2000 Maxima SE New Struts - Rear end now very loose
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
From: Mamaroneck, NY
2000 Maxima SE New Struts - Rear end now very loose
I just replaced my stock struts with Tokico Blues at the 135k mark and it now feels like the back end is all over the place. The struts were new (from Ebay) and installed at Pep Boys (I just don't have to tools or space to do it myself living in an apartment) who said the stock '00 SE springs were fine and didn't need replacing.
When I picked up the car, I noticed more clearance between the front tire and the wheel well, but figured what the hell, new struts may ride higher? The back looked fine.
The first thing I noticed was that when turning, the front felt much more stable (good) than before the replacement, but the rear end is very loose. I also noticed a knocking from the right rear wheel over bumps and the wobbly feel you get from a blown strut anytime I hit a bump. True to form, the back end moves much more when pressed down on than when I had the stock struts last week.
So any thoughts? Have them check the strut mounts? Like I said, they're brand new, but way too loose for this to be normal.
When I picked up the car, I noticed more clearance between the front tire and the wheel well, but figured what the hell, new struts may ride higher? The back looked fine.
The first thing I noticed was that when turning, the front felt much more stable (good) than before the replacement, but the rear end is very loose. I also noticed a knocking from the right rear wheel over bumps and the wobbly feel you get from a blown strut anytime I hit a bump. True to form, the back end moves much more when pressed down on than when I had the stock struts last week.
So any thoughts? Have them check the strut mounts? Like I said, they're brand new, but way too loose for this to be normal.
I just replaced my stock struts with Tokico Blues at the 135k mark and it now feels like the back end is all over the place. The struts were new (from Ebay) and installed at Pep Boys (I just don't have to tools or space to do it myself living in an apartment) who said the stock '00 SE springs were fine and didn't need replacing.
When I picked up the car, I noticed more clearance between the front tire and the wheel well, but figured what the hell, new struts may ride higher? The back looked fine.
The first thing I noticed was that when turning, the front felt much more stable (good) than before the replacement, but the rear end is very loose. I also noticed a knocking from the right rear wheel over bumps and the wobbly feel you get from a blown strut anytime I hit a bump. True to form, the back end moves much more when pressed down on than when I had the stock struts last week.
So any thoughts? Have them check the strut mounts? Like I said, they're brand new, but way too loose for this to be normal.
When I picked up the car, I noticed more clearance between the front tire and the wheel well, but figured what the hell, new struts may ride higher? The back looked fine.
The first thing I noticed was that when turning, the front felt much more stable (good) than before the replacement, but the rear end is very loose. I also noticed a knocking from the right rear wheel over bumps and the wobbly feel you get from a blown strut anytime I hit a bump. True to form, the back end moves much more when pressed down on than when I had the stock struts last week.
So any thoughts? Have them check the strut mounts? Like I said, they're brand new, but way too loose for this to be normal.
Yes take it back. When I had my blues installed I also noticed that when you pushed down on the back of the car it wasn't as stiff, but I not having any problems at all. Love my blues on stock springs
Agree, take it back....I have blues and Eibachs, feels firm and responsive. No problems for over year and a half now, none expected
I have never known anyone to be happy with work done at Pepboys. They always seem to mess something up, personally have never gone there tho.
Just like everyone said go back there ASAP
Just like everyone said go back there ASAP
Last edited by 01SilverMaxima; Dec 7, 2007 at 08:43 PM.
Any updates? What did Pepboys say?
I had the same impression with the blues. Kinda soft in the back.
-Anthony
I had the same impression with the blues. Kinda soft in the back.
-Anthony
I just replaced my stock struts with Tokico Blues at the 135k mark and it now feels like the back end is all over the place. The struts were new (from Ebay) and installed at Pep Boys (I just don't have to tools or space to do it myself living in an apartment) who said the stock '00 SE springs were fine and didn't need replacing.
When I picked up the car, I noticed more clearance between the front tire and the wheel well, but figured what the hell, new struts may ride higher? The back looked fine.
