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-   -   Strut availability (https://maxima.org/forums/5th-generation-maxima-2000-2003/703311-strut-availability.html)

fat_kid 01-02-2019 11:24 AM
Strut availability
 
I did search in maxima.org for the best suspension replacement advice but my problem is finding performance struts currently for sale. I cannot find Tokico Illuminas for sale online anywhere. Do they not make them for the 5/5.5 gen anymore? If not, what is the go to strut nowadays to use with lowering springs (H/R)? I am not looking to do coil-overs. Thanks in advance!

Edit: I forgot to state I'm looking for front struts

MaxMaximus 01-02-2019 12:13 PM
Yeah Illuminas are no longer manufactured, and so it's pretty slim pickens when it comes to struts. Your best best is probably the KYB GR-2 struts of what's available. Checkout Tirerack or Rockauto.com for availability.

fat_kid 01-02-2019 12:23 PM
I was thinking of going with the koni yellows after some searching

Anyone have experience with them?

Mike88SE 01-03-2019 08:39 AM
I couldn't find anything but crap and KYB semi-crap. If you can find Konis I'd say get them.

J P D 01-04-2019 05:23 PM
Just went Nissan OEM struts at all 4 corners today, what a difference! Car drives like it is new again, money well spent - a lot lol.
New Cooper Zeon RS3's on all corners too since this picture, those Hankooks were shot.
Side to side sway is gone, car is flat in turns - before these struts had to do too many steering corrections mid turn.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/maxima....5c1e1b9cf0.jpg

pastaben 01-04-2019 07:15 PM
Did you just change struts / shocks, or did you also do springs and mounts and bearings? I'm wondering how much I must do to get the kind of improvement you experienced.

AaronL 01-04-2019 11:49 PM
Originally Posted by pastaben (Post 9192048)
Did you just change struts / shocks, or did you also do springs and mounts and bearings? I'm wondering how much I must do to get the kind of improvement you experienced.
Unless your springs are broken you don't need to replace them. Bearings are included in mounts, and you might as well replace the mounts at the same time as you do struts. I think rear mounts don't need to be replaced as they don't really wear out. I had my struts replaced ~1 year ago and did struts/mounts/boots (but not the rear mounts).

J P D 01-05-2019 05:10 AM
Originally Posted by pastaben (Post 9192048)
Did you just change struts / shocks, or did you also do springs and mounts and bearings? I'm wondering how much I must do to get the kind of improvement you experienced.
Just struts/shocks, there was some confusion as to whether the rears were actually struts or shocks. It's a fairly low mileage car so your experience may vary.

pastaben 01-05-2019 05:21 AM
Originally Posted by AaronL (Post 9192055)
Unless your springs are broken you don't need to replace them. Bearings are included in mounts, and you might as well replace the mounts at the same time as you do struts. I think rear mounts don't need to be replaced as they don't really wear out. I had my struts replaced ~1 year ago and did struts/mounts/boots (but not the rear mounts).
Thanks.

Originally Posted by J P D (Post 9192060)
Just struts/shocks, there was some confusion as to whether the rears were actually struts or shocks. It's a fairly low mileage car so your experience may vary.
Helpful to know. I have 2001 GLE, runs well but feels a bit wiggly. Rear boots shredded up. Front visually okay. I think I'll go with strut and shocks when weather warms up a bit here. I will probably buy mounts just to have them available, but look at condition after I take the originals off. Don't want to change more than necessary, and perhaps even change characteristics involving the springs

Mike88SE 01-05-2019 05:59 AM
Originally Posted by J P D (Post 9192042)
Just went Nissan OEM struts at all 4 corners today, what a difference! Car drives like it is new again, money well spent - a lot lol.
New Cooper Zeon RS3's on all corners too since this picture, those Hankooks were shot.
Side to side sway is gone, car is flat in turns - before these struts had to do too many steering corrections mid turn.

I'm guessing the tires are where you got 99% of the improvement. Who makes the OEM inserts? I'm guessing Tokico.

J P D 01-05-2019 06:32 AM
Originally Posted by Mike88SE (Post 9192062)
I'm guessing the tires are where you got 99% of the improvement. Who makes the OEM inserts? I'm guessing Tokico.
Actually I was disappointed with the ride/handling improvement with the new tires, it was better but less than I expected.
That's why strut replacement was next.

pastaben 01-05-2019 06:06 PM
SE is listed with Tokico. GLE, GXE did not show as available.

fat_kid 01-05-2019 07:11 PM
Originally Posted by pastaben (Post 9192090)
SE is listed with Tokico. GLE, GXE did not show as available.
have a link?

pastaben 01-05-2019 07:27 PM
Originally Posted by fat_kid (Post 9192092)


have a link?
For rear shock only. Item #6 on the lower diagram. SE, TOKICO. Does not list anything for GLE, GXE.
https://www.courtesyparts.com/auto-p...uspension-scat

For front, nothing is listed. there's a #1 for the strut in diagram, but no part listed here.
https://www.courtesyparts.com/auto-p...uspension-scat

On the components page:
https://www.courtesyparts.com/auto-p...omponents-scat

Struts are listed in the link above, but no specific brand. For the price, I suspect they may be the Value Advantage line. Not sure...just guessing from looking at the price.

Mike88SE 01-05-2019 09:41 PM
Hmmm... IIRC Japanese car makers used used to use Tokico blues as OEM. I'd rather have Blues than KYB. I'd rather have KYB than Gabriel or Monroe. The KYBs I bought were NOS.


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