I going to install my max/gr-2 this weekend if weather permits. Reading some write-ups, it seems fairly straight forward. After doing search and reading many posts, i found some people ran into some minor problems, ex like when releasing the top bolt, the spring almost hit him in the face.

I would any advice you can give on installing the springs and struts. Any pointers, tips, tricks, simply anything that would make the installation go smooth. Thx in advance. Will post pics as soon as i installl them.

Sean

 

You are right. Everything is pretty straight forward. Since the stock springs are hard to compress, make sure you need to compress as hard as you can. when u release the bolt, make sure the bolt is facing the wall or somewhere else so IT WON'T HIT YOUR FACE when it pops off. If you compress the springs hard enought, you should release the top bolt with no pop out.

The rear suspensions bolts are pain in the *** to release, it needs lots of stregnth to release them, especially the 2 up mounting bolts and one big lower bolt. you can install the rears first, then do the front.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you take out the springs rubber tubes on the stock springs and reinstall them on your maxspeeds, otherwise you will have cracking or sqeaking noise when you turn.

hope this helps

 

thanks.. i will keep that in mind....

 

The best thing to do is to go to Autozone and borrow the strut spring compressors. I paid 43 and it was refunded as soon as I brought them back. Don't take a chance on not doing it.

 

yeah... spring compressor is definitely a must... if u have access to a lift... it would make things go a lot smoother... rear struts are kind of hard to take off... just keep that in mind... really hard to reach in there...

 

I plan on going to autozone to get the spring compressor. I have all the tools i think i need execpt a torque wrench.. Where can i borrow one of those.. ?

 

Autozone might loan you one. But you can get the cheapest Craftsman torque wrench they have from Sears for like $20.

I agree with what others have said. Me and some friends did springs and struts on my car last weekend and it was refreshingly easy. Time consuming, but easy. I found the hardest bolts to remove were the ones at the bottom of the rear strut assemblies attaching them to the rear axle. Just make sure you have air tools or a breaker bar handy - you'll one of the two.

 

I went to autozone website and they didnt list the torque wrench as one of the loaner tools. It's good to hear that it was "refreshingly easy." Im really looking forward to the install this saturday.

One question, the top bolt. how much should that be torqued???

 

Can't remember on the front, but I found write-ups that document the rear specs.

You might want to browse through these:

http://www.crick.org/bam/max/coilwriteup.htm
http://www.crick.org/bam/max/coilwriteup2.htm
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=4

 

Follow these directions I did mine last weekend and was easy.


Spring/Strut Swap

For rear:

1. Jack up rear end of car and put it on jackstands (or use a lift). Note: Don't jack it up by the axle or you'll have "fun" getting it back together.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Remove the trunk liner.
4. There are 3 bolts on top of each strut. They can be found where the trunk meets the back seat.
5. Figure out some way to remove them (I used 2 socket extensions together. They are 14mm. Remove the outter 2 bolts, leaving the one in the center.
6. Remove the larg bolt connecting the strut to the axle (will need a breaker bar or equivalent).
7. Compress the spring.
8. Remove the top hat (thats the middle bolt).
9. If you are replacing springs, compress the new spring and then put it back on the strut.
10. Do steps 1-9 in reverse.

For front:

1. Jack up front end of car and put it on jackstands (or use a lift).
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Slightly loosen the center bolt on top of each strut.
4. Undo the 3 bolts around top of each strut.
5. Undo the two big bolts at the bottom of the strut (will need a breaker bar or equivalent).
6. Remove all the brake line clips from the bottom of the strut (there is a total of 3).
7. Remove the strut assembly from the car.
8. Compress the spring.
9. Remove the top hat (thats the middle bolt).
10. If you are replacing springs, compress the new spring and then put it back on the strut.
11. Do steps 1-10 in reverse.

 

if you have access to a lift, impact wrench, and spring compressor you should be straight..the only difficulty we had installing ours was the "damn" back plate in the trunk where the struts/springs connect...make sure you have a long enough socket extension in order to get the bolts out..other than that its all pretty much straight forward...

 

Thx for the input guys...eases my mind.