Questions.. Long Post thx
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 162
Questions.. Long Post thx
I know this post will sound like a newbie post and it is but, I cant find the answers to my questions
I have a 5th gen 2001 Black Gxe on the 16 inch 5 spoke rims.
I'm going to buy 18x7.5 inch rims and from what i understand i should get tires that are 235/40/18. Then im going to order springs. I want springs that have more of a drop in front and less in back. So i think im leaning towards MaxSpeed or H&R or Progress (wats the drop on the progresses again?) Im thinknig about getting the rims putting it on and then throwing the springs on. But i know i also needs Shocks/Struts? i read about the diff brands.. Tokico blues.. kybs.. and the konis.. My questions are as follows:
1. After i put on those wheels will my wheel gap be higher?
2. I dont know what a shock and strut is. I know this is pathetic but im just starting to get into cars and i really have no clue and the search function just isnt helping because i dont even know the basics on my car. So whats a shock and strut? are they the same?
3. Or can i just get the rims and put on some springs and drive that? and if so how long will the shocks/struts usually last? (currently have 10k miles)
im 18 and in college and low on funds so im basically trying to save enuff to get wat i REAlly need thats it. if u can think of anything else to tell me about thanks.. once again sorry for the newbie questions. i dont know much about cars
I have a 5th gen 2001 Black Gxe on the 16 inch 5 spoke rims.
I'm going to buy 18x7.5 inch rims and from what i understand i should get tires that are 235/40/18. Then im going to order springs. I want springs that have more of a drop in front and less in back. So i think im leaning towards MaxSpeed or H&R or Progress (wats the drop on the progresses again?) Im thinknig about getting the rims putting it on and then throwing the springs on. But i know i also needs Shocks/Struts? i read about the diff brands.. Tokico blues.. kybs.. and the konis.. My questions are as follows:
1. After i put on those wheels will my wheel gap be higher?
2. I dont know what a shock and strut is. I know this is pathetic but im just starting to get into cars and i really have no clue and the search function just isnt helping because i dont even know the basics on my car. So whats a shock and strut? are they the same?
3. Or can i just get the rims and put on some springs and drive that? and if so how long will the shocks/struts usually last? (currently have 10k miles)
im 18 and in college and low on funds so im basically trying to save enuff to get wat i REAlly need thats it. if u can think of anything else to tell me about thanks.. once again sorry for the newbie questions. i dont know much about cars
1. when you add larger rims the tire profile will decrease if you try to keep the tire size the same. i dont know what the stock tire size is but you should try best to stay close to that.
2. your homework for this weekend is to get your car in the air and take off your wheel and take a closer look at your car's supension. the spring and strut work together as the main suspension of the car. the spring has upward force while the strut has downward force, thus keep a good balance. springs keep your car off the ground and your struts keep your car lower. the shock is something different, its more of a shock absorber then anything having to do with the suspension.
3. you can replace springs on a car and give it a lower ride height. your car will also handle better but may have a bad ride quality depending on the spring. changing the springs will also in effect cause more strain on your stock struts but should not cause any major problems. most people do this because they are in the same situation you are in, not enough money for struts and springs, so they do springs first then struts.
if you have more questions about the basic understanding on the operation of parts check out www.howstuffworks.com
EDIT:
tires size in metric are:
tire width/tire profile/rim height
the tire width and profile are in mm i believe
so when you go to a a larger rim the first number should stay the same or be off by 5mm, the second number should decrease as the rim size increases.
2. your homework for this weekend is to get your car in the air and take off your wheel and take a closer look at your car's supension. the spring and strut work together as the main suspension of the car. the spring has upward force while the strut has downward force, thus keep a good balance. springs keep your car off the ground and your struts keep your car lower. the shock is something different, its more of a shock absorber then anything having to do with the suspension.
3. you can replace springs on a car and give it a lower ride height. your car will also handle better but may have a bad ride quality depending on the spring. changing the springs will also in effect cause more strain on your stock struts but should not cause any major problems. most people do this because they are in the same situation you are in, not enough money for struts and springs, so they do springs first then struts.
if you have more questions about the basic understanding on the operation of parts check out www.howstuffworks.com
EDIT:
tires size in metric are:
tire width/tire profile/rim height
the tire width and profile are in mm i believe
so when you go to a a larger rim the first number should stay the same or be off by 5mm, the second number should decrease as the rim size increases.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 284
Originally posted by silverkorn
1. when you add larger rims the tire profile will decrease if you try to keep the tire size the same. i dont know what the stock tire size is but you should try best to stay close to that.
2. your homework for this weekend is to get your car in the air and take off your wheel and take a closer look at your car's supension. the spring and strut work together as the main suspension of the car. the spring has upward force while the strut has downward force, thus keep a good balance. springs keep your car off the ground and your struts keep your car lower. the shock is something different, its more of a shock absorber then anything having to do with the suspension.
3. you can replace springs on a car and give it a lower ride height. your car will also handle better but may have a bad ride quality depending on the spring. changing the springs will also in effect cause more strain on your stock struts but should not cause any major problems. most people do this because they are in the same situation you are in, not enough money for struts and springs, so they do springs first then struts.
if you have more questions about the basic understanding on the operation of parts check out www.howstuffworks.com
EDIT:
tires size in metric are:
tire width/tire profile/rim height
the tire width and profile are in mm i believe
so when you go to a a larger rim the first number should stay the same or be off by 5mm, the second number should decrease as the rim size increases.
1. when you add larger rims the tire profile will decrease if you try to keep the tire size the same. i dont know what the stock tire size is but you should try best to stay close to that.
2. your homework for this weekend is to get your car in the air and take off your wheel and take a closer look at your car's supension. the spring and strut work together as the main suspension of the car. the spring has upward force while the strut has downward force, thus keep a good balance. springs keep your car off the ground and your struts keep your car lower. the shock is something different, its more of a shock absorber then anything having to do with the suspension.
3. you can replace springs on a car and give it a lower ride height. your car will also handle better but may have a bad ride quality depending on the spring. changing the springs will also in effect cause more strain on your stock struts but should not cause any major problems. most people do this because they are in the same situation you are in, not enough money for struts and springs, so they do springs first then struts.
if you have more questions about the basic understanding on the operation of parts check out www.howstuffworks.com
EDIT:
tires size in metric are:
tire width/tire profile/rim height
the tire width and profile are in mm i believe
so when you go to a a larger rim the first number should stay the same or be off by 5mm, the second number should decrease as the rim size increases.
the struts on maximas (or any macphearson strut) are shock absorbers, only they are designed to serve additional purposes due to the limited spaces they were designed to fit in. Most MacPhearson struts also act as the steering axis for the front wheels... They are sort of the OEM of coilovers... the springs on struts do not come in a unit assembly like that of coilovers...
All in all, struts and shocks were designed to dampen the springs movements, not keep the car "lower". Therefore shocks are critical and have everything to do with the suspension. Why do you think they have electronically adjustable shocks in cars way more expensive than our max's....
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