Ron's 20's Versus my 19's
 

On Sat. Rick, Ron, and myself got together to fix Rick's noisy passenger side strut, and Ron and myself exchange wheels for a day.

We weighed Ron's wheel/tire combination and mines as well as Ricks.

Ron's averaged 61 lbs 20" staggered)

Mines weighed 50bs 19"

Rick's weighed in the lightest at 48 lbs 18" 350Z wheels

Ron's tires are Toyo Proxies and mines Michelin PS2's.

The handling and ride quality are definetly better with the 19's as well as acceleration and braking. I found the PS2's to be way stickier around turns. Going around one of my regular turns I got sideways with the Toyo's.

Onto the pics...

Ron's car with 20's
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...tman/002-7.jpg
Ron's car with the 19's
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...outman/033.jpg
My car with the 20's
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...outman/034.jpg
My car with the factory 19's
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...man/008-10.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...outman/032.jpg
Rick's hot car (now with no noises) :)
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...outman/035.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...outman/036.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...outman/039.jpg

I think both cars look better with the others wheels, you 2 should make the trade for good. lol

great pics, either way, you guys cant go wrong with either combo, looks wise. I have the m35/45 19" and love them. thanks for sharing

keep them switched LOL...

Hurl3y im selling the gwheels... getting some volks

Cool. Remember the pics. lol

So I take it you're keeping the Max. No more tranny issues? I hope so Bro.

Good to hear from you.

If it were not for the increased weight(11 lbs), compromised ride quality, and a curious vibration, I would consider it-therefore setting the world record on wheels owned over the last couple of years(I stopped counting). :laugh:

Thanks for posting the pics!!! I'm about to pull the trigger on a new set of wheels- probably 20's...19's just look too small IMO.

yes ... got a warranty.. sticking around for a bit

Do you mind if I ask what was making the noise?

Don't mind you asking if you don't mind us not telling. J/K :)

On a serious note upon taking the strut off which happens to have a progressive spring rate--we noticed the plastic tube had slid down to the lower spring coils. The springs get tighter/closer together as you get to the higher spring coils. Meaning they can (and do) actually touch each other. This can make a buch of noise without the plastic tube being between them.

Rick replaced the strut mount while we had it off as well so we don't know for sure. But my best guess is the plastic tube had slid down exposing the upper bare spring coils to each other.

Wow,this is interesting info.I cant find the cause of my noise.Im going to be changing the sturt mount soon so Ill have to check that out.Thanks!!

If you stop by Arizona, we would find that out for you ;-).

yeah no doubt... i think all three of us are pretty much experts when it comes to 6th gen maxima struts and springs. With Coolmax being the Senior advisor. :D

All together, we've put in a lot of man hours and have gone through a lot of uninstalls and installs... :cool:

As for the noise, I replaced the Strut Mount Insulator (54320 - 8J001) and both lower and upper rubber seals. We also noticed the rubber hose on the Eibach spring was at the bottom of the spring. So I pushed it back to the top spring.

So its hard to say what caused the noise but it is gone now!!!!

Man,I wish I could.I have to be honest its starting to really tick me off.

19" wheels look better imo.

My opinion is a Max with 20-22's + lowering springs (2" in rear, .8" in front) is the sickest set up. So I would have to go with the 20's since I like the look of bigger wheels on a bigger car.. Get what I'm saying?