Helping GF's daughter rehab her new-to-her Maxima with 140k. Full brake job last weekend. Cam tensioners, guides and secondary chains/tensioners are on the dance card, but first I'd like to freshen up the suspension. KYB Struts on order - surprisingly cheap. Need upper pillow mounts, lower control arms, steering end links and sway bar end links. Are any of the aftermarket bits not pure crap, or do I have to pry open the wallet for Genuine Nissan.

Oh, and has anyone used two brass plugs in opposing cylinders to hold the crank in place rather than spring for a flywheel holding tool? I've already got one plug and degree wheel from degreeing cams on bikes an eternity ago, and thought another in an opposing cylinder might lock it in while I do the work. I wouldn't use it to hold the crank while removing the bolt....too much torque?? ....just to hold it still while doing the chains.

TIA,

Brian C.

"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.

 

I actually just replaced my control arms, Tie Rod Ends, and End Links recently. I was able to buy Moog parts for all of them and so far everything is working great. I would suggest them to anyone.

 

Moog is probably better than Genuine Nissan.

 

Just replaced front sway bar endlinks with Moog. So far, so good and I like the fact that the Moog (at least the ones I got) have grease fittings (as long as you, or whoever changes the oil, remembers to add grease every now and again).