View Poll Results: So what springs are you running on your Max?
Eibach
228
16.59%
H&R
126
9.17%
Maxspeed
92
6.70%
Tein H-Tech
91
6.62%
Tein S-Tech
166
12.08%
Groundcontrol Coilovers
12
0.87%
Sprint
22
1.60%
Progressive
88
6.40%
JIC
13
0.95%
Stock
536
39.01%
Voters: 1374. You may not vote on this poll
What springs are you running on your Max??
Originally Posted by Progress
Woops, forgot to check this.
Actually his prices weren't competitive enough for me. What he would have charged me ($656 Grand Total) costs more than what I ended up paying ($603 Grand Total).
Anyway ... I had a question for you guys. When people talk about bottoming out, do they mean the car hitting the bump stops, or do they mean it actually bottoming out and having an actual piece of the car hit the pavement? Isn't the idea of the bump stops to prevent suspension travel from making the car hit the pavement. I guess the cutting of bump stops is to compensate for the drop (i.e. most drops are 1-2 inches, so you cut one inch off the bump stop), correct? This way, the car will hit the bump stops before it bottoms out. Am I right?
Actually his prices weren't competitive enough for me. What he would have charged me ($656 Grand Total) costs more than what I ended up paying ($603 Grand Total).
Anyway ... I had a question for you guys. When people talk about bottoming out, do they mean the car hitting the bump stops, or do they mean it actually bottoming out and having an actual piece of the car hit the pavement? Isn't the idea of the bump stops to prevent suspension travel from making the car hit the pavement. I guess the cutting of bump stops is to compensate for the drop (i.e. most drops are 1-2 inches, so you cut one inch off the bump stop), correct? This way, the car will hit the bump stops before it bottoms out. Am I right?
Originally Posted by Progress
Woops, forgot to check this.
Actually his prices weren't competitive enough for me. What he would have charged me ($656 Grand Total) costs more than what I ended up paying ($603 Grand Total).
Anyway ... I had a question for you guys. When people talk about bottoming out, do they mean the car hitting the bump stops, or do they mean it actually bottoming out and having an actual piece of the car hit the pavement? Isn't the idea of the bump stops to prevent suspension travel from making the car hit the pavement. I guess the cutting of bump stops is to compensate for the drop (i.e. most drops are 1-2 inches, so you cut one inch off the bump stop), correct? This way, the car will hit the bump stops before it bottoms out. Am I right?
Actually his prices weren't competitive enough for me. What he would have charged me ($656 Grand Total) costs more than what I ended up paying ($603 Grand Total).
Anyway ... I had a question for you guys. When people talk about bottoming out, do they mean the car hitting the bump stops, or do they mean it actually bottoming out and having an actual piece of the car hit the pavement? Isn't the idea of the bump stops to prevent suspension travel from making the car hit the pavement. I guess the cutting of bump stops is to compensate for the drop (i.e. most drops are 1-2 inches, so you cut one inch off the bump stop), correct? This way, the car will hit the bump stops before it bottoms out. Am I right?
Originally Posted by cutter
I got my H-techs/Illumnias for like 620 shipped to my door from SCO. Just call Steve and he hooks it up. Steve's number 888-766-0022 Ext. 183
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 33
Jeez, I've been debating what springs/shocks to get for quite some time and have spent HOURS on this forum trying to figure it out and hear from other people (and yes i went to houscor's site). I think I have it narrowed down.
Anyway, Im into a comfortable ride, crisp handling and an attractive drop.
I dont want a jarring ride or the slammed look. I basically want to escape the ugly stock wheel gap and the horrendouse ride of the stock setup.
So, would you guys all concur that H&R/Illumina is the way to go? I like the idea of adjusting but im just a daily driver who drives hard ...but goes no where near a track. is there a shock that has a comfy ride that doesnt adjust? Would the blues be too much like stock?
Anyway, Im into a comfortable ride, crisp handling and an attractive drop.
I dont want a jarring ride or the slammed look. I basically want to escape the ugly stock wheel gap and the horrendouse ride of the stock setup.
So, would you guys all concur that H&R/Illumina is the way to go? I like the idea of adjusting but im just a daily driver who drives hard ...but goes no where near a track. is there a shock that has a comfy ride that doesnt adjust? Would the blues be too much like stock?
I was going to go with H&R but the drop doesn't look that good. It sags in the back and makes the front look high. So I went with teh h-techs instead and I am very happy with them. The ride on regular roads with some imperfections is fine, but it does hit hard over pot holes. I would go with the h-techs for the look, handling, and ride quality.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,341
From: state of confusion
The front suspension on your 5th gen is, generically, a "MacPherson strut". In Earl MacPherson's original design, the strut/shock/spring assembly is bolted to the steering knuckle and mounted directly to the top of the strut tower. There is no upper ball joint or upper control arm. You are correct about brand names being without meaning as far as the description of suspension type is concerned.
