I recently replaced the front struts on my 2014 Nissan Maxima SV. Now every little bump I hit I can feel and my car makes a loud noise. When I take it to the dealer they tell me nothing is wrong with the car. However my car didn’t make the sound before and I definitely didn’t feel the bumps before. Driving my car felt like driving a Cadillac but with more power. Anyone else having this problem or a recommendation? I’m truly ready to trade in the car at this point because the noise and the feel is so annoying to me. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

Too much emotion, not enough detail on the car itself. Who did the work, what brand struts did you use. let's start there, and add anything else related to the car so someone can actually offer a little help.

 

Instead of focusing on the struts atm have you checked the sway bar bushings, Stabilizer links, control arms? There are multiple suspension components that can cause noise when hitting bumps. Low end economy struts don't handle as well as the OEM or premium quality aftermarket ones. Multiple factors here to look into before throwing in the towel and getting rid of the car.

 

I had the work done at NTB. They used Monroe complete strut assembly. After the installation I went to Meineke and the Dealer and I’m being told the same thing by all places. They’re all saying the struts are fine and the noise and bumpiness is a preference thing.

 

Is your max a sport model? May be some part cross references that may be incorrect.

 

I purchased "OREEDY" brand struts on Amazon for my 2010 Maxima (104K miles) and they are way too stiff. I feel every bump and things are making noise. Hate it.

Does anyone have a link to new struts that are similar ride and quality as OEM?

 

Unexpected thread hijack,
Look for Monroe, dealers are installing them as Nissan ones.

 

Wow, way to make a person feel welcome with your "Unexpected thread hijack". Anyway, to contribute to original post...when I purchased my car with 89K miles, it had a suspension noixe in the rear which I found to be the sway bar bushings. Once I replace those (and the wheel bearings), all problems were solved. I was aware that it needed wheel bearings before buying it. They tried to say there was nothing wrong with the car, but it had bad wheel bearings, sway bar bushings, bad tires, and a bad wheel. They eventually took $200 off the asking price.

 

Interesting. Obviously YOU know how the car WAS, how it felt, drove, rode, etc. Yet an independent analysis by multiple mechanics says, "Meh...it's all in your head." My question is, did you take these guys for a ride, telling them "See! That's it...that's the noise I'm talking about..." or did they just do a visual inspection?

New struts WILL feel different, for sure...especially if your old ones were shot. Which coincidentally doesn't sound like they were, if the car "rode like a Cadillac"...? Why'd you change them? Struts that are shot will absorb little or no impacts and would contribute to a very rough ride and poor handling.

If nothing else, get a couple of big, strong friends and have them each grab a front fender and start bouncing the car, whilst you observe and listen carefully. Something obvious may reveal itself.

Good luck!

 

Here's my two cents....you bought Monroe, these are not the OEM parts that came with the car and are a cheap alternative..... basically you got what you paid for, why?..... not the same springs, size,etc .....get some used ones with low miles(OEM) from any 2009-2014 model at the junk yard or on E-bay from a reputable seller and replace that junk......you will pay more than the brand new ones but will have a better ride......I got some low mile 36k ones for $160 each on E-bay from a 2014 model....my car is a 2009 model and my originals gave out at 182k.....these will last till I get rid of the car most likely and ride great......good luck.

 

None...get OEM or face the bumps lol

 

OEM struts are only $180 bucks, $30 more than the Monroe unit. Why didn't you go OEM in the first place then blame this new problem on something else when it presented itself anyway after the work was done?

 

It's not a hotel or Facebook support page to feel welcomed. Forums have rules.

 

Had I known how to get OEM parts I definitely would have bought them. I called Nissan in Ofallon IL where I live because I was going to purchase from them and they also said they stock the Monroe strut so I thought I was purchasing good parts. A few week ago a friend of mine mentioned buying used struts from a junk yard. When I mentioned to NTB, they claim they will install but they don’t recommend I go that route. This is definitely a learning as I just didn’t know. Thanks for your Candid yet helpful input. LOL

 

Not a sports model. From the thread it seems I need to purchase some used OEM struts.

 

Please don’t go with Monroe as this is the problem I'm currently having with Monroe. Find some used ones from the Junk Yard or a reputable online seller.

 

The old ones were making a noise while driving and NTB claimed it was my