Burgtoad67

Hello all. I have a 2009 SV with Sport package, and I need to get a new set of struts all the way around (at 94k). I am a decent DIY'er, but spring compressors terrify me (I know I'm a sissy). I was looking at these:

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/272605

As they are complete units that would just bolt in no problem. Question is, they are only listed to be compatible with 2011-2012 Maxima's. I was under the impression that all suspension (minus SV and S differences) between 09-14 was the same. Will these fit my car? They are designated for the SV model.

Thanks!

Bificus99

Id do the Monroe oespectrum rear shocks myself and spend the dough on the matching Monroe front struts and install. Its worth it and you'll need an alignment anyway.

LtLeary

I did the ones without the springs only because they said it was NOT compatible but you can always call them and validate. Yes, the spring compressors were a bear as you don't have much room to work.

Les7311

I bought the strut and shocks from www.rockauto.com. The parts arrived less than 24 hours. Spent the entire day installing them. Loaned out the spring compressor from advance auto.

Oh, I got the OEam from the site.... wasn’t hard, just time consuming.

129k miles and mine were shot!!!

Bificus99

I bet! My rear drivers side shock blew out around 55K the rest of the dampers weren't far behind.

Les7311

I went with OEM shocks yet the rear still drop hard into ruts. Just ordered the shock bushings. Hope that will resolve the issue.

Bificus99

Oem shocks and struts are terrible for these cars.

TableRocker

Just curious...why do you make this statement? It seems ludicrous to assume that a major OEM, who spent millions of dollars of R&D on this car's suspension, used 'terrible' components.

Browsing this and other Nissan forums, there seems to be very little other negative comments, in fact the opposite is quite true.

Are you basing this on your personal experience, i.e. the shock that was bad at 55K? If so, couldn't this one incident simply be an anomaly, and certainly not indicative of the fleet as a whole?

Bificus99

Actually many magazines have said the same thing about nissan cars being under damped. "Pogoing over irregularities on pavement." They have terrible rebound as well. I like this car, much better with better dampers. The new models have better suspension, the nissan max can pull as many Gs as a BMW 328. Nissan just forgot the 4dsc mantra for a few maxima gens that's all.

TableRocker

Ah, cool...good information to know. Definitely will be looking for any sign of failure on mine then.

Thanks!

Burgtoad67

Just in case anyone was wondering, I ended up using OESpectrum rear shocks and the quickstruts for the 2011 model on my 2009. Everything bolted in without issue and I saved a bundle by doing the install myself. Car is like new again! I bought it used (bought at 55k, now at 95k) so it's literally better than it ever has been before for me.

Les7311

I am seriously on the fence about my replacement shocks and struts. Plan to jack up car to see if anything is loose. Shouldn’t feel this bad after replacing with OEM parts.....

Bificus99

Good luck Les. Hope its a simple fix.

Les7311

Tell me something
At the bottom of your strut where the coil sit locked , is there a rubber absorber there, or is the spring just sitting in the strut groove metal-to-metal?

Bificus99

Les did you find out what you were looking for? I was out of town all week.

Les7311

No response from the forum

I did google, rock Auto, YouTube and the pics doesn’t confirm if an absorber exists or not....

I believe with new struts, tie rods, and sway links, that I may need to replace the control arms......

Haven’t driven car in a few days

Bificus99

Ill take a look tomorrow.

Les7311

Thank you sir.

Bificus99

Hi Les, there are rubber bushings under the springs front and back on my car.

Les7311

I was hoping you wouldn’t have said that.

So just to confirm:

Are you really really really saying that There is a rubber absorber that sits at the bottom of the spring, just like this red absorber on my truck?

Nissanfinatic

I have the stock struts with eibach spring, I got mine done cheap know what I know now about my set up I should of went with coil overs.

Les7311

confirmed

eBay has it listed. Will order and install

Can I get away with removing strut, install absorber on strut/spring... and get away without having redo alignment?

Bificus99

I would get an alignment, tires are too expensive these days imo.

Les7311

Agree ^^^^^^^^