I'm planning doing 2'' or 1.5'' drop for my ride.

I was told anything below 2'' any brand or non-brand springs is good, just as long it isn't Stiffness/uncomfortable ride.

Would I need a new strut or that just for coil-overs only?

Or should I just go for a good brands such as Ksports, D2 racing, etc those tends to go for more than $150 while others non-brand or some brand goes for $75.

I know one of my friend who drives Audi A4 he got his 2'' drop from ebay non-brand he didn't have any issues.

Is this good? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-DROP-SUSPENSION-LOWERING-SPRINGS-FITS-00-03-NISSAN-MAXIMA-A33-GLE-GXE-WHITE-/400696604827?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2001%7CModel%3AMaxima&hash=item5d4b60f89b&vxp=mtr
Speed-Daddy brand?

 

I want to do the same to my 03 gle only if it doesn't effect the ride

 

If you want a good ride with good handling = do not buy that eBay crap and make sure you replace struts as well (Tokico/KYB GR2/Koni)

You can do a mild drop on stock struts (up to 1.5) and probably be fine for a while without blowing em but the ride will be bouncy. If you do 2" drop definitely get rid of OEM struts or you'll be screwed.

Also, I suggest searching for "definitive suspension thread" and read that cuz it has a ton of good info there

 

+1

When it comes to lowering.. you're looking at a $400-500 expense. I wouldnt trust a ghetto sounding brand called spring daddy lol.

Are you on original struts? Typically theyre a common item to be overlooked and my '01 is still on the factory struts and past 150k (supposed to be replaced every 50k, but personally I say if it aint broke dont fix it). My point is even a mild drop wont do you any good if you run old oem struts. If they havent been replaced ever/ for a long time.. youll benefit from just upgraded the whole system. From what I could gather the cheapest replacements close to OEM were monroe ready struts.. however I was able to find a set of springs and struts for nearly the same price that are quality brands and give the 2 inch drop.

Also, do you plan on doing this yourself? I had estimates of replacing all 4 struts with the Monroes run me around $1100. Add more if they have to compress the springs. Its not a cheap affair thats for sure.

 

HOLY. So much misinformation and noob-osity in this thread, it hurts.

1. 1.5" is a medium-aggressive drop. 2" is a VERY aggressive drop. Things change drastically at these levels.
2. Did you really compare 2" on an Audi to 2" on a Nissan?
3. Do NOT get off-brand springs.
4. The lower you go, the more impactful it becomes - overall. We're talking comfort, axles, geometry of the suspension, control arms, etc etc etc. You need to know what you're getting into before you get into it.

Where did you come up with the 1.5" or 2" arbitrary numbers anyway? Did you just look at your wheel gap and guesstimate?

Lol. It will definitely *affect* the ride.

+1 on eBay crap as mentioned.

At 1.5" I do not recommend OEM or even OEM-replacement struts. You'll need Tokico Illuminas, period.

Yes, please read my thread.

$400-$700 for a spring/strut setup, depending on which parts you go with, and including all the auxiliary parts you *should* replace while doing this job. $750 - $1200 for coilovers. Then whatever install costs.

Struts should *NEVER* be 'overlooked' - they're essential. KYB GR2's are the same price as a full set of Monroes.

If that shop charged you $1100 to install quick struts, they're insane. Run far away and never go back there.

Ok, now that I cleaned all this up...

PLEASE read my thread in its entirety. Then ask questions.

If ANYONE is local to NY/NJ/CT/PA/DE, it is WELL WORTH PMing me to get proper recommendations on parts that are both needed and not needed based on your requirements, budget, and ride height preferences.

Then, it's even more worth it to come to me for the installation. Do not trust your 'boy' who 'knows a guy who can install.' 90% of the time, that person that tried to save 20% has to come to me to fix it, and it costs them nearly double what I initially quoted them because I have to repair a hack job that was poorly executed.

 

A couple of months ago i took this advice and ran with it'. The outcome was great .... I installed gr2's ,oem boots,kyb mounts all around,but just couldnt pull the trigger on the $200h&r springs


Couldn't be more pleased! I only spent around$450 fairly executed by yours truly with the help of djfresyl 's knowledge and understandin' of this suspension, she doesn't suffer from any rust so i went flawles, well exept i forgot to torque one stabilizer link and it came off during test drive

 

Thanks for all the supportive guys I appreciated it very much so I've decided to order Ksports Springs 2'' drop and also I just ordered KYB 4 struts brand new unused.

