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

How low is too LOW before stuff starts breaking?

Old Jun 17, 2012 | 10:45 AM
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How low is too LOW before stuff starts breaking?

K-I'll be picking up some either Megan's or BC coil overs soon and since all I have heard are people talking about clicking and popping axels I figured I would ask. How low is too low till parts start going out? My axels have 102K miles on them and I don't want to kill them just cause I want to get rid of the wheel gap I have now. Does anybody know or does it vary depending on drop, driving style and roads you drive on? BTW here is the gap I wanna get rid of. Also its on OEM struts and Megan Springs.

Old Jun 17, 2012 | 10:52 AM
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If you go past 25" in height, from the center of the top of the fenders to the flat pavement, you will start having problems. One secret to keeping your boots from ripping are to silicone spray them about every 2-3 months.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Xpcgamer
IMO i like the way it looks now.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by T_Behr904
IMO i like the way it looks now.
+1

That's not wheel gap...check my sig...THAT's wheel gap!
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 03VQMAX
If you go past 25" in height, from the center of the top of the fenders to the flat pavement, you will start having problems. One secret to keeping your boots from ripping are to silicone spray them about every 2-3 months.
I am gonna measure that pig now. Although it's gonna be skewed a bit since the parking space goes up a bit.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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I am at about 26 1/4" now. Give or take a 1/4 of an inch. Looks like I have an inch to go.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:13 AM
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anything past S-techs starts getting vulnerable lol
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:24 AM
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Oh and that measurement is without a front lip, so keep that in mind. You have one.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Amerikaner83
+1

That's not wheel gap...check my sig...THAT's wheel gap!
What did you say about wheel gap?

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Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:34 AM
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Where abouts in south Florida are you? I was in the Ft. Lauderdale/Sunrise area a couple months back, and the road construction around there is crazy. If you live and/or drive around that area, i'd keep how low you want to go in consideration.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:37 AM
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That's exactly where he's at! I believe Pines.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 03VQMAX
This is funny, but unfortunately inaccurate, considering it's designed to stretch to let a 10+ pound baby to pass through it during birth... What makes it "tight" is really nothing more than muscles constricting. Think if it as a firm handshake.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 03VQMAX
That's exactly where he's at! I believe Pines.
595 (I believe that's the road) between I-95 and I-75 is a mess with all that construction. The broken and uneven pavement was not fun. To be honest I wouldn't go any lower than how the car is sitting now with the Megan springs on there. At least with adjustable coilovers the dampning can be set to a softer setting to soak up those pavement irregularities.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by T_Behr904
595 (I believe that's the road) between I-95 and I-75 is a mess with all that construction. The broken and uneven pavement was not fun. To be honest I wouldn't go any lower than how the car is sitting now with the Megan springs on there. At least with adjustable coilovers the dampning can be set to a softer setting to soak up those pavement irregularities.
Yes it is, Our NISFLO meets are in Davie, every time I go to the meets my suspension gets an extreme workout!!!
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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Car's looking great man!

With a drop that thing will be gorgeous.

Just lower it until the gap is gone. Tires even with the fenders or fenders just a shade lower. Will be perfect.

As for your immediate question, 1" of drop is kind of the lowering threshold where you get angles off then every bit after that multiplies wear. I'd rather drop it 2-3" and have it look 100x better, replace parts a bit more often, than keep it at proper height.

Your axels will be ok until you go past 3". But they will wear faster. Once you cross 3" though, they'll wear VERY fast
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by T_Behr904
This is funny, but unfortunately inaccurate, considering it's designed to stretch to let a 10+ pound baby to pass through it during birth... What makes it "tight" is really nothing more than muscles constricting. Think if it as a firm handshake.
i see you enjoy taking everything to extreme technicality lol... jeez man, couldnt it just stay at a fun lil line???
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 03VQMAX
Yes it is, Our NISFLO meets are in Davie, every time I go to the meets my suspension gets an extreme workout!!!
I can only imagine.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17
i see you enjoy taking everything to extreme technicality lol... jeez man, couldnt it just stay at a fun lil line???
I had thought about it, but nah...
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 01:51 PM
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That's exactly the area I was at! Let me get a set of CO's installed and I will retake some pics.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 04:17 PM
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You should just get different springs if your just going to lower the front.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 05:03 PM
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You're running 350Z tire sizes, aren't you?
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 05:28 PM
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Well I am not sure what OEM 350z tire sizes are. I am running 225 40 18 up front and 245 40 out back.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Xpcgamer
Well I am not sure what OEM 350z tire sizes are. I am running 225 40 18 up front and 245 40 out back.
Strange, those sizes are smaller in overal diameter than your stock ones.

Also they're staggered in height front to rear, with the rear being about 1/2" higher than the front is.

The front tires are over 1" lower in height than stock size.

That makes no sense. OEM 350Z tires are taller than the Maximas. Are you sure about those sizes? Sounds like it should be 225/55 and 245/50 if they're 350z size....

or something like that.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 07:43 PM
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Just slam it. My frame is 2 inches from the ground and its fine.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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Still not low enough.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 07:59 PM
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Nah the tires have been replaced. I don't think these are the stock tires. Dude had them on his Kouki.
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 03VQMAX
If you go past 25" in height, from the center of the top of the fenders to the flat pavement, you will start having problems. One secret to keeping your boots from ripping are to silicone spray them about every 2-3 months.
i agree anything past 25 in the front you will start popping axels and stressing ball joints and tie rods ends
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by MoncefA33


Still not low enough.
Man I've been on Tein SA's for about 1.5 months (I'm not much lower than H-techs) and I still can't see myself riding low like that^ (looks damn good though)

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Last edited by Nexus67; Jun 18, 2012 at 03:33 AM.
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Xpcgamer
Nah the tires have been replaced. I don't think these are the stock tires. Dude had them on his Kouki.
This makes more sense, that's why they're smaller. Lol.

Keep in mind when you put the right size tires on those rims whenever the time comes, that will change the overall height gap and appearance to some degree. Coilovers are perfect, you can just tweak them when the time comes
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17
never too low
.
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 06:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Nexus67
Man I've been on Tein SA's for about 1.5 months (I'm not much lower than H-techs) and I still can't see myself riding low like that^ (looks damn good though)

Are those 19's or 18's? If they are 18's what size tires are you running? Thats more of the look I want.
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 03VQMAX
What did you say about wheel gap?




Yes, that made me laugh on a Monday morning...
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