The first thing I noticed was that when turning, the front felt much more stable (good) than before the replacement, but the rear end is very loose. I also noticed a knocking from the right rear wheel over bumps and the wobbly feel you get from a blown strut anytime I hit a bump. True to form, the back end moves much more when pressed down on than when I had the stock struts last week.
So any thoughts? Have them check the strut mounts? Like I said, they're brand new, but way too loose for this to be normal.
When I picked up the car, I noticed more clearance between the front tire and the wheel well, but figured what the hell, new struts may ride higher? The back looked fine.
The first thing I noticed was that when turning, the front felt much more stable (good) than before the replacement, but the rear end is very loose. I also noticed a knocking from the right rear wheel over bumps and the wobbly feel you get from a blown strut anytime I hit a bump. True to form, the back end moves much more when pressed down on than when I had the stock struts last week.
So any thoughts? Have them check the strut mounts? Like I said, they're brand new, but way too loose for this to be normal.
blues are not soft in the back. first few days before mine blew, the ride was nice and firm, handling was great and no more rear sway when i hit bumps.
a week later the rears blew up for some reason, so next tuesday i am getting the replacement ones from the seller.
a week later the rears blew up for some reason, so next tuesday i am getting the replacement ones from the seller.
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
From: Mamaroneck, NY
Loose ride update
Apologies for not updating sooner: Took car to Pep Boys and sure enough, one of the struts was blown. Appears the strut was either blown when it arrived, or was installed in such a way that they blew it because the replacement (another blue) eliminated the disturbingly loose feel.
That said, with 4 new functional Tokico Blues, the ride feels looser than before I replaced them in every instance but turns. Its very odd, the car doesn't lean as much in turns, but I bounce around over bumps like I'm driving a mid-80's Buick. Checked springs and was told they are in fine shape.
Wouldn't recommend Blues as replacements under any circumstance.
That said, with 4 new functional Tokico Blues, the ride feels looser than before I replaced them in every instance but turns. Its very odd, the car doesn't lean as much in turns, but I bounce around over bumps like I'm driving a mid-80's Buick. Checked springs and was told they are in fine shape.
Wouldn't recommend Blues as replacements under any circumstance.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,898
From: Philadelphia, PA
Apologies for not updating sooner: Took car to Pep Boys and sure enough, one of the struts was blown. Appears the strut was either blown when it arrived, or was installed in such a way that they blew it because the replacement (another blue) eliminated the disturbingly loose feel.
That said, with 4 new functional Tokico Blues, the ride feels looser than before I replaced them in every instance but turns. Its very odd, the car doesn't lean as much in turns, but I bounce around over bumps like I'm driving a mid-80's Buick. Checked springs and was told they are in fine shape.
Wouldn't recommend Blues as replacements under any circumstance.
That said, with 4 new functional Tokico Blues, the ride feels looser than before I replaced them in every instance but turns. Its very odd, the car doesn't lean as much in turns, but I bounce around over bumps like I'm driving a mid-80's Buick. Checked springs and was told they are in fine shape.
Wouldn't recommend Blues as replacements under any circumstance.
I'm running Tokico Blues (from ebay) on stock springs and I love it, none of the floatiness or softness you're experiencing. Something's wrong with your install...
Check that the springs are seated correctly in the bottom of the strut and retorque the nuts. If the strut nuts are not torqued correctly, that's a good indication that Pep Boys did a crappy install job.
Check that the springs are seated correctly in the bottom of the strut and retorque the nuts. If the strut nuts are not torqued correctly, that's a good indication that Pep Boys did a crappy install job.
I love my blues, but I think I understand what he's saying. Stock nissan shocks in the rear seem to be a little stiffer then the blues. I know when i go over speed bumps the back doesn't bang down as hard as it did with the stock shocks and when i push down on the back of the car it pushes a little easier with the blues........I'd suggest just replacing the rears with stock nissan shocks
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