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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
Last edited by fat_kid; Jan 6, 2019 at 02:57 PM.
Reason: Forgot to state front struts
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
