5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

strut and shock question on dropped ride

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 06:34 AM
  #1  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
strut and shock question on dropped ride

ok so im not sure if it goes in the susp thread or here since its a 5.5. gen
My question is simple. I have sprint springs which droppedmy ride about 1.5 inches. now im looking for shocks and struts since the stockers seem to be saying bye bye. Im looking to not spend a lot of money and dont need adjustable since im street drivedn no track time. I have gone thru the stickies and come up to the following

blues- stock replacements and wont handle the drop
agx and illiuminas to pricey and are adj

here is my delima- ive read ya's and na's on gr2s. half say good ride with a lowered car and others say they are stock replacements and wont handle the drop. these are the ones im contimplating but dont want something that will not last 6 months let alone a couple years.

any advice welcome
thanks
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 08:50 AM
  #2  
mist max2000's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,071
had gr2's within 6 months they got noticable worse..hope that helped i was dropped on vogtland
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 09:11 AM
  #3  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
what is a fairly cheap replacement for the sprint springs lowered 1.5 - 1.8 inches. again dont care about the track or asjustability just street driving. does anyone know of a good reputuable site thats cheap
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 09:40 AM
  #4  
vball_max's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,799
From: North Shore, MA
Originally Posted by jeff5347
what is a fairly cheap replacement for the sprint springs lowered 1.5 - 1.8 inches. again dont care about the track or asjustability just street driving. does anyone know of a good reputuable site thats cheap
I got these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...spagenameZWDVW

I made an offer of $275 and he accepted. I have seen a few people on here buy from him.

I am on stock springs and I like them. From what I have read on here, they are supposed to handle lowered springs better than stock struts.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 09:43 AM
  #5  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
I had GR-2s on s-techs (I think they are 2.2 rear and 1.8 front??) and they lasted a long time. Probably had 40K on them when I sold the car and were still good...
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
boondoxmax's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,415
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by kgallerie
I got these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...spagenameZWDVW

I made an offer of $275 and he accepted. I have seen a few people on here buy from him.

I am on stock springs and I like them. From what I have read on here, they are supposed to handle lowered springs better than stock struts.
Hp suck in the rear. They are way to soft back there. Stay away from HP and just get OEM. I really don't understand how HP can handle lowering springs.....
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:15 PM
  #7  
maximadave's Avatar
detailerdaveb@gmail.com
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,242
From: Portland, OR
Save up and go with the Illuminas.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:15 PM
  #8  
vball_max's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,799
From: North Shore, MA
Originally Posted by boondoxmax
Hp suck in the rear. They are way to soft back there. Stay away from HP and just get OEM. I really don't understand how HP can handle lowering springs.....
Now you got me confused......

quoted from your cardomain page..... "tokico hp shocks very good replacement for stock shocks"

and now you are saying they suck? Mine have been fine in the back although i heard a few people mention that they think they are a liitle floaty back there.....i havent experienced this at all.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 03:18 PM
  #9  
Shinjiduo's Avatar
Maxima Grounding Kit Spec
iTrader: (106)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,412
From: Valrico, FL
I don't know what kind of question this is? Do you really have a choice other than to go to adjustables? I sure you have heard that the HP's are great for stockers but can be a little soft and bouncy for lowering springs. Illumina's, Koni's and AGX's can allow you adjust to the spring rate of the spring you are using but, I believe none of the aforementioned springs are warrantied beyond a 1.5 inch drop. I would say either go with GR-2's which you can get on ebay for 200 to 250 or get spring with a milder drop and get the hp's. In fact if I am not mistaken if you go to www.performancepeddler.com and sign in under the name maxima then search for ILK298 (maybe ILK 298) they sell a tokico illumina suspension kit complete with all four struts/shocks along with lowering springs (-1.25f/-1.00r) for 477 shipped. This will free you from having a drop that you will never be able to find reliable (and inexpensive) shocks for and you get illuminas to boot for about as cheap of a price as you are ever going to get for a complete set up on a 5th Gen Max.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 03:19 PM
  #10  
Shinjiduo's Avatar
Maxima Grounding Kit Spec
iTrader: (106)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,412
From: Valrico, FL
Oh also if you mention them on the org that is another 10 dollars off so you get the whole sha'bang for 467 shipped.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 03:23 PM
  #11  
Shinjiduo's Avatar
Maxima Grounding Kit Spec
iTrader: (106)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,412
From: Valrico, FL
Or if you want the ultimate is cheap drop set when you search input HPK339 instead that will give you the HP lower spring kit that comes in at 326 shipped if you mention www.performancepeddler.com on the org.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 08:12 PM
  #12  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
Originally Posted by Weeble1
I had GR-2s on s-techs (I think they are 2.2 rear and 1.8 front??) and they lasted a long time. Probably had 40K on them when I sold the car and were still good...
how was the ride? was it harsh or just alittle stiffer. see my problem is i have the sprints with stock shocks and struts. on nice rodes its fine, no complaints. but i live in mass so the roads and hi ways suck hardcore. i live near hiway 290 and there is a ton of road work and when i hit bumps most cars would take wit hsome ease my max hammers the bumps. or if there are long ups and downs the rear end feels very uncontrolled as it gets to alsmost bottom out and jumps up real high. floaty if you will. i need something that can control the spring. not the spring control the shock.
were you happy with the gr2s...?
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 08:21 PM
  #13  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Originally Posted by jeff5347
how was the ride? was it harsh or just alittle stiffer. see my problem is i have the sprints with stock shocks and struts. on nice rodes its fine, no complaints. but i live in mass so the roads and hi ways suck hardcore. i live near hiway 290 and there is a ton of road work and when i hit bumps most cars would take wit hsome ease my max hammers the bumps. or if there are long ups and downs the rear end feels very uncontrolled as it gets to alsmost bottom out and jumps up real high. floaty if you will. i need something that can control the spring. not the spring control the shock.
were you happy with the gr2s...?
I was happy with the gr2s but not with the s-techs. The Gr-2s were great but now I have illuminas on my max and they are 10 times better. I would suggest AGX or Illumina 100%. Just the ability to adjust makes all the difference in the world. My set up is H-Tech and illuminas and the ride is amazimg with great reaction and handling.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 09:29 PM
  #14  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
agx or illuminas would be nice but right now or anytime are too pricey for me. i am just looking for something that is better than what i have and gives a better ride. i saw on ebay all four gr2s for 300. were the gr2s better than the factory setup. were they comfortable or harsh.
Old Jun 18, 2008 | 10:35 PM
  #15  
CMax03's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,587
From: Houston, Tx
First of all AGX don't exist for the Gen 5 or 5.5( Except Those Modified by Cattman)! GR2 would be your best bet! Tokico blues valving is soft and will give you a bouncy ride the GR2 are softer tan the Illuminas but very controlled! What's your spring rates on those Sprint Springs? Also if you have any problems those KAYABAS also include a warranty. Just be sure to find out how much drop is allowed to maintain your warranty! My Illuminas are 1.75" maximum drop allowed!

