Stock Struts worn out, what to replace them with?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,617
From: Detroit Metro Area
Stock Struts worn out, what to replace them with?
My Max has about 75k on it, and I think the struts are pretty well worn out, so I'm looking to replace them. I see there are choices from Tokico, KYB, all the way to Monroe Sensa-Trac's.
What struts are on the car stock?
What aftermarket strut is closest to the factory ride? I'm not planning on lowering the car or messing with the springs, so that's not a consideration.
What struts are on the car stock?
What aftermarket strut is closest to the factory ride? I'm not planning on lowering the car or messing with the springs, so that's not a consideration.
i had over 80k and i just had stock shocks replace with tokico hps and the ride was a lot smoother. i'm on stock springs and before i replaced them i would feel every bump on the road now the ride is much smoother. it's good price for the hps instead of getting them from dealer which costs over 200 each i believe.
if you want to adjust your ride get the Illuminas... they will cost around 100.00 more than the HPs...and about lowering.. think about it again. I did and trust me the car look much better... and I was in the same boat. Maxspeeds and Illuminas......
GR-2's are said to have a 2/3 setting on the Illumina's. (Which is about 10-15% stiffer than OEM) That said, a lot of people on Illumina's are using that setting on Maxspeeds and other springs.
With that in mind, if you don't plan on adjusting a lot - the GR-2's are probably your best (and most economical) choice.
Take into account, that though the Illumina's are adjustable - that function is there to help you tune the struts to your springs rate. Granted, you can go softer or stiffer than the optimal setting, but how many times will you be adjusting?
Some things to think about.
With that in mind, if you don't plan on adjusting a lot - the GR-2's are probably your best (and most economical) choice.
Take into account, that though the Illumina's are adjustable - that function is there to help you tune the struts to your springs rate. Granted, you can go softer or stiffer than the optimal setting, but how many times will you be adjusting?
Some things to think about.
Originally Posted by soundmike
GR-2's are said to have a 2/3 setting on the Illumina's. (Which is about 10-15% stiffer than OEM) That said, a lot of people on Illumina's are using that setting on Maxspeeds and other springs.
With that in mind, if you don't plan on adjusting a lot - the GR-2's are probably your best (and most economical) choice.
Take into account, that though the Illumina's are adjustable - that function is there to help you tune the struts to your springs rate. Granted, you can go softer or stiffer than the optimal setting, but how many times will you be adjusting?
Some things to think about.
With that in mind, if you don't plan on adjusting a lot - the GR-2's are probably your best (and most economical) choice.
Take into account, that though the Illumina's are adjustable - that function is there to help you tune the struts to your springs rate. Granted, you can go softer or stiffer than the optimal setting, but how many times will you be adjusting?
Some things to think about.
Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
True, but Tokico's valving is different then KYB's valving. Tokico tends to allow for a bit less rebound dampening, while KYB is just as firm on the compression stroke as on the rebound stroke. I feel thats what gives Tokico struts a better ride then KYB.
On the other hand Koni Yellows, which are also adjustable, only adjust rebound dampening, the compression dampening is fixed.
If you think about what the differance is you get a sense of how all the struts differ in ride. Koni valving gives you more of a planted down on the road feel, while Tokico gives a more like being on top of the road feel. Both have their pro's and con's. KYB simply dampens firmly in both directions, pretty basic ride control technology. Koni shocks are known for their excellent handling, (planted on the road) while Tokico I feel is known to provide a better ride while providing excellent handling as well. KYB's just ride very firm, which in turn gives you great handling. Koni's would be the choice for guys that auto-x their cars while Tokico is better for a daily driver just looking for added control while maintaining a nice ride.
If you play with an OEM Nissan strut from a Maxima, you'll find it has moderate compression dampening and fairly firm (slow) rebound dampening. That sort of puts it in a class by itself, then again they are tuned for the stock springs in our cars.
On the other hand Koni Yellows, which are also adjustable, only adjust rebound dampening, the compression dampening is fixed.
If you think about what the differance is you get a sense of how all the struts differ in ride. Koni valving gives you more of a planted down on the road feel, while Tokico gives a more like being on top of the road feel. Both have their pro's and con's. KYB simply dampens firmly in both directions, pretty basic ride control technology. Koni shocks are known for their excellent handling, (planted on the road) while Tokico I feel is known to provide a better ride while providing excellent handling as well. KYB's just ride very firm, which in turn gives you great handling. Koni's would be the choice for guys that auto-x their cars while Tokico is better for a daily driver just looking for added control while maintaining a nice ride.
If you play with an OEM Nissan strut from a Maxima, you'll find it has moderate compression dampening and fairly firm (slow) rebound dampening. That sort of puts it in a class by itself, then again they are tuned for the stock springs in our cars.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,617
From: Detroit Metro Area
Originally Posted by 00SEMAX19
since you wanna keep stock springs and want soft ride i think the tokico blues will be good since i read that the gr2's are slightly stiffer than the blues. for me they seem to get smoother each day than when i first got them installed...are the shocks being worn in right now?
I have the tokico illuminas and the H&R Spring setup in my 03 max, i got no complaints about them, i rarely have to adjust them though, i always leave them on the 3rd setting, i would definetly recommed them for the money.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
From: Morristown, NJ
Is it me??? I brought my car in to get the 02 sensors replaced and asked them to look at the front shocks/struts. They came back and said that if the ride is ok, then don't mess with them. I figured - ok - honest mechanic!
That was 1 week ago. Just this morning, I went to step on the brakes and I hear a 'thump thump thump...'. At first, It freaked me out because I found myself in the center of Newark, NJ (not a great area).
Could it be the struts? I mean - the timing is ironic!
Thanks!
That was 1 week ago. Just this morning, I went to step on the brakes and I hear a 'thump thump thump...'. At first, It freaked me out because I found myself in the center of Newark, NJ (not a great area).
Could it be the struts? I mean - the timing is ironic!
Thanks!
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by maxima_million
Is it me??? I brought my car in to get the 02 sensors replaced and asked them to look at the front shocks/struts. They came back and said that if the ride is ok, then don't mess with them. I figured - ok - honest mechanic!
That was 1 week ago. Just this morning, I went to step on the brakes and I hear a 'thump thump thump...'. At first, It freaked me out because I found myself in the center of Newark, NJ (not a great area).
Could it be the struts? I mean - the timing is ironic!
Thanks!
That was 1 week ago. Just this morning, I went to step on the brakes and I hear a 'thump thump thump...'. At first, It freaked me out because I found myself in the center of Newark, NJ (not a great area).
Could it be the struts? I mean - the timing is ironic!
Thanks!
Originally Posted by mustang-gt
hi im a newby here, i own a 2002 se auto and i run 14.4 1/4mile stock
are there any free mods I can do to get a little more power.
are there any free mods I can do to get a little more power.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 306
From: California
Originally Posted by lowincash
i got mine for $400 installed for all four. the labor price is $120 so i think i got mine for $280 or so.
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