In all total price cost me $448

I have a friend who is professional installer will do it for me free.

I heard some good reviews about Ksports and yes I know Ksports is very popular for coilovers correct me if I"m wrong.

I will be eventually planning on getting coilovers sometime next year or 2 years.

 

Since you clearly didn't listen to my advice, let me spell it out.

1. K-Sport springs suck. They are way too low and have a terrible spring and rebound rate. You will feel every little imperfection in the road.

2. 2" WILL blow your KYB struts. You need Tokico Illuminas to support that aggressive of a drop.

3. You should replace the other auxiliary parts that comprise a spring/strut assembly, since this is a rare opportunity during which the assemblies will be taken apart. Those parts include:
-OEM dustboots. All 4. Get OEM ONLY.
- Moog front strut mounts. They include strut bearings. You need a pair of K90655.

4. K-Sport coilovers also suck.

5. If you plan on getting coilovers, why are you spending $500-$600 on parts now, only to plan to change them again? Spend the extra $200 and do it now and enjoy your suspension.

You should cancel your order. But if you still proceed, hope you have a high tolerance for a crappy ride and plenty of padding in your bank account to replace those KYB struts once they blow, not to mention axles, ball joint, control arm bushings, etc.

Ok that is all. I'm done.

 

Whoa whoa easy there mate...

I can cancelled my order to get 1.75 instead?

My friend has 2" drop on his Audi A4 with stock strut, and shocks for 3 years.. I don't see what the issues here?

Please... explain how he isn't blowing his strut and shocks....

You're wrong... Ksports Coilovers are really good from my experinced I've drove it and rode it before from 2013 Honda Accord Coupe.

Oh and I don't want coilovers at this moment because at first I want to try experiences with using lowering springs on my ride, if I'm happy with it then I don't have to go for coilovers.

 

Personally, I think going the coilover route is more advantageous. While there are many lower spring choices and choices of struts, trying to strike that balance of ride quality, and ride height is tough to do.

A good example is I elected to run H&R's with Tokico Blues (though my fronts are move to Illuminas as my driver front strut blew early on). Anyway, H&R in my opinion are one of the best riding springs. However the thing that bugs me is the front of my car doesn't look lowered at all. But I don't want a more aggressive spring because my back just wouldn't put up with it.

If you go the coilover route, I think you'll have an easier time striking that balance between how aggressive you lower the car and ride quality very easily. Plus it really sucks to be $500-800 in on springs and struts to not quite get what you want, when for a few hundred more, you can dial things in pretty easily.

Just my .02

S

 

lol....spring daddy. I wouldnt have even clicked that ad

 

Why not go for coilovers??????????

 

Comparing Maxima suspension setup to Audi's on specific brand is apple to banana. Listen to djfrestyl, He knows. The cheapest setup for ride, looks, and handling you can get it is KYB GR2 + TEIN Htech or H&R or similar. Any stiffer, you'll need Illuminas. Any more than 2" drop, you'll need Coilovers, BC or TEIN pick your brand if you still want to be able to ride functionally. Lowering Maxima is mostly for looks, as you will sacrifice the handling performance when you are lowered aggressively. I have KYB GR2 + HTech close to 2 years now and it is a tad stiffer than OEM.

If I have the money, I'd go with BC racing

 

Ksports is 2'' drop if that is too much I can get Megan Racing springs, they have a good reviews and it 1.75'' drop. I'm pretty sure my KYB struts will handle just fine. It won't blow out for good 2-3 years especially when I'm away from college 300 miles drive 7 hours drive on interstate. If it does get blow out after 3 years then I'm getting coilovers.

I don't see why Ksports can't handle KYB it should be fine? I'm not agrueing or disagreed with you, but I've done alot of research, seen it, and heard about it.

It not like it going to blow out in overnight, next day or week whatever it happens (knock on wood) KYB should last for good 3 years.

 

Where did you come up with the 2-3 year figure?? Based on what empirical knowledge??? Just a wild guess? Do you drive 1,000 miles a year or 40,000?

My friend, read what I am going to say VERY VERY carefully, I am only going to say it once. Frankly, I've already said it a hundred times in my own thread which I've asked you to read, but whatever, here it is one last time.