Last edited by CMax03; Jun 19, 2008 at 02:56 PM.
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 04:54 AM
  #16  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
im not sure what the spring rate is. i would have to call sprint to see what it is. i think the drop is about 1.8 or so. the ride height is nice now need ride quality. i found some gr2s on ebay for 300 which doesnt seem bad. it will be so much nicer of a ride when that is taken cqre of
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 05:09 AM
  #17  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
You can get illuminas for $120 bucks more. And to be honest... with that drop, It's probably the springs that are hurting the ride. Get some H-Techs and GR-2s. You will like that ride. You could also probably find some used struts on here for a good price. Most people are honest on here...
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:22 AM
  #18  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
If Sprints are anything like S-techs, and I suspect they are, then they give the suspension relatively NO travel @ all. And that hurts ride quality.
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 10:26 AM
  #19  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
yes. They are actually WAY too soft. The spring rate is stupid and you are pretty much riding on the bump stops with the s-techs
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 07:04 PM
  #20  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
i dont mind it being slightly harsh. its the whole bouncyness im not happy with. i like a stiffer ride. im not a fan of the caddy ride. if the gr2s control the bouncyness im cool with it. i dont feel the cart bottom out. i think the springs do have a a high spring rate. im used to the ride do to my 68 camaro having a nice tight suspension that has a lot of road feel. i like that. just the floaty ness on dips in the road and such is a pain. i checked that site for the illuminas with springs but it was 589 for them not the 477. do you think getting someones used springs with 15 20 or more thousand miles is good given they have use on them. would they be more apt to wear out quicker?
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 07:22 PM
  #21  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Originally Posted by jeff5347
i dont mind it being slightly harsh. its the whole bouncyness im not happy with. i like a stiffer ride. im not a fan of the caddy ride. if the gr2s control the bouncyness im cool with it. i dont feel the cart bottom out. i think the springs do have a a high spring rate. im used to the ride do to my 68 camaro having a nice tight suspension that has a lot of road feel. i like that. just the floaty ness on dips in the road and such is a pain. i checked that site for the illuminas with springs but it was 589 for them not the 477. do you think getting someones used springs with 15 20 or more thousand miles is good given they have use on them. would they be more apt to wear out quicker?
springs don't really wear out. I think you would be fine.
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 10:00 PM
  #22  
jeff5347's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,124
From: Leicester, Ma
my bad i meant used struts or shocks not springs
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 03:33 AM
  #23  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Originally Posted by jeff5347
my bad i meant used struts or shocks not springs
a lot of people have different feelings on that... You just really need to trust somebody in what they tell you. sometimes that will bite you in the @$$... I wouldn't buy any over 15K if you decide to do it. That's just my personal preference
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 07:01 AM
  #24  
hi-tek22's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 947
From: Baltimore, MD
just save your cash and get some Illumina's

THEY ARE WELL WORTH IT

Last edited by hi-tek22; Jun 20, 2008 at 07:05 AM.
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 02:11 PM
  #25  
Weeble1's Avatar
The Whistle go WOOOOO
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,623
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Originally Posted by hi-tek22
just save your cash and get some Illumina's

THEY ARE WELL WORTH IT
+1
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Maxima_Joe
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
16
Nov 25, 2015 08:19 AM
Johnny9595
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
5
Sep 3, 2015 05:18 AM
95Maxi
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
35
Sep 2, 2015 10:37 AM
doobadoo
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
Aug 15, 2015 06:43 PM
Greenmaxspeed
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
0
Aug 8, 2015 12:39 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:21 AM.