I've got a 2k2 GLE and love how smooth the ride is, but would like to spend a few $$ tightening up the suspension without sacrificing ride quality. Of course there are limitless combos to acheive this I'm sure but which of you has managed to eliminate some of the roll and pitch associated with the softer sprung GLE without turning it into a kidney-buster?

 

i would suggest staying away from springs and struts because even with the softest combos, they are still more harsh than stock. i would suggest a rsb (rear sway bar) with either an addco or stillen bar. it also wouldnt hurt to get a fstb (front strut tower brace) which you can find ebay in generic brands for pretty cheap. if you want something that looks nicer then take a look at stillen's bar. you will love the rsb and the effect it has on body roll and does affect driveability whatsover.

 

My suggestion would be to stay w/stock springs but change the OEM's shocks. Then get a FSTB/RSB and then install the stage 1 SFC's (subframe connector) from http://www.warpspeed.performance.com

This setup will tighten your ride and the SFC's will significantly improve the rigidity of the car's structure. This translate to a smoother ride w/better feedback/control of the road.

 

I have never done any mods to any of my cars. Would the mods void the manufacturer's warranty? I was going to change the tweeters in my so-called premium Bose system because they are pretty bad, but was told by the dealer that would void the warranty.

 

Awesome. Those are exactly the recommendations I was hoping for. As far as installation of the strut tower brace I think I have an idea how that is installed. Isn't it installed onto the same bolt that sticks up through the wheelwell?? I have no idea how the rear sway bar is installed. I have never "worked"on my car before (there. I admitted it. ouch.) but want to learn some basics!!

 

Dude, keep the stock GLE ride. I take 25mph "S" curves @ 50-60mph, and the car handles ok. It doesn't feel safe, but I can do it. The chasis likes to flex a lot and this results in all 4-wheels being planted to the ground, all the time. And if the curve is bumpy, the soft suspension does a good job of handling the bumps. My bro's stiff RSX chasis "jumps & slides" on bumpy curves.

I'm not saying that a GLE will outhandle an SE... I'm just saying that to exceed the cornering limits of your GLE your nut(s) must be the size of the Epcot Center.

Besides, isn't the stock GLE suspension harsh enough?...

G

 

lol u crazy. i do agree with you though. nothin like the stock ride. if u start fukin with **** it wont ever be the same.

will

 

I started wondering about it when I drove my roommates girlfriends car the other night. She has a 2003 Accord Coupe EX and it exhibits very similar qualities in terms of plushness of ride but much less pitch when tossed a bit. I know that there are several reasons for this such as independent rear susp. a more torsionaly rigid chassis and a higher beltline, but kinda hoped that a few adjustments to the Max could yield similar results. Personally I hate the new look of the Accord. My 95 Accord EX coupe is so much better in terms of asthetics. And at less than 3000 lbs. its still a ball to hit the backroads with. Puny engine though. Her '03 is sorta quick but has nowhere near the lowend punch of the VQ. Ah, torque

 

RSB
FSTB
Upgrade to sticky tires
Sub-frame connectors


~limsandy

 

Sub-frame connecters??

 

I sold my SE springs to a fellow org member, he installed them on his gle and loves it

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=266048

Definitely worth the $$$$ and it won't void out the warranty. Should take you no more than 2hrs to install. I did it myself w/out taking off the wheels and it took me about1-1/2 hrs.

Also, look into a OTTO FSTB. Looks great, solid aluminum, and very inexpensive. Should be a 10-15 minute job.

 

Thanks VMosser323. I'll scope that out. Did you by chance see my question about the installation of the FSTB earlier in this thread? Was I right or wrong about the mounting points?

 

I was looking into the SFCs a while back but I eventually lost interest. Anyone have any new feedback on these? I'm thinking about just stage 1.

 

Wholeheartedly disagree... I have kept the stock springs and shocks, but I 100% recommend a front strut brace and rear sway bar. Body roll in this car is (in my opinion) at almost an unsafe level stock, if you're doing any sort of performance driving. It does not increase the harshness of the ride at all (by keeping stock springs/struts) , it just makes it tremendously easier to drive.

I'd like to see someone on here say they got a FSTB and Rear Sway Bar and actually preferred the stock ride. It's still plenty soft to drive Grandma around in.

 

That would be me My first mod was a FSTB from custommaxima.com. It improved steering wheel feedback somewhat, made the steering wheel feel more connected to the car/road. No real imporvement in road holding. Then I installed the stillen RSB. No noticable change in daily driving, but I could tell the car remained flatter when I got agressive on freeway ramps. You have to get agressive before you feel this one. Then I installed the SE springs. That was my favorite upgrade. Turn-in is MUCH improved over the GLE rear springs. The car feels much more stable and flat. But even with the SE springs, that highway bobbing still rears it's head from time to time. Ride quality is basically as good as the GLE springs... you will only notice the difference on really bad pavement where the rear is just a little jittery. The GLE in stock form is almost too isolated from the road, these three upgrades will definitely make your car more fun to drive, while maintaining a nice, full-size sedan ride. As someone mentioned, the stock shocks (GXE/GLE/SE get the same part number) are weak and do not offer enough dampening, hense the highway bobbing. For me, the spring setup is just about right, it just needs better shocks.

 

One mod @ a time-
Definitly get the FTSB first- drive it a period of time If you want more -then cop the Anti-Sway Bar
The RSB ( some say u feel no difference) should be last

I have extra weight (audio) in the rear so my SE doesnt feel so unstable back there

 

Yes, the FSTB attaches @ the strut bolts, which you find above the wheel well. This mod is literally unscrewing the three bolts from each side, placing the FSTB on, and retightening the bolts. The RSB goes under the rear axle and is really nothing more than placing clamps around the axle and side beams to hold a curved bar. This RSB description is VERY basic and no it does not affect the rear axle negatively in any way.

MannyNJ2K2max, the anti sway bar and the RSB (rear sway bar) are the same thing. I think you're referring to the RSTB (rear strut tower bar) which I do not have and I have heard can't be felt in driving, so I don't know how much it brings to the table.

 

In my experience it was the opposite. I put on the FSTB first and really didn't notice an improvement, then I installed the RSB(BTW, these are all simple mods that anyone with some common sense can do themselves) and immediately noticed an improvement especially in spirited driving. So, IMO go with both at the same time, they're relatively cheap mods that will make you more confident with the handling of your Max.

 

Well... I never said that it will "feel safer", but I do mention that the stock GLE suspension and the chasis flexing will plant ALL-4 WHEELS to the ground, under almost any circumstance.

I've read posts about users that say the RSB will tighten the rear, and it makes the car "feel" much safer, HOWEVER... it also lifts the inside rear wheel in tight corners. I'd rather have 4-wheels producing friction & traction, rather than 3... I think there are a few autocrossers on the org that removed their RSB for this reason. (sorry can't search)

Yes, the RSB will make you feel safer. The only way to determine if the car handles better with an RSB is to perform a "before & after" slalom test.

G

 

Thanks alot for the input and the assurance about installation. Im gonna grab a couple dollars and try my hand at it! I'll let you know how it turns out or be back asking more Q&A!

 

If having a heavier trunk keeps the Max from bopping on bumpy roads, I will put my fat mother in law in there, together with a 50 lb sand bag. I don't mind losing a bit of mpg on my gas