Finally took my car to the dealership to get the bad strut fixed. They only agreed to fix the bad strut and not both. I was kinda disappointed. I'll let ya'll know how it rides.

 

That's because they are supossed to change both per instructions direct from Nissan. Fockers...call 1800 Nissan 1 and complain.

 

My dealer said the same thing to me. However, he told me to let him know if I have problems later to bring it right back and he will call Nissan. Three weeks later my other strut starts rattling like my dad's 79 Ford Fairmont they ordered it yesterday. It sucks to make two trips out of it but that's Nissan these days for you!

 

That is total BS. It's stupid to change one strut. Makes no sense. I would complain VERY loudly if I were you.

 

Thing is, I've been riding with one bad strut and one good. I've had the car for a year and the left front seems to be ok. I still always thought you replace the strut in pairs. But anyway, got the car back and it rides much smoother.

While we're on the topic, is there a difference between the SL strut and an SE strut? Maybe I have to get used to the new strut but I almost think it's too soft. Do struts take time to settle like springs?

 

I got my third strut replaced today (2 times left one right)
they didn't want to change the other side. Last year they changed the left side and a week later the right side blew so they changed it without any complaints.

 

Just to add to my previous post,

Although they didn't change both sides at the same time, I am quite happy with the service I got today.

On top of the regular oil change.

• They replace the defective strut;
• They replace both daylight lamp, only one was burned, but they said that Nissan has a new replacement part which is much longer lasting than the original ones. (must be true since I had the other side replaced 6 months ago) The new part number is: 26717-89950
• They balanced the front wheels
• And most surprising, they replaced my stock front grill without me asking for it. The guy told me the finish was damaged and it was covered under the warranty. I did not argue :-)

I had printed the sticky post about the strut problem (with the part numbers) and left it on the passenger side without saying a word to the adviser. He mentioned it to me when he called to say the car was ready. He was quite amused.

 

I would like to know what some of you guys are experiencing with the bad struts. Before the Max I had a Passat with an aftermarket suspension and the Max's suspension is as hard as my Passat's was and I'm experiencing something that I experienced when one of my struts on the Passat went bad.

When traveling at speeds above 40mph and turning, if i hit a bump the front and rear of the car kind of hop in the opposite direction of the turn. Now I just got my Max and i'm not sure if the rest of you guys are experiencing this and this isn't the first ranting session i've seen about the struts on a 6th gen and I doubt it'll be the last.

Also, is it me or does the Max ride exceptionally hard. Either that or I need to take a trip to the stealership service to have this checked out along with getting my outer chrome molding replaced.

Thanks in advance for any input!!!!

 

Both my front struts are bad. will they cover both at the same time? or will they only replace one?

 

I suspect it's you. It also depends on what you're used to driving. I find my SE to be quite confortable, but very well mannered in the corners (but then I just got new Michelin tires and the Catman anti-sway bar for the back). Try driving a 2500 Dodge Pickup truck with camper springs if you want to see what is an "exceptionally hard" ride.

 

My Max rode hard until I had the strut replaced. Now it rides smooth. It truely feels much better. What I was experiencing with the bad strut was a clanging sound and vibration when I went over bumps. I dealt with it for about 7 months. Obviously if both struts have the same problem they will replace both.

 

Were you guys aware of the daylight problem?

 

I think the SL strut is supposed to be softer. However if that is the case I would hate to see how stiff the SE's struts are. I think the ride on my SL is a bit too stiff as it is. I also think that the struts do have a break in period b/c the first week my new one was much softer than it is now.