I have a 2002 Maxima SE and I was wondering what it would take to switch to a softer type GLE suspension. I know the struts are softer but what else needs to be changed? (I've already switched to a 55 series tire 225/55/17). Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

Trust me on this one: You DON'T want that. I had a GXE and now I have an SE and the GXE/GLE suspension makes the car feel like a boat - almost like it wants to roll over on every turn. The stock SE suspension isn't that firm anyway.

That said, if you really want to go through the trouble of that - you could get the shocks and springs off of a wrecked GXE or GLE Maxima (they both have the same suspension, only SE is different) from a junkyard or something, or if you really want to pay through the nose, through a Nissan dealer. Try http://car-part.com.

 

I have a set of stock gle springs that I would sell to you if you are interested. $25 plus shipping, Thanks,

 

I've heard the front anti-sway bar might be smaller too on both 4th & 5th gen but nobody's been able to measure and confirm.

 

Front springs would probably be a good start. I remember Nissan had a TSB out for the GLE where the rear suspension would clunk, and the fix was to install SE springs. So I'd keep the rear SE springs and put front GLE springs on there to soften the initial impacts...

Then stiffen it up with subframe connectors and the rest of the goodies and see how it rides... BTW what type of 225/55-17 tires did you get? I'm thinking of those for my next tire purchase too (these 235/45-17 are a pain, and I've bent 2 wheels, and maybe more, already on them...)

 

Sounds like you and I need to trade rides- I have a stock GLE and it feels WAY too soft.

-piga

 

I thought only the rear springs in the se were different. i thought struts and front springs were the same on gle,gxe,and se

 

Why??? I feel like my SE is already waaay soft....

But then that's my opinion... so ignore me...

 

I have a gxe. I driven SE's before. Only diff is that a SE is more stiff.

 

what makes it more stiff/just springs or different springs and struts. if its just springs all he has to do is get gle/gxe springs and keep same shocks

 

02-03 have different springs, and bigger front sway bar. I installed the swaybar on my Max for a tighter ride. 02-03s are little heavier in the front end this is why they have different springs- and the reason why when lowered 3.5s sit lower than 3.0s on same type of lowering spring.

 

so does that mean the shocks/struts ave the same across the board gxe/gle/se

 

Put 3 fat chicks in the back.

 

- Replace springs with GLE springs which will reduce the spring rate
- Replace struts with KYB GR2's which will increase the damping rates -particularly on rebound
- Retain the SE front sway bar.

Try this.....you'll like it as it adds damping while reducing spring rates.

 

I agree the SE suspension is too harsh. When new I had the dealer replace the 17" wheeels with 16" so I got more rubber under the car. This helped a little, but over the years as the suspension wore the ride doesn't seem as harsh and/or I've gotten used to it. The dealer quoted me over $2k to replace the suspension with a GX/GLE susp.

 

lol, that's funny you actually got a dealer quote for that... amazing they even considered it

 

Wow, until this thread, I NEVER thought I'd hear that... but then again suspension and ride quality is so dependent on personal preference....

 

Used GLE springs from any Org member = $100 max
Set of KYB GR2 struts = $380 to $400
Labor to swap everything = $200
Total = $700 bucks.

Ride improvement = priceless

One question: what tires did u go with when u swapped to 16" wheels?

 

I don't think the se suspension is stiff enough. the springs are perfect but the shocks are way to soft and mushy

 

A thread like this makes me worry about one like "How do I make my car slower?"

JK

 

Seems like its heading in that direction doesn't it?

 

Classic 'old Japanese' suspension philosophy: oversprung and underdamped, that's why it's harsh over short, sharp bumps but soft over floaty stuff. Remember, this car's chassis design dates back to 1995......that's ancient technology by now.

 

I find the stock suspension soft as a **** pillow, I don't think you guys would even stand 5 min in my car driving around Chicago streets. Seriously why didn't you get the GLE or GXE if you thought SE was too stiff ?

 

How would it be to have aftermarket struts (illuminas) and stock springs? I'm sure this has been asked before. I just don't want a drop, but I want a tighter suspension for cheap.

