I have a 2000 Maxima SE with 93,3000 miles on it. I've started to notices some strange sounds coming from my front end lately. Also, the car start to vibrate at around 75MPH. I the vibration might have been from bad wheel balancing so I had the tires rotated and balanced. So I think it might be time for some shocks to be replaced (Hopefully no problems with anything els on the suspension)

Anybody have their shock recently replaced, particualry the SE with the fancy sport-tuned suspension? (whatever that means)

 

If you are still running on the OEM SE springs, you would most likely be happy with the KYB GR2 - they may perform better than OEM. If you want a ride very comparable to the OEM strut, try Tokico Blue. If you want much better performance, you could try the Cattman modified KYB AGX adjustables, the new Tokico Illumina adjustables (either just released or about to be released) or Koni Yellow adjustables (rears are complete, but fronts are cartridges and you must re-use the OEM case).

Personally, I would recommend the KYB GR2 - they will perform very well with the original OEM Nissan springs.

 

if you want to go w/ OEM shocks, I have 10000 miles old shocks sitting around. Let me know if you are interested.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself!

gr

 

Thanks for the info. If I replace with other than OEM, I probably should replace both front and rears?

 

even w/ oem, I would recommend replacing all 4.

 

With 2000 SE OEM, if you want to keep the OEM spring height, is it advisable to buy new OEM springs (especially after 93K miles or so) at the same time you replace the struts?
I imagine springs do wear out over time right?

 

I would think so but shocks would wear out lot faster compared to springs. I had a 300k miles old car and never had to change springs. I just replaced shocks few times.

 

Seeing as I am an auto newbie, what are some scams I should look at for? I just want my shocks replaced, will they try and upsell me to anything else?
Thanks again for the advice. I'll tell them I want the KYB GR2 shocks. These work on the SE as well?

 

Like I said earlier, I have a set of OEM shocks from my 01 SE. No need to go to the dealership and pay crazy money for them. Email me or private message me if you are interested.

 

Since there are not many shocks available for the 5th gen Maxima, I would guess that most shops would probably recommend the KYB GR2 anyhow. These shocks are relatively inexpensive. I think the rears can be had for approximately $60 each and the fronts for approximately $90 each. Just try not to get ripped off. You could consider calling around and finding out if a shop will install your own shocks if you brought them in - this way you could buy the shocks yourself first. Springs do not usually wear out and I am very confident that you will not need to replace them unless one is broken (sometimes the spring breaks where it meets the strut at the bottom of the spring) or you are experiencing sag (car sitting low). Both situations are rare. On the other hand, sometimes the rubber bushings/fittings at the top of the strut can wear out. In fact, if you are hearing "strange noises", your problem could be this. You might be well advised to purchase new upper strut mounts. KYB makes some replacement front mounts for 5th gens, but you would have to get rear replacements from the dealership. The KYB parts are much cheaper than the Nissan OEM parts and just as good. With nearly 100k on the car, this might be a worthwhile replacement.

If you search the forums, or call around to your local auto parts supply stores, you should be able to find the KYB parts for relatively cheap pricing.

Also, the KYB struts will be a little more "sporty" feeling than the OEM struts. I have an SE and I upgraded my struts to the GR2 with lowering springs. The struts are firm over small bumps but are forgiving over large bumps. This is the inverse of the OEM struts that Nissan put on the car. The OEM strut was very soft/floaty over small bumps but became very firm over larger bumps. To be more specific, the OEM Nissan strut was floaty on the highway and jarring on rough roads with big bumps or pot holes. In contrast, the KYB is somewhat softer over big bumps and potholes and less floaty (gives more road feel) on the highway. I prefer the behavior of the KYB setup much more than the OEM Nissan strut setup. If you would prefer a shock closer in behavior to the OEM Nissan strut, then use the Tokico Blue instead of the KYB.

Any of the struts we are discussing are more than suitable for the SE.

 

unless it is bouncing on you...you DON'T need to replace shocks.

 

With 93K on his car, how much would you like to bet that he's bouncing!

 

i have a 150k miles civic and shocks are still not bouncing. Maxima being a superior car, I doubt he needs new shocks.

 

You probably need shocks in a bad way. If you were to remove one of them and collapse the piston rod, you would most likely see that it has little to no resistance to hand pressure. OEM shocks rarely last for more than 50k miles. You don't notice right away because it is gradual. Does your car ever bottom out on bumps in the road?

 

never bottoms out. When I'm turning w/ some speed and hit some bumps on the road, my car doesn't skip.

 

I know that you believe your shocks are not worn out. It is not likely that any OEM shock will last well over 100k miles. If you were to get new shocks, you would think that your car rode like new. If you have the originals on your car, they are either the best shocks ever made, or they are just there for the ride. No offense.

 

maybe I'll notice the ride difference when I buy new shocks.

 

I got 94k no shock problems. I even did some off-roading in the desert! Ok ok not hardcore off roading but a bumping sand/rock road

 

I've got 96K on my '00 with OE shocks. Doesn't bottom out, but it does roll a bit more than when it was new, or even 15k miles ago... How 'bout yours?
Have Tokico blues to put on and am considerting MaxSpeed or Eibach springs....

 

I may have the record on here then I am still on OEM setup and I've decided that most votes have gone to GR2's for performance while still retaining some ride quality.

Mine has gotten a little bouncy, but not too bad. I think the FSTB and RSB help to offset some of the problems I should be feeling.

 

Before you go out and get new shocks......the problem you describe could be caused by something else, too, especially:

Front sway bar linkage - if the balljoints on this piece are shot, you will get noise and high speed vibration. You can replace these for about 50 bucks for the parts and they take about 15 minutes each side to replace.

Tie rod ends: these things could be worn with so many miles on the car...if they are bad, you will get "loose" steering and steering vibration at higher speeds (and could cause noise, though not usually).

Suspension bushings - if one is cracked/ overworn, could explain vibration and noise.

Just a few other things to think about...that said, still could be your struts.....

 

Do you still have those OEM stuts available?

 

nice dig up on this old thread!

believe it or not, i do still have my stock springs from my 2000 gxe.

 

Interesting information, I think my car may be experiencing a similar problem.
When I turn and hit a bump I hear what sounds like rubber squeaking.