FIRST, pick your spring height. I recommend reading this website. It will give you a VISUAL example of what your car will look like with various spring heights.
http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html
As you can see, Progress/H-Tech are already at 1.6/1.4 and are very low. S-Tech at 2.0 is simply ridiculous as it causes all sorts of OTHER issues with your car as mentioned - axle, control arm, ride comfort, etc. Keep in mind the lower you go, the more ride comfort you are sacrificing. This is a direct correlation.

Where the heck did you come up with a 2.0" figure? From your friend with the Audi? NOT THE SAME CAR! You cannot compare! By your logic, my friend that drives a Murano lowered his SUV 4" and no issues, and that means I can do the same to my Maxima. NO.

THEN once you pick your springs, pick your struts accordingly. Struts are only designed within certain operating threshold heights. Anything lower than Eibach (do not get Eibach - for other reasons), you should get Illuminas. KYB's simply CANNOT handle that aggressive of a drop. They will blow within 30,000 miles. They are designed as OEM replacements but can handle MILD drops only.

OR, as we keep trying to tell you, get coilovers if you want to go that low! Spend the money up front. You will end up spending double if you don't.

Trust us, we know what we are talking about.

 

^^^ Listen to DJ, he really truly knows this stuff.

Megan springs suck IIRC, almost nobody has them here. You will have a horrible ride that bottoms out and you will bounce around like a truck driver with Megan/GR2's.

You need to match springs to struts. Basically if you want more than a 1.5" drop then DO NOT get the KYB's (if you want a good ride). If you want an aggressive drop you can go TEIN S Tech (2.2" in front I think) + Tokico Illuminas or better yet some KONI's.

But remember, any of these springs with real aggressive drops (2"+) will greatly affect handling and life of the suspension. There is really no good way of doing a spring/strut setup while being so low, if you want to be that low then Coilovers is the only way IMO.

Go here to see a list of springs/struts and don't get anything not on this list:
http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html

 

Wrong. I had Megans and gr2 struts. It was not harsh, and I did not bounce. I bought Megan street series coilovers because I was satisfied with the springs. If you haven't tried them don't knock them.

 

This is the thing with suspension discussions is that people base their opinion on their own experience, which is fine, but may not be what the OP is looking for.

Let's face some facts: coilovers are great if you want the ultimate handling. A fantastic track car. Comfort on the not so perfect roads? Not so much.

Lowered Spring/Strut combos offer better handling than OEM without too much of a loss in comfort. Could anyone honestly drive comforably through NYC streets on coilovers without losing their dental work? If the answer's yes, then they're probably driving at 2mph because the bumps are so brutal.

Even though I've never driven on coilovers I can tell this is the case simply by looking at the front suspension and comparing OEM spring/struts to the coilover setup on the front wheels. The coilover setup is way, way smaller than OEM. How is it possible for that coilover setup to produce the same comfort as OEM with better handling? Something's gotta give. Since handling is great, then ride must suffer. Alot.

 

Not as bad as you may think.

 

The coilover maintains the suspension travel where the lowering spring looses the suspension travel. The strut on the coilover is designed to match to dampen the spring which can be designed to have non linear spring rate. This non linear spring rate and dampening means, when you pushed the car the suspension behaves differently compared to when you are crusing the freeway

 

To be honest guys I'm really on tight budget I can't really afford a high quality Struts such as Tokico Illuminas.

If you guys have an other option that would be great because I'm still a college student and I have 2 jobs at this moment for the summer only. I can only have enough to upgrade 1 parts for my car this summer which is why I picked I wanted to lowering my ride to make it look aggressive.

If my ride gonna be little rough I'll be fine with that because here at home the roads are pretty good, compare to NYC. But when I'm at Rochester, NY the roads are incredible smooth as hell.

If you really think KYB struts is that bad... what do you want me to replace with... reasonable price as KYB struts.

 

There are also Tokico Blues to consider...non adjustable, but might be in the same boat as the KYB.

S

 

My advice to you:

Do it once, and do it right.

If you cannot do it right the first time, then keep saving until you can. Otherwise, it will cost you 2-3x the cost, just because you tried to save a couple hundred dollars.

That being said, I still do not agree with that aggressive of a drop. My recommendation for you are H&R springs (pretty much the best and most comfortable lowering springs available for your Maxima, period.) Pair them with KYB GR-2's.