 

Galo that sounds about perfect.stiffly sprung and underdampened. hey its an easy fix with better shocks tokicos/kyb

 

who has responded. I know some of you might think I'm crazy and I really just thought it was more of a nuisance until I took a long distance trip in my Max. It really brings on the fatigue quickly. I replaced my tires with Bridgestone Turanza LS-Vs (225-55-17) and they have been amazing. Quieter and better traction all around. They're sportier than the RE 92s that were on the car.

So the consensus is that the springs definitely are softer? But no consensus on the struts? Aren't the bushings softer too?

I'd like nothing better than to swap with a GLE except that I don't like leather all that much. But I'd be willing to trade the ride for the surface of the seats.

 

wow, I live in a place where they replace pot-holes....with speedbumps...over and over again.

I had a 96 GLE max w/se tires in 02 and drove 3,000 mile a month for my previous job, it not only tore apart my car to switch from sunny year round climate to winter and snow and -9+ days, but by the end of 1 year, I needed two new lower ball joints, new sway bar link bushings, and tie rod ends (Also granite stone curbs are a BTCH
Just got an 2000 SE last year and so far, perfect, I want to even stiffen it, Never would have wanted to do that in my old car but to me, after that, i feel I can move on to better handling.

It may have just been the tires, or the 2-3 curb checks(specifically the one that sliced the lip of my rim like a hangnail) but the 4 gen gle susp was way worse than this one.

 

Wow I 'm trying to get my car in to SLE with so extra help (fstb AND rsb!!) with another things too!!!!
I can't understand why you want to get into this susp.

 

Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

 

gle feels very loose! (in my opinion!!!)

 

I replaced my shocks at 30000 miles with blue tokicos and feels and rides like a new improved MAX se . factory shocks stink.

 

Loose as a goose...just the way i like my girls (reffering to cars ONLY)

My GLE is okay..as long as i don't hit 95 I can seem to handle my car very well. Changing lanes at 90 is a bit boat-like but i don't do that much. 85 or < is no prob.

bottom line: GLE has a softer pillowy ride and as long as you don't drift its coo.

 

jejeje That is a goodone, 85 MPH ( WOw!!!) w or w/o fstb AND rsb?????

 

GLE leans too much in turns, but rides better on the road for normal driving. SE's too too stiff. Try to buy a GLE then add a roll bar.

 

Speaking of tires, I notice you have the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Vs (225-55-17),
did they throw off the speedo any? Also, how are they compared to the Crapenza RE92's. I still have the original tires, they suck and I want to replace them with something quiet, comfy and better all season traction.. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks

 

Don't ever bother...There is no difference. My neighbor has an SE and I have a GLE and we can't tell the difference. If there is a difference, it is very slight and not worth wasting your time over....

 

I have the Turanza LS-Vs in the OEM size 225/50/17 and they are bigger than the 225/50/17 Potenzas in every dimension, particularly width: the Potenzas are 25.9" in diameter while the Turanzas are 26.1" and the width is 6.7" for the Potenzas and a whopping 7.6" on the Turanzas -almost one inch wider! So....while I dont have the specs on the 225/55's, I suspect they will throw the speedo off quite a bit.

The Turanzas are so wide that if I were to go the route of installing 55 series tires in lieu of 50 series, I would install 215/55's, not 225/55's. The 215's are still wider than the 225 Potenzas, you would still get the 55 series comfort and dont throw the speedo off as much.

They are indeed fantastic tires....perhaps not quite as crisp and sharp on transient manouvers as the Pilot A/S (I had these too) but ultimate grip is just as good and much, much quieter and comfier.

 

They are indeed fantastic tires....perhaps not quite as crisp and sharp on transient manouvers as the Pilot A/S (I had these too) but ultimate grip is just as good and much, much quieter and comfier.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info........ I read the reviews for the Turanza on Tirerack and that was the tire I was leaning towards...they just dont have it in 225-50-17 at this time....looks like I'll have to wait about a week but your input definitely helped with my decision.....
R

 

You gotta specify though. Even 02/03 GLEs feels harsher than 00/01 GLEs. In fact, I've driven both 03 SE and GLE and both felt more loose than mine, but I guess it's because they were stock without anything to tighten up the ride.. So a GLE with a couple of handling mods rides perfectly smooth and handles just okay.