Ok, so I am thinking of dropping the car with new struts/springs (please, don't post what to get, there are already a ton of threads on this).

Anyhow, Since during the winter I would like the car to be OEM "4x4" for snow ground clearance (I go skiing alot), I am thinking about just keeping the whole OEM strut/spring assemblies together for quick switch-out (no spring compressors, etc....) and just getting new top caps (or whatever their called) for the aftermarket spring/struts. So basically I would just have 2 complete spring/strut sets available which could be switched out without much trouble. So here's my question: I am assuming all I would need to get is the 4 top caps for the strut/spring assemblies. I assume I could just get a set of OEM ones from the dealer? Anyone know how much these would cost?

thanks in advance for the info.

 

You would also need to get the bumpstops/dustboots and spring isolators.

 

And upper mounts, strut bearings, rubber spring seats.

 

I'm going to a junkyard tomorrow to find these parts on the wrecked 5th gens there....is there anything else I need for what I want to do?

 

Don't try to take those parts off w/o a spring compressor.

 

Yeah I'm gonna bring one (loaner from autozone) or maybe if its cheap enough I will just take the whole spring/strut assemblies and take them apart later at home when I get the new springs/struts...

Then I will put the parts together with the springs/struts I order and have 2 sets complete, so I can just bolt them in and out quick....

 

Great idea Irish. Let me know if you have any luck getting the parts you need from the junkyard. I'd like to do the same.

 

will do.....this is my first try at maxima used parts...i used to search junkyards for GT6/Spitfire parts to fit my Triumph. and those are really hard to find!

 

Why not? I just took off my springs and struts yesterday to replace the strut bearings since i was getting a clicking sound when turning the wheel. I just pushed down on the spring and tophot while a 4th gen buddy undid the bolt. It saved us about 20-30 min on each side without using them.

 

Redstratic - not to go OT, but what is the strut bearing? I just swapped my suspension so I'm sure I saw this part. Any pic of it?

 

yeah i should have taken a pic of it but i didnt have a camera. the strut bearing was destroyed when i removed it. it wasnt turning properly and it was making clicking sounds when i woud turn the wheel or a small thud when i would go over bumps. its the little gray disc shape thing (the bottom rotates) that sits underneath the top hat. it allows the top hat to turn without making the spring turn.

 

I meant taking the spring off the strut, not the whole assembly.

 

Awesome. I just pulled off my strut and confirmed my strut bearing looks good. I remembered seeing this gray disc and figured this was the strut bearing. Sounds like my issue is the wheel bearing then. Thanks for the quick reply!

 

Yard trip was a success! I posted a thread about it HERE