Strictly speaking, no rear suspension strut is a MacPherson strut, as there is no requirement for active steering involved. If you see what looks like a MacStrut on a rear suspension, it's more properly labelled a "Chapman strut", after Colin Chapman (and early Lotus usage).
But since the rear suspension on the 5th gen is a twist beam arrangement, what looks like a strut/spring/shock unit has no particular name and is more closely related to a coil-over design than any named strut configuration.
Norm
Strictly speaking, no rear suspension strut is a MacPherson strut, as there is no requirement for active steering involved. If you see what looks like a MacStrut on a rear suspension, it's more properly labelled a "Chapman strut", after Colin Chapman (and early Lotus usage).
But since the rear suspension on the 5th gen is a twist beam arrangement, what looks like a strut/spring/shock unit has no particular name and is more closely related to a coil-over design than any named strut configuration.
Norm
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 197
Originally Posted by Norm Peterson
The front suspension on your 5th gen is, generically, a "MacPherson strut". In Earl MacPherson's original design, the strut/shock/spring assembly is bolted to the steering knuckle and mounted directly to the top of the strut tower. There is no upper ball joint or upper control arm. You are correct about brand names being without meaning as far as the description of suspension type is concerned.
Strictly speaking, no rear suspension strut is a MacPherson strut, as there is no requirement for active steering involved. If you see what looks like a MacStrut on a rear suspension, it's more properly labelled a "Chapman strut", after Colin Chapman (and early Lotus usage).
But since the rear suspension on the 5th gen is a twist beam arrangement, what looks like a strut/spring/shock unit has no particular name and is more closely related to a coil-over design than any named strut configuration.
Norm
Strictly speaking, no rear suspension strut is a MacPherson strut, as there is no requirement for active steering involved. If you see what looks like a MacStrut on a rear suspension, it's more properly labelled a "Chapman strut", after Colin Chapman (and early Lotus usage).
But since the rear suspension on the 5th gen is a twist beam arrangement, what looks like a strut/spring/shock unit has no particular name and is more closely related to a coil-over design than any named strut configuration.
Norm
Wow, thanks Norm. So does that mean if my extended warrenty specifically lists MacPherson strut assemblies that it wont cover the rear struts? And if it lists them as "strut assemblies" would that include the springs? Should the spring be replaced if the strut is replaced? Is this standard practice?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,341
From: state of confusion
As far as replacing the springs goes, when a shop replaces a strut, almost all of the time they simply transfer the old spring to the new strut. Understanding that the technician is very likely to not bother checking the spring for straightness or whether it's somewhere near its specified free length once removed - unless they're way off - is part of this.
As to the warranty wording, I think that would need very close reading and perhaps an official Nissan interpretation or other legal definition. That said, I wouldn't expect any such protection to cover the fronts but not the rears.
Norm
As to the warranty wording, I think that would need very close reading and perhaps an official Nissan interpretation or other legal definition. That said, I wouldn't expect any such protection to cover the fronts but not the rears.
Norm
sprins
So i have been on H&R spring and illuminas for about 30,000 miles now.
Got g35 coupe rims with 235/40/18..on regular roads its magic..handling,turns,everything is improved over stock
only thing is the wheel gap...As Cutter mentioned, the front wheel gap is just too big..
Also when i hit those potholes or just LA roads in general I get large thuds!! when I hit them. So i am thinking of changing to H Techs because if I am going to deal with the thuds!! i might as well get an even drop!! the roughness is not corrected even if i was on 1/1 setting./ right now I am on 3/4 because it seems more floaty on 2/3 or even 3/3
anyone know where i can get H techs for cheap!! or does anyone want to trade
Got g35 coupe rims with 235/40/18..on regular roads its magic..handling,turns,everything is improved over stock
only thing is the wheel gap...As Cutter mentioned, the front wheel gap is just too big..
Also when i hit those potholes or just LA roads in general I get large thuds!! when I hit them. So i am thinking of changing to H Techs because if I am going to deal with the thuds!! i might as well get an even drop!! the roughness is not corrected even if i was on 1/1 setting./ right now I am on 3/4 because it seems more floaty on 2/3 or even 3/3
anyone know where i can get H techs for cheap!! or does anyone want to trade
Has anyone bought Springs and struts from Ebay. I'm looking to get some H-Techs and HP Blues from there for a total of $470 vs SCO's and other websites' prices of $639 and up. I'd just like to know if anyone has any experience purchasing spring from Ebay, thanks. Oh yeah, I'm riding stocks now, but as you see, my obvious choice is to go with H-Techs since I hear so much rave reviews. Even and clean drop, decent ride, great price.
Oh another thing...>>>> SO I dont post *****::>>>> HAs anyone here only dropped thier front just to get rid of our 4x4 wheel gap?
