Iceman420

Expect to pay around $100.00 - $150.00 a corner.

milek

Can somebody, who tried them booth, tell me the difference between:
TOKICO ILLUMINA SHOCKS (beside level settings possibility) and
KYB 4 GR-2 STRUTS SHOCKS
(what level settings on TOKICO gives feeling of KYB).
What would one suggest for comfort ride in first place?
Thanks!

just bob

'02 SE. I recently put on Illuminas and H+R's and find the ride very nice. Before doing the replacement, I was experiencing "bottoming out" with only two people in the car, rear end only. The springs and shocks have stopped this, but with the drop and the extra stereo stuff in the truck, I think I have now blown two struts in the rear. One replaced 1 week ago and a new spot discovered in the driveway this past week. What I would like to do is find another rear spring set for the car. Does anyone know of a taller spring from a different car, a different spring that can handle another 2 hundred pounds, or both. I knew of a guy that put a V8 into an RX7 and used, I think, Thunderbird springs in the front end to support the extra weight. Same diameter, could handle the weight, not sure about the height of the spring. Factory springs from Nissan are two soft so I do not think using the factory spring is an option. I am not sure I want to mess with coilovers. I am thinking it will only handle the same weight as the coils. Maybe using coilovers with springs if that is even possible or maybe way too stiff. Does anyone have any knowledge on this?

AlpineGt66

iTrader: (8)

why don't you just get a different size rear tire?

playboi21617

[ quote=HotRod66;4928044]I am running 20's on my 2002 SE Max and I am looking to do some supension work on it. Do anyone know if I will have any problems with scubbing if I lower it.[/quote]

what up man i am on 20s also i am going go with the eibach/illuminas i heard they are a real good set up. but i am just going to lower the front because the rear is already close to the back tire and the front has a lot fender space.plus it will look uneven.

just bob

I do not like that option. New wheels and tires will be another $800. There should be some springs out there that would allow for the increased weight, saving me some money.

andy2248

iTrader: (1)

Well did alot of research around the forums and other places and could not find the answer I was looking for. Two weeks ago I had my rear struts replaced. Presently I hear a clunking sound when i hit bumps and creeking sound on my rear passenger side. I have read that the clunking could be coming from the control arm. I am getting tired if hearing this sound when i hit bumps. The sound is even worse when some on is sitting in the back seat on the passenger side. Any more input would be appreciated.

impact'sa33

has anyone tried the megan racing springs on their car? how do they ride, sit, stability that kind of thing

DrKlop

iTrader: (3)

Do you have a RSB? I had a similar problem a while ago, it turned out to be the RSB bracket hitting the rear subframe.

Also, check if the springs are sitting correctly in the struts, and make sure that all those nuts are nice and tight.

BTW, since the clunking started after the struts were replaced, why not have the shop do the troubleshooting?

Deckdout2

iTrader: (151)

Anyone try mixing springs? I'm looking at S-Techs front and Progress rear. What are your thoughts? Good and bad welcomed.

Deckdout2

iTrader: (151)

Confirmed the answer I was looking for, but more thoughts are welcomed.

babyboyws6

iTrader: (1)

i was wondering the same

babyboyws6

iTrader: (1)

i was hooked on coilovers for a while but realize that they arent the best choice when it comes to daily driving in NY. I think any suspension with both FSB and RSB will improve dramtically. Since im a new york driver i think im going with the progress, the cold weather up here is enough to make our cars feel like the school bus's of 15 years ago if i ran coilovers during winter time.

also s-tech you tend to run into more long run issues since the drop is so stressful.
if i only lived in florida and were rich i would run airride suspension on a play maxima... **sigh.... dreams.... dreams...**

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

Today, I just installed new H&Rs on Illuminas with the setting at 3F and 3R. The ride is absolutely awesome! Great handling and response. What an upgrade from the stock suspension. In order to save some money I did the work myself. It took about 5 hours. First time doing struts. The rears were a ..tch. Had to figure out the spring compressor. Anyway, happy with everything.

