compared to my 2000 SE. 2000 SE felt more solid, suspension wise. I think 2002 has new struts and shocks, compared to 2000.
Old 09-05-2002 | 11:25 AM
  #3  
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i have a 2k2 se and when i go slow over small road imperfections, it feels like a boat, or as if i have a flat tire almost. its embarrasing and my friends notice it too.
Old 09-07-2002 | 06:05 PM
  #4  
nick778's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 212
I posted something on this a week ago. I have a 2k3 SE and noticed the same bounce and float. I replaced the front struts with only 950 miles on the car and the suspension is much better with the increased rebound control and very little sacrifice in ride quality.
The aftermaket struts were Tokico Blues. BTW, the front springs on the front of the 2k2/2k3 max are all the same(except auto vs manual where there is a difference on the 2k2 to account for the lighter weight of the 6 speed). It is the rear springs that are different/stiffer on the 2k2/2k3 SE.
Old 09-07-2002 | 06:18 PM
  #5  
Deven2kStickMax's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 620
From: Twin Cities, MN USA
Re: 2002 SE suspension is slightly bouncy...

Originally posted by DaveT
I have read other threads here and on usenet about people complaining that the ride quality of 2002 max's is different than 2000-2001. Specifically, the suspension seems "jiggly" or "bouncy" over small road imperfections. I know what a tight suspenion feels like, you do feel the road so to speak, but I do sense that my car jiggles slightly when going over small bumps or dips, especially a series of them.

Others have pointed out that earlier SE's had different struts and springs from GXE/GLE. But for the 2002 model, the SE has different front springs, but the same struts as the GXE/GLE. I'm thinking that the stiffer springs may be too strong for the struts, just enough to allow a little bounciness into the suspension. I have felt this in other cars I have driven when the struts were wearing out; the springs weren't being dampened by the struts enough. Maybe Nissan made a bad choice by using the same struts across trim lines?

Has anyone tried putting 2001 strut/spring combo on a 2002)?

Did anyone who has put aftermarket struts/springs on their 2002 max notice this same bounciness before? If so, did the new struts/springs fix it?
I like to sneak in here. if anyone interested in putting on 2000-2001 OEM suspension on their 2002-2003's ?? i have one complete set and they are all SE's .....holla to me...sorry for sneaking in....
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