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Sterlin Silver Mist 5th Gen Driver
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Oh another thing...>>>> SO I dont post *****::>>>> HAs anyone here only dropped thier front just to get rid of our 4x4 wheel gap?
_________________
Sterlin Silver Mist 5th Gen Driver
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Bump
Originally Posted by carabuser
how long have you been riding on these? how are the stock shocks holding up?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
By the way, anyone on the board only have aftermarket struts at the front of thier car, if so, what springs, what kind of struts and hows the ride? Thanks a bunch in advance.
Finally
Finally I can join the Ranks of the Suspension gods of this forum. MAbey not all of that. But I finally got my Illuminas today. Shipped out same day from Ebay, but UPS took FOREVER(train delays, bombs, Steven Segal, whatever it was). My whole suspension setup is finally here. (H-Techs)...well, almost, I still need some new dustboots/bumpstops. But this will be my project during the weekend/week. Wish me luck with the install. 
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EDIT: Its Sat, and its frigging FREEEEEZing in NY. I wont be working on and install this weekend aparently. sigh. Mabey I can find a mech. who'll do it for cheap.
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EDIT: Its Sat, and its frigging FREEEEEZing in NY. I wont be working on and install this weekend aparently. sigh. Mabey I can find a mech. who'll do it for cheap.
Originally Posted by illlojik
....My whole suspension setup is finally here. (H-Techs)...well, almost, I still need some new dustboots/bumpstops. But this will be my project during the weekend/week. Wish me luck with the install.
NAme is actually KRIS, but thanks anyways. My install was successful, handling is great. So FarI've only tried 2 settings, 3/4 and 4/4 on the illuminas. The back struts are kind of hard to get to to adjust (Damn black shielding). I just put my 18s on, havnt tested the ride with them on yet, but I'll probably have to set everything to 1/1 in order to stand the ride. NY roads are a b!+(#
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,341
From: state of confusion
Originally Posted by Max_Shizo
. . . Has anyone heard of dropzone springs
and if so do they suck?
Norm
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,341
From: state of confusion
No feelings hurt here.
I contend that the full definition of the term 'suck' as applied to springs also includes the car's daily ride characteristics. IOW, the part about lowering springs that you'll have to live with when you're actually using the car to go somewhere.
People have been making all sorts of poor choices about springs for longer than I can remember (and I do have a few years to call on). Mostly, those folks end up either constantly griping about a poor ride or sucking it up and keeping quiet rather than admit that they made a questionable decision.
A somewhat more informed thought process before shelling out any $ in this case gives you a better chance of ending up with the ride height that you're looking for combined with a ride that you can live with rather than 'have to put up with'.
Norm
I contend that the full definition of the term 'suck' as applied to springs also includes the car's daily ride characteristics. IOW, the part about lowering springs that you'll have to live with when you're actually using the car to go somewhere.
People have been making all sorts of poor choices about springs for longer than I can remember (and I do have a few years to call on). Mostly, those folks end up either constantly griping about a poor ride or sucking it up and keeping quiet rather than admit that they made a questionable decision.
A somewhat more informed thought process before shelling out any $ in this case gives you a better chance of ending up with the ride height that you're looking for combined with a ride that you can live with rather than 'have to put up with'.
Norm
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 36
ok. so i received my dropzone springs yesterday. I have been reading different things about people cutting the bumpstops. There are no instructions with my springs so how do I know how much to cut off? The dropzones claim to drop my car 2" inches all around.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,341
From: state of confusion
Originally Posted by sciff5
Got the Eibachs on and they ride great. I dont know how they got the reputation of being a hard riding spring.
Norm
Originally Posted by Norm Peterson
Not everybody's tolerance for a ride that's stiffer than stock is the same, and some may frequently drive on roads that are bad enough to put a lowered car into the bump stops more frequently. Don't forget that people making complaints tend to speak with louder and more persistent voices than those who are satisfied with their choice(s).
Norm
Norm
I live in pothole ridden New England and with the Eibachs I bottom out no more than when I was stock. the only time I could see my setup being too stiff is inner city driving where potholes can be 4+" deep with sharp edges. There is a pothole around here like that and it would bottom my car out even when I had stock suspension
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,341
From: state of confusion
Originally Posted by sciff5
I live in pothole ridden New England and with the Eibachs I bottom out no more than when I was stock. the only time I could see my setup being too stiff is inner city driving where potholes can be 4+" deep with sharp edges. There is a pothole around here like that and it would bottom my car out even when I had stock suspension
Norm
What do you guys recommend for a daily New England driver? '02 Max with stock suspension at 45k... now in need of rear suspension! I am also planning to get the fronts done while I'm at it!
I was thinking of Eibach + Tokicos!
I was thinking of Eibach + Tokicos!