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

Just ordered new H&R's today.
Now all I have to decide is, keep the Illuminas, or go back to OEM SE Struts?!?!?
Decisions - decisions!!!

Anybody other than Housecor running H&R's with OEM struts?? He seems to like it alot. I'm interested in a more plush ride than my current progress/illumina setup.

gr

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Tune the Illuminas down to around 2-3 and they'll be fine with H&Rs. You can even go to 1, but depending on how the spring rate of the H&R matches with the damping setting at 1, it may be bouncy.

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

YOu again PM?!?! j/k

I'm just torn because while I loves me some Illuminas, I'm really ready to go back to a smoother ride.
Honestly - I know the illumas would be great, but I don't want to have to tear the susp. apart again, and wish for something smoother. My OEM's only have 15k on them.....so I figure they're still fresh.

As of now - I'm leaning towards putting the OEM's back on, and selling the illuminas and progress springs. Only 45k miles on both! (end: shameless plug)
gr

Jess

iTrader: (33)

^
Haha you can just send them my way then. Been looking for a set.

Went from H&R to a combination of coilovers and H&R. Stiff ride, a little noisy but good control. I'll probrably be making the switch back to H&R soon.

playboi21617

i just bought my illumimas with H&Rs going to get them installed soon and i cant wait.

ShIft_uR FacE

iTrader: (4)

Has anyone installed S-techs on stock struts and survived? I live in Miami and the roads are pretty smooth for the most part but i dont wanna waste my time installing them if im just gonna have to replace the struts after a week lol

Also, most people say htech are too soft in the front. Progress springs seem to have the same spring rate...are they soft as well?

WhoDatBuuL

iTrader: (13)

Yo i was about to purchased http://www.autocarparts.com/part/262/530/.but i heard Illumina has a REAL stiff handling is that true???

essential1

iTrader: (5)

Only if you want them to be. Illuminas are adjustable. Start with 3F/3R. Drive around. If it's too harsh for you, Dial lower. Too soft, dial higher.

WhoDatBuuL

iTrader: (13)

aight thanx

SLPMAXDuP

How much of a difference would lowering springs make without shocks, or vice versa, and which should be the first investment?

Iceman420

Save up and do them at the same time. Otherwise you are paying to have the work done twice.

'02_EMILBUS

iTrader: (3)

get coilovers! Full adjustability!

Jess

iTrader: (33)

Really should be both. I went with H&R and stock struts, but they are a mild drop. Still you can risk a blown strut so...to be safe both at the same time.

Or since it's $400 for Illuminas + $200 for springs + $200 for install.

You could always go with coilovers for full adjust ability of ride height and ride comfort.

WhoDatBuuL

iTrader: (13)

but whats a good brand of coilovers ???

'02_EMILBUS

iTrader: (3)

Tein or JIC there is a cost difference between coilovers though!

bmech211

Greetings all.

Well I just purchased an Infinti I30 and have already begun researching available mods, of course first priority being tightening up this suspension. The car is extremely comfortable but man this thing floats around like a Cadillac Brougham. I've never been a proponent of driving cars with such a loose suspension and frankly, knowing my driving style, it makes me a tad bit nervous. Let's not even mention that HORRIBLE wheel gap!!

If you look at most european vehicles on the market today (ie. BMW, Mercedes, etc.) they have a very fluid and even stance and the wheels themselves are also pretty flush with the fenders. This is the look I'm after with the I30, as well as functionally tightening this thing up.

Thanks to some pretty good reviews and opinions here I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to a select few.

Anyway, to the point of my first post! Being an aircraft mechanic for nearly 15 years it's quite natural to also be an avid DIY'er when it comes to working on my cars. Every car I've owned I did all my own work (Supra TT, Nissan 350Z, Honda Accord, BMW 320is, Mercedes Kompressor, BMW 540; wifes old cars).

