I need to change my shocks, springs and axles. is this a DIY sort of task? I have been working on cars for a long time so have the experience but not sure what kind of tools I need beyond the basics. I have air tools now, jacks, etc.

 

It depends on who you ask. I would say DIY. I did mine on my last Max, it took me a couple of days, because I had never done suspension work. But its not really hard. Plus it's a lot more rewarding.

So yes, if you've been wokring on cars for a long time and have the tools, definitely go for it. Any tools that you don't have, you can usually rent from your local auto parts store. Heck when I did mine, I didn't have any air tools at all. That's part of the reason it took me so long.

 

You can do it. You will need a spring compressor which you can borrow for free from most parts houses.

 

if i did it anyone can. doing the work isn't hard, just time consuming like gjohnson said. be sure that you do rent a spring compressor, that was the one mistake i made. it took a lot longer than it should of without the compressor because you need a few strong people to help without the proper tools. don't expect to be done in an hour or two, infact give yourself 2 or 3 days, even though it only took me about 11 or so hours to do it.

 

With a spring compressor and a friend, it can be done in 4 hours. I did it in 3 hours and 45min and that was w/o air tools, but I did get the spring compressor

 

everything is a DIY task....if you're willing to read how-tos carefully, buy the tools you need, and get a little dirty and frustrated the first time.

Springs/struts is child's play.

 

So True!!!!! It took me 2 days the first time, because I was doing it after work each night and because I had never done any car work before. (That and I put one of the struts back together backwards and had to remove the strut again and reasemble.)

Now that I've torn into mutiple suspension tasks on different vehicles, I could knock out my 5th gen in no time.

 

+1

If you've done work on cars before you should know that suspension in general is pretty much cake.

 

Springs/struts is easy to do yourself. an extra set of hands helps

 

def. diy...if you've been working on cars for a long time you should know this...
as stated above the right tools, patience, and reading will take you a long way..

i love cake

 

Most of the comments relate to struts/spring - what about axles? OP wants to do both.....

 

axles are a pain in the azz. especially if it's sitting in your garage on jack stands, or something similar.
i have done suspension myself, and would do it again. but i would never recommend anyone to do the axles by themselves, unless they have a lift, and all the proper equipment.
this is my personal opinion, from personal experience. ymmv.

 

I did the axles on my old 92' SE. They weren't that bad to do, except for the fact that there were a few bolts that were really hard to get to. My problem was the stupid auto parts store (Auto Zone) gave me the wrong axle twice! It sure was fun driving back and forth to them. Then they tell me they don't have the one I need in stock so I had to put the old axle back in while I waited 3 days for the new one to come in. That's what I deserve though for using Auto Zone.

 

Suspension is a definite DIY. Axles, however, IMO should be left to someone with more experience since it's more involved.

Took me a whole day to swap suspension..the rear is a farkin bish to get done. Big people ain't made to crawl in that little trunk space.

 

What about ball joints and tie rods? They should probably be done too and while you've got everything out...(not saying you specifically, maybe but I mean if a higher mileage car is already doing springs/struts) You should probably get an alignment after all that right?

 

Anytime you replace spring or struts it highly recommended that you have an alignment!

 

I'm gonna have to disagree here, if you can handle the struts/springs then you can handle the axles no problem IMO, asides from the basics you just need a 36mm socket and a huge cheater pipe (stick a large chisel or screwdriver in the rotor vents to stop from spinning). The passanger side axle is a biatch sometimes though, I've found it's usually much easier to undo the 3 hidden 14mm bolts for the whole bearing halfshaft assembly and then split it out of the car (sledgehammer comes in handy here, but prolly not required since you live in florida and it's only 7 y/o). Good luck, like irish44j said, anythings possible.

 

Wait, I lied, I forgot I'm in the 5th gen forum, I think the axle nut is smaller than 36mm?? everything else still applies though

 

It is not a difficult job, however, it should not be approached casually. There is enough energy in the springs to kill you! That being said, get a good spring compressor and go get dirty, just make sure that the strut & spring aren't pointed at anyone/anything when you take the nut off the cap....e.g. don't sit on the floor with the strut between your legs....

 

Unless you don't want kids. Then in that case have at it.....

 

I've put tein on the 2 maximas I've owned before this one. The '97 was sooo much easier than my '01. However, both were done with air tools and a lift so they job wasn't too bad. The hardest/longest part is compressing the damn stock springs. I would say go for it!

 

make sure to have your NOS energy drink when you do springs and struts

 

dam thanks guys. Yea i was sure I could do struts and springs, but I've been under the car and the axles look like pain in the @ss.

I just want to know ahead of time what weird tools I will need, the closest auto part is 25min from me so I hate to start a job and I dont have the **** I need to finish it.

so I got spring compressor, 36MM axle nut socket and sledgehammer?

oh and the energy drink......

 

right...I meant that it is relatively easy and straightforward. It should go without saying that safety precautions should always be taken when doing anything on a vehicle...jack stands, eye protection, etc...

 

one of the best pics I've ever taken, FTMFW!

 

suspension is really easy. I've probably installed over 20 suspensions on a maxima. With some help i got done in 2 hrs.

i remember one time evilyak(ex 3rd gen owner) and I installed spring/strut combo in 1 hr.

 

With air tools it can take as low as 15-20 minutes per side but since it's your first time, take your time and if you do it in half day it's good otherwise keep your day job . Lol

I think there is only 6 bolts to remove each side in the front and 5 in the back.

 

First time I changed the suspension was back in my 94 Camry... Just changed the struts with air tools, so it took about a day and a half. I say, if you assemble spring/strut off the car and buy new rubber mounts/gaskets, then you could swap them out fairly fast. Otherwise, it'll take time to compress/uncompress the springs and change out the rubber (if you choose to do so).

 

sledgehammer isn't really required, energy drink is, and someone needs to confirm this but I thought the 5th gen used a smaller axle nut than the 4th gen 36mm. to the guy who said compressing springs is dangerous, def. not childs play if it can kill you Another handy thing to have is a small propane tourch, heating up each of the two nuts on the strut knuckle makes it easier.