I noticed my OEM stock struts or shock as you call it is not performing to par. It has 50k miles on the clock. I'm thinking about replacing them with new OEM but I'm thinking of other options. How good Koni's are? I always want to put Bilstien but they don't make them for Maxima, since they are the best out there since my E55 has OEM Bilstein shocks and they are pretty good for the money

 

Get ksport coilovers if you don't mind a rough ride, it eliminates 90% of the body roll the stock suspension has, braking acceleration, handling all improves once you install them.

 

OEM dont last too long 50k sounds about right to change them out.... i notice mine acting up at around 55 and then swapped out for TEIN coilover
the difference was amazing and it was well worth the money
im really happy how the car handles and just the look of it being lower makes it look alot more aggressive

 

Tokico Illuminas are pretty much the best strut you can buy for the 5th gen, but it's a matter of preference.

Are you looking for comfort or performance? That will lead you towards your decision of getting just struts, lowering springs/struts, or full-blown coilovers.

 

Yeah, I was just wondering this too! My Max is about to hit 106,000 miles and I'm on the stockers also. I can tell the ride isn't what is should be, but I haven't rode in a stock 00 Max with good struts and I can only compare it to my old 94 Max that was on Eibachs.

 

mine has 123k and still running on front stock struts without any leaks or issue. i am planning to go with H&R springs with the current stock struts. by the way i got monroe sensa trac in rear got 30k on them and they still running like charm. monroe sansa trac is a good brand with good struts/shocks also its cheaper than illuminas or kyb's. anyway i would continue with my front stock struts till they completely die. but my next choice would be KYB.

 

Ive almost got 100K on my ride and my OEM's are tip top - still going with new shocks and springs..going with Illuminas and still debating on progress or H&R springs..its all a matter of preference - Ive heard alot of good things about the KSPORT coilovers..those are just out of my price range..but Ive heard they are worth it..

 

How much trouble do you have with alignment, camber and/or uneven tire wear when your car is lowered?

 

Besides pushing down the car and watch the rebound, and leaking oil, how else can you if your struts are bad? I have 22,xxx miles but when I go over rough roads or bumps, it feels like the struts are not doing anything and the car itself is absorbing the force (steering get wobbily too).

 

I have something around 146K on my stock suspension, maybe I should do some upgrades, lol.

 

It all depends on the highways u are driving in -- I would be surprised if one can go beyond 100K on these stupid CA highways that get worse with every passing day!!!

 

I've only heard good things about ksport coilovers, but they are pretty pricey. Let me know which ones you get and tell me how are they are. I am going to be needing some here in a little while.

 

Recently replaced the original front struts/rear shocks on my 01 SE with Tokico HPs (Blues). Perceptible difference in ride (stiffer) and handling (better), but since the original struts were shot it's hard to tell how superior as anything would have been an improvement. I wanted the Illumina/Eibach combo but other priorities (kid's braces, omigod)....

Cost was 363 with shipping for struts/shocks, which is a decent if not excellent price. Price for Illuminas would have been around 500, price for Koni Sport Adjustables about 550. If you don't do it yourself, installation will run from 300 to 400 for all four corners (including four wheel alignment, which is required after you get struts/shocks and/or springs installed).

From what I understand - and there's a LOT of different strongly held opinions out there -

If cost is no object and decent compromise between ride and handling is your objective, try the Illumina/Eibach combo. If all out performance is what you want and you don't mind a ride like a buckboard wagon, go with coilovers. If cost is an object and you want somewhat improved handling for not a whole lot of money, get the Tokico HPs. Also check the "official suspension thread" - all kinds of good stuff on different struts/shocks, springs, sway bars, installation, etc etc.

 

I think it all depends...on alot of differnet variables.
Not every person needs a knee replacement at a specific age (milage).

my car had 92k on it when I replaced the struts and put lower springs on it.

The OEM struts were not completely shot but definitly not doing the job of new OEM or aftermarket struts.

I am pretty sure most people can get close to 100k on struts as long as your not 4x4ing your car.

 

If you're feeling the rear end hop and skip on on curves, slow down until you get new dampers (struts). That's a serious sign. My car does this and it's terrible.

A better way to assess rebound is to watch your car on the highway. Sometimes you'll hit a dip in the road (not a pothole) and vehicles with blown dampers will rise and fall on their suspensions for several cycles after the disturbance (dip). I had an '83 F 150 that used to gently rise and fall for a mile after hitting a dip on I95 in Philadelphia, but that's an extreme case.

 

HA,HA..gotta love East coast roadways..I am originally from San Jose, CA.
The first time my family came to visit me in Philly they all b1tched about the road conditions..I bet they would $h1t if they ever went to NY, city.

 

There is no fixed mileage for that. If they are bad, replace em. It can happen at 50k it can happen at 150k.

 

204,000 98 GLE on originals.
just traded it in.
owes me nothing.

 

it really really depends on how you go over speed bumps, and curves, if you are a bad driver, but if you rush the speed bumps then your struts will go faster, another thing is that if you have a trunk full of **** (stuff) then your struts are gonna go faster, also if you are overweight aka fat as hell then yeah you get the picture...


how is the camber on the car after you drop it hrmm??!?

 

funny you say, since when I turn, i noticed the rear start to hop somewhat, and gosh roads in Albuquerque are pretty rough, a lot of bumpy pavement and bad patches of road, my shocks takes too much jarring the car. After reading everyone's post, I think i'm going to get it replace on all fours, since my shocks are probably shot since there aren't any sign of leaks or rebound but I know the shock is not up to par anymore as I remember the day I bought her brand new.

 

My rears went at 51k... Replaced all 4 with Blues... Really can't tell about the diff since my rears were shot, but it felt a million times better after the change. I actually got all for blues for $295 (new) shipped from eBay. Then my mechanic charged me $150 to change em out.

 

I've got 85k on my stockers so far. Definitely notice the "hop" in the rear end, especially in a hard corner with any kind of bump in it. Kind of gives you that "oh sh**" feeling when your not expecting it. Always assumed it had to do with the solid rear axle. Will a set of quality shocks eliminate that, or just help out a little?

 

Darn good price for both, though I hope he did the four wheel alignment - if he said it didn't need it, he was wrong. As far as how long they last....it all depends on how you drive, local road conditions etc etc etc. If you live in Florida where they have good roads (thanks to all the tourist gas taxes), good weather and you don't drive too hard, you could get 150K easy. If you live where I live where the weather is funky and the chuckholes are large enough to serve as habitat for channel catfish, well.....100K probably at the outside. People DO wait too long to get it done (like me).

 

Our cars don't need 4 wheel alignment, we have a solid rear beam in the back. And I see you are from Indy bluesky2702, good to see another in Indiana.

 

If I go over large dips slowly, I hear a pop from the front driver side. What is that?

Today I went to lunch with a friend who is a little large. When he got in, there was a pop on the passenger side.