k so im bout to drop my 02 max on illuminas and stechs, got bout 107K miles wondering if i should replace mounts and boots? if so what should i get OEM or KYB i heard that the KYBs dont fit right since theyre the same part number for 4th and 5th gen....i pmed daveB to see if he can get me the OEM parts. what do yall think? thnx.


-Ravi P.

 

i would definitely replace them while you are in the area. as for which ones to get i have no experience there

 

Get all of it done in one shot. OEM is the way to go and u pinged the right person. I recently replaced the strut mounts and it was priced just less that $40 a piece. My BKM is if you have original setup for 100K, it is time for new struts, mounts, boots and rubber insulator.

 

I would definitely replace the boots, I'll bet the ones on you cat are torn up. Boots never last as long as the shock.

As for the mounts, I lean towards no. When I replaced the struts on my 94, I didn't change the mounts and never had a problem. On my 97, I've already had to replace the mounts at 60K. When I do struts this summer on the 97 and my 00, I won't change the mounts. I know we have pretty good roads compared to other places, so that might be why I don't have problems with the strut mounts.

As for the KYB's being the same part for 4th and 5th gens, I think you're wrong. I like KYB and I have looked up the numbers and they are not the same:

............. 4th gen 5th gen
right front 334150 334265
left front 334151 334266
right rear 341202 334271
left rear 341202 334271

 

Just call Dave Burnette: 1.888.254.6060. You can PM him all you want but for faster and more direct service just call him to get the OEM parts. He can normally overnight them, too.

 

Dont get KYB Bump stops/boots. I replaced mine with KYB before, and less then 5000 miles, they make noise. i took the whole shocks out and looked at it. it turned out that the bump stops were to thigh to the pistons/rods. I can see the marks from them. i replaced them with OEM one. now everything is good.

 

cool thnx guys, ya i called DaveB and ordered all 4 new boots with the paper seals that go between the mount and the strut assembly. Great serviceand DISCOUNT! gotta love the .org!

 

Actually, those numbers for the 5th gen above are for the '00-'01s. The p/ns for the '02 and '03s are:
right front 334367
left front 334366
right rear 341341
left rear 341341

So says KYB's online catalog.

 

I'm about to do some suspension work too. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for the mounts, bump stops, boots and paper seal?

 

At 100,000 miles, you got your money's worth. If you skip mounts and boots and end up having to tear back into the suspension to replace those parts, you'll wish you had replaced them whole you had them apart.

You might want to consider replacing the spring isolators as well.

 

I was looking on an OEM Maxima parts site and the OEM bellow is listed as a KYB part...wierd.

 

Go with O.E.M.
When I had my Illuminas installed, I also purchased Tokico mounts and generic boots. I eventually got factory mounts and boots due to certain fitment issues.

 

WITH THE suspension hardware i just went OEM

strut bearings, strut mounts, spring isolators, and even that paper seal that attatches at the front, I also went with OEM dust boots and bumptstops

 

I used Stock mounts on my 01 AE at 90,000 miles and i have no noise issues. but man the stechs are a bad way to go if you do alot of highway driving because you feel everything and anything in the road, and you only have maybe 3 inches of suspension travel at the most. i got them on mine and its rough man! just a heads up

 

I'd like to know what you paid as well. I got my OEM boots for $12.82ea (front) and $25.14ea (rear) but no seals.

 

Madcatz you rode in my setup , kyb boot or Oem IMO are about the same I think the KYB will actually outlast the OEM which tend to dry rot terribly. The fitment of the bumpstop dust boot is loose after the bumpstop is cut in half as a general rule of dropping vehicle with bumpstops! 2F/4R better than stock ride!