Your price breakdown looks like this:
GR-2's: $325 shipped for all 4
H&R Springs: $225 (new) - feel free to find them used for about half
OEM Boots: $80
Moog strut mounts: $80

So for less than $700, you have a VERY VERY good spring/strut setup that will last you 75,000 miles or more, with the RIGHT parts, and right mating of spring to strut.

Or, save up and get coilovers. Megans can be had for $800. They just won't last as long, and you will likely need control arms, axles, and other parts going forward.

 

I don't recommend them for lowering. OEM replacement only. Plus, they cost more than KYB's.

 

^^^ THIS man is right.

Blues are OEM replacement only, too soft.

As for H&R + KYB GR2 combo I can definitely recommend it, I have that setup and the ride is really nice and comfortable plus handles well.

KYB GR2's can be found for around $250 (all 4), look around, I got mine on Amazon.com

Also, you may be able to save some $$$ just by knowing that KYB GR2 = KYB Excel-G and many people don't know this, many online vendors have the GR2's marked more expensive even though it's an identical part. GR2's are silver and Excel-G is black and made for different markets, otherwise it's the same part.

 

^ Yep

 

One thing to remember, the more aggressive the drop, the more stress you are going to put on other parts of the suspension/drivetrain so keep a slushfund set up for parts for that if you go with a big drop. Other members are swapping out axles every six months due to their extreme 2"+ drops.

 

^ Yep

 

Okay last thing I'm gonna say if this won't work then I'll just might as well give up and save up for coil overs.

What if I just buy H&R Springs 1.4F and 1.3R drop with my stock struts will that be fine? The car is less 2 years old previous owner replaced the struts after 60k miles. I bought the car that came with 70k miles and currently at 121k miles.

If I'm still recommended to get aftermarket struts as I already ordered KYB struts but I can't afford another $225 for H&R Springs I have to neither pick H&R springs with stock struts or use KYB with Ksports or Megans racing springs. But you guys recommended me not to so.. I have 3 choices..

Save up for coilovers another $400
Use H&R Springs 1.4F/1.3R with Stock Struts
Use KYB Struts with Ksports or Megan Racing springs.

I understand you told to use KYB for H&R springs that can handle because it no more than 2'' drop so I'd thought if stock could handle that 1.4'' drop.

Oh and another thing is I have 110lb of subwoofer back in the trunk so... yeah.

 

can you? yes.


is it ideal? NO. The car has had 60K on its current struts.

Nut up and get either the H&R springs, with the KYB struts OR wait longer and get the Coilovers.

 

For another $100, you can make the springs listed above into H&R's. Are you really going to make a bad decision over $100? Save up man.

No. KYB's cannot handle any lower than a 1.4" drop (no lower than H&R).

Stocks will blow when on lowering springs. Maybe not immediately, but their life will definitely be cut short.

Seriously man, stop putzing around and just save your money to do it right. None of this "what about this scenario" or "how about this" nonsense - just stop.

 

Option #1. Keep your current setup and just save for a proper coilover setup.

 

Are u running coilovers on NYC roads? How do they feel?

 

^^^ Listen to these good mens, they knows this stuffs

No seriously, I can't believe you would be debating this and thinking about buying cheap springs when price difference vs good springs is ~$100 at best maybe?

That just sounds asinine to me, seriously. Especially since the suspension is no joke and these things will make quite a difference for ya

If you really want to save some money (esp. with that sub u got in the rear), then just go find a set of slightly used H&R fronts and get KYB GR2 fronts only. Leave rear end stock, and do the front. This will actually give you a way more even drop as well, considering the H&R rear sits low and u got that extra weight back there.

 

I'm running H&Rs + Blue's on NYC roads. I originally lived in Philly when I installed this setup and I am glad I did. There is no way I could live with a drastic drop in NYC with an aggressive setup. When I was coming up to NYC on dates to visit my NYC gf at the time, I was thinking "wtf did I get myself into even with this mild suspension setup". I had the car fully loaded with the gf and her parents and hit a moon crater on a highway that bottomed the car so hard that everyone just cringed and I swear that the gas tank was left behind in the pothole.

I have become a much better NYC driver since then, but DAMN these roads still suck incredible ****.

 

Werd. If you can get free labor for it, if you buy used springs, you can probably resell the springs for close for what you pay for them. Or, just save up and just do the coilover kit that you ultimately want.