During my searching I've run across a few members DIY pages and threads and they have really been beneficial in helping me get a a grasp on what it takes to troubleshoot and work on this car. Thanks in advance to you all who put in the effort. It really DOES come in handy. So, on that note I wanted to contribute a few things that I haven't run across. I hope these reference diagrams can eventually be of some help to anyone who needs to refer to them. Feel free to "save as" if need be.

I really wanted to start a new thread but seeing as how this is my 1st post that was a no-go. Non-the-less hopefully in the future it can be consolidated to one thread as I think it'll be nice to have some referenece diagrams available here.


FRONT SUSPENSION



REAR SUSPENSION



REAR SUSPENSION; ASSEMBLED (somewhat)



FRONT WHEEL HUB



REAR WHEEL HUB

maximo018

iTrader: (6)

Supprise! Supprise! My coilovers came in yesterday. They look great! JIC A33FLT-A1s

Jess

iTrader: (33)

Let us know how they ride I will probrably be going with JIC A2s, but if these ride well I may get em instead. Also tell us what kind of tires/size you're riding on since that plays a roll in comfort too.

SLPMAXDuP

Whats the lowest you guy's have dropped with out scraping on speedbumps and such? I need to know what springs to get, i just want a subtle drop.

maxdriver10

I'm looking for a .5 incch drop at the front wheels and a .25 inch drop at the rear wheels...any idea on a decent setup that wont run me more than $1500....preferably closer to $1200 but i'm willing to spend $1500

scarface4522

iTrader: (33)

im just looking for some advice. im gettin 19x8.5 rims and i also wanted to get new struts and some lowering springs. what do you guys suggest is the best setup for a decent ride,nice even drop and avoiding bending my rims.i got a 02 se. thanks

hi-tek22

iTrader: (4)

Quick Question, Ive got H&R's and Illumina's

How springy should the rear be when set to 5. Ive got my setup as 5/5, i do have a FSTB. Im concerned because I know that with the rears, THE 5 doesn't sit EXACTLY ON 5, its just about on the line, and im wondering if ive been driving around with 5/4 instead, I can tell the rear is a little more springy when i press down on it, and it bounces back, as opposed to the front,

Also if i adjust the in a 360 degree circle style, will that damage any internal components, as in........lets say i twist from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and continue twisting BACK to 1, in the same direction...instead of dialing down, from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1?

Thanks if you can understand the last part

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

You shouldn't have to reverse order.
You should be able to go in a 360 deg pattern....1-2-3-4-5 > 1-2-3-4-5
I don't think it makes a difference.
What I am concerned about is that your rear is "springy" and your front isn't!?
5 should be firm - no question.
I have a suspicion you THINK your rear is set on 5, but in fact, it's somewhere else, like a lower setting.
Illuminas SPECIFICALLY say, NOT to set the detents BETWEEN CLICKS.
There needs to be positive engagement of the detent between valve settings.

I'm not sure how you can find "zero", but it sounds to me like you aren't where you THINK you are on your presets.

gr

hi-tek22

iTrader: (4)

ok thanks for clearing that up....but also, when I set the dials initially, I know I felt it "click" into place however...when I go over bumps and dips, I can feel how firm the rear is, as opposed to the floaty GLE suspension.....granted I've got 2 amps, and two alpine type R's in my trunk.....maybe its just me.....the car rides great, but when I push down on the rear, it gives a little not actually springy....

UPDATE: So i changed my suspension from 5/5 to to 2/2, and its SOFT AS HELL, which leads me to believe that maybe its all in my mind, as i can really feel how spongy and soft it is, on 2/2

MaxinO2

iTrader: (1)

OK, I am looking to get a new suspension kit for my 02 Max, im looking to spending $300 - $700.. I have 18" rims and would like to 1-2 inch drop all around.. First of all do I need adjustable shocks or coilovers or can i do without them and not run into problems? I don't want to spend that much money if i don't have to, does anyone have any suggestions.. i was thinking about getting H&R sport springs with Tokico shocks/struts..

SLPMAXDuP

One question, whats the deal with coilovers? vs shocks n springs?