Heres the deal:

I have two Nissan dealerships that are in reasonable, driveable range. I'm fixing to put some Teins and GR2's on my max. The closest dealership says it will be around $450 fukin dollars!! That can't be right can it? The other one said no lower than $300, but they would have to take a look at it first. Now there is no way in the world I would pay them that much to do that. So the search went on, called some local shops(only a few around that you can actually trust to do decent work) and they said it would be $250+. Still, I think that sounds more reasonable, but I really can't afford to give away $250.

So really, the question is, do you guys think I could do it myself? I'm pretty decent with cars, and I have two friends that could help me that know a little.

What tools would I be looking at? I told the dealership that I'd do it myself. They sorta got a little attitude and blew me off, saying good luck, you have to have a spring compressor(I think they said).

If by any chance I could get a spring compressor, do I have any chance in hell installing these myself? I was thinking its possible, just might take me 10 hours, hehe. Any info or help or whatever would help if any of you guys have defeated this task.

Sorry for it being so long, and thanks in advance

 

Maybe you can go to this website, http://members.lycos.co.uk/LucyLu112/, and check out the front and rear suspension portion of the service manual. It has info on how to assemble/disassemble the front suspension and what equipment to use.

If you were/are in the military, the auto hobby shop at your local military installation should have all of the DIY equipment that you need. I don't know if there is such a shop for the general public.

 

You do not need to be a rocket scientest to install a suspension on a maxima. A lot of places rent spring compressors (auto zone for example) or you can just buy the compressor's. Spring compressors are quite basic and are only about $50.

 

Do it yourself...i did mine and it took all of about 2.5 hours including the 30 minute break we took between the front and the back. The front is easy, should take you no time at all. The back on the other hand can be tricky to get to all the damn screws. I had to take off all those little black covers and stuff to get to them...(theres only 2 bolts to worry about on the rear shocks)...anyway...rent a spring compressor for about $40 and do it yourself...save all that money for say...a y-pipe or something

 

You can do it yourself. The fronts are easy to do. You'll need some WD-40 to loosen the grip on the front bolts where they meet the axle. For the rears, you have to remove the back seat to get to the struts. This can be "complicated", but it's not really. There are just alot of bolts to do so. I can give you a guide if you need to, as I just did mine a few weeks ago.

Supplies/Tools you will need:

Socket set with socket wrench (10mm, 12mm, 17mm, and 19mm for sure)
Open ended wrench set (10mm, 12mm, and 17mm for sure)
Spring compressor (rent or buy, but don't pay more than $50)
WD-40
Jack stands
Your spare tire tools from the car (or a T bar and hydraulic jack)
Time

If you need a write-up, I can do one, but I won't have any pictures. Having a friend helps at certain parts.

 

suspension is easy, ive done it 10+ times...

 

Thanks for the info guys Gonna try it real soon...

 

You took out the back seats??? Why? I just installed my Maxspeeds this last weekend. You don't need to remove anything except for the trunk liner. You just need a 5 inch socket extension to get to the back bolt. Don't scare the guy! He probably won't even consider doing it himself now.

The instructions in the how-to's section are pretty good.

 

I had to because of my custom sub box. It was too hard to work around it in the trunk.

 

3 things that I would recommend are jackstands, a compressor and a 1/2" impact wrench.

 

Good point. Speaking of jackstands ... anyone know where the jackstands go to in the rear of the car? I don't have a hydraulic jack, so I was using the nissan one. In the fronts, I jacked up the car and put the jack stands under the frame rails. Couldn't find anything suitable for the rears. They're probably supposed to go where the jack point is, but it's kinda impossible when the floor jack is there, too.

 

one thing i noticed when i did mine was at the back of the car...there is almost nowhere to use for a jack point, unless you use the rear suspension beam but you cant becasue the suspension must fall in order to get the shocks out...the back is a pain...for those of you who have done this WITHOUT taking out the back seat and all those metal covers, how did you do it without having to do that?? I took all that out...which was part of the hassle i had with the rear suspension...

 

I didn't take anything out except the trunk liner. Once that's out, you just need a regular socket for the nut closest to the center of the car. The outside nut you can access from above the black metal crap. You just need a 5 inch (IIRC) socket extension. I removed all four nuts in under five minutes. I'm going to redo everything once I get my KYB's in a couple weeks, so I'll try to take some pics. Btw, I thought the rear springs were WAYYYYY easier than the fronts ...

 

The front was no problem at all for me...the back was only a pain because i removed all that other junk and i didnt need too...Ill be doing it all over again soon too once i get my Teins...

 

OT: What does IIRC mean?

 

If I Remember Correctly

 

A couple of quick notes if you decide to DIY...make sure to mark how the struts are oriented before you taking them apart. Loosen the center bolt in the front struts BEFORE you remove it from the car (loosen only! DO NOT take it completely off).

 

Speaking from experience, I take it? LOL. Thank God for Mom. I used some of her purple nail polish to mark the orientation before I disassembled the spring/strut. Good advice ... trying to remove that center bolt once you had the spring compressors on would be impossible!!! I pretty much followed these instructions ---> Spring/Strut Install How-to

 

Yep Did it 2 weeks ago. And another thing to look out for is that the new front struts should be labled left and right...don't mix them up. Didn't realize that until I looked closely. Almost missed it.

 

Ok, once again thanks guys for the info, I went to auto zone and you can pay $25 to rent the compressor, and get a full refund when you return it, now that I like Gonna give it a shot real soon, gonna do the RSB and FSTB all at the same time...