so i've decided to put shocks and struts on the 02. i've decided to go with illuminas and i'm torn between h&r and eibachs. i don't want to turn this thread into another "what do you think is the best..." but i do want to know if there is anything (as i have never replaced the shocks and struts on any car before) that i should replace, or must replace, when doing this job. i will probably end up having a trusted shop do the work, but would like to know what i'm getting into, as far as...
1. should i buy and install camber plates?
2. what should my camber/ toe be set to? (this is specifically for those who have installed illuminas/ h&r or illuminas/ eibachs.) and yes, i know that anything more than neg 1 degree will result in excess tire wear, which i know i don't want.
3. what do helper springs do, and do i need them?
4. how do i correctly adjust each corner to make sure that the springs/ shocks are all set to optimum performace?

i do like the look of a lowered car, but i also want it to perform much better than the current (stock). i've read the sticky on suspensions, but i'm worried that i'll have everthing taken apart and realize that i need something i don't have, or it will cause other parts to wear quicker, which i also don't want.
thanks a lot, guys.

 

you need the springs..whichever you prefer and the illuminas... nothing else....

 

1) No you don't, both Eibach and H&R have a mild drop so your camber stays withing specs.

2)Camber can not be adjusted on our cars. Toe should be adjusted depending on your driving style. Toe-in improves high speed stability. Toe-out improves the turn-in (front wheel grip at corner entry) Check out my thread about toe for more details: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=487543

BTW, I'd say more than 1.5 - 1.6 degrees or negative camber results in abnormal tire wear, -1 is still fine, IMO.

With Eibachs you will probably have 0.7 -.08 degrees of negative camber. (but don't quote me on that)

3) No you don't need helper springs, you can use them only with coilovers. Here's some more info about helper springs: http://e30m3performance.com/tech_art...ings/index.htm

4) The only thing that you can adjust with a shock/spring combo is the shock stiffness, and the basic idea is to make your shock dumping match your spring rate. Since both H&R and Eibach are progressive there is no correct setting. Play around with them try every setting and you'll find the right setting for your driving style. (I'll let H&R and Eibach owners chime in to tell what setting they like.)

You don't have to change any other components when you are installing lowering springs but it's probably a good idea to replace strut bearings as preventive maintenance because they are very cheap. ($7 a piece from DaveB) You might also need to replace your strut mounts, but if you don't hear any noises coming from your suspension and your car has less than, I'd say, 120k miles your original mounts are most likely fine.

I would also recommend to cut the bump stops to keep adequate suspension travel. Here's some more info on this: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....&highlight=cut

Hope this helps..