KniGhtRydeR

Sorry about the caps. I'm riding on Progress Springs with Illuminas. I got a very important question and I'm wondering if other owners on Illuminas have experienced my same *MAJOR* problem. I hear this clunking when I go over certain potholes or even small dips. The sound is really damn loud. My friend was driving next to me and he heard it with his windows up and told me your car sounds like its fk*ed up.

So I took it into Nissan under warranty and they said that the Struts aren't blown, but that they maybe lost performance? The guy said it was quite typical to have aftermarket struts lose performance and make clunking noises. My question is do you guys think hes right or are they blown? I freaking got these POS illuminas like half a year ago and the back ones are already fried? Can you guys give me some ideas what you guys think is wrong with my struts? or anything you can think of? Do you guys agree with the service center guys assessment?

Damn long post I know and im whoring my bad. Hopefully some of you can help me out?

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

I have the exact same setup and I haven't had any noises yet. Maybe it's your bumpstops hitting when you go over the potholes or dips? What do you have your struts set at?

If they are bad, then you know that Tokico has a limited lifetime warranty on those, right? Did you keep all your warranty information?

KniGhtRydeR

i kept some of those forms, but i ordered it online can i still do the warranty? Btw if it is my bumpstops how do i fix it? I'm not too good with cars so I don't even know what they are?

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

Did you do the installation yourself?

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

knightryder, pm sent.

maseo77

iTrader: (1)

I have heard about these "bumpstops" what are they and how do i trim them down? anyone have a write up?

xtantmaxima

Not my site, but great information can be found at: http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/strut_install.html. Step 8 speaks specifically to your question.

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

Most people trim their bumpstops when installing lowering springs

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

Yeah, check housecor's page. That's what I used to do mine.

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

you sure the spare tire is bolted down tight...
could be..
1. spring not seated right
2. strut bearing is bad
3. strut tower bolts not torqued down
4. lower strut bolts loose
5. bumpstops hitting (especially since progress are fairly low)
6. jack not tightened down and banging around
7. spare tire " " "
I seriously doubt it has to do with a bad strut.........

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

I too have been on the same setup for about 6 months.

Typically ride on 4/5, and it is a BIT harsh over larger bumps, but it handles SO much better in the turns - it's worth the inconvenience to me.
It just seems sloppy on anything less.

SOMETIMES I have strange noises like clunking, that seems to eminate from the rt. rear spring, but nothing consistent or serious. Only when turning sharp and slow and over bumps, etc.

I had mine professionally installed, but I don't think they trimmed my bumpstops as I had TOLD THEM SPECIFICALLY to do.
It DOES bottom-out too soon, so I'm relatively certain this is the case.
However - it's not worth a re-install to me, so I'm just dealing with it.

If it's clunking consistently and LOUDLY enough for someone else to notice while in motion - my guess is that you have something awry in there, but I too doubt that it's the strut failing.
Unseated spring would be my guess....but what do I know.

If it's that bad -- take it back to whomever installed it, and make them inspect it for damage or misallignment. Could be worth it to PAY someone to do it anyway.

BTW -- I DON't think the illuminas have a LIFETIME warranty, I think it was 1 year ltd, if I'm not mistaken. Bought mine through customMaxima.com -- not sure where you got yours, but I'd get them inspected by a pro, and work backwards from there.

gr

*My suspension is groovy -- now I wish I had better brakes. These things BLOW!

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

Tokico warranty card:
"TOKICO Inc. warrants its performance suspension products....blah blah blah.....for as long as such purchaser owns the vehicle on which it was originally installed, except for competition style coilovers which don't....

exclusions:
1. improperly installed
2. modified
3. operated commercially
4. excessively lowered vehicles

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

I'm quite happy to be WRONG!

I'm curious what EXCESSIVELY LOWERED MEANS...?

gr

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

"slammed" "tucking" etc...
Probably drops more than 2-2.5" would qulify, but not H&R, Maxspeed, Progress, etc....

KniGhtRydeR

do you guys think if i printed these responses and showed some mechanic it might help them find the problem or would they just get annoyed and think im some stupid 20 yr old kid who doesnt know shat..?

Reason I am considering printing it and bringing it in is because the mechanic at Nissan coudlnt figure out what was wrong and just said the "struts" lost performance? Maybe hes right? what do you guys think?

KniGhtRydeR

bump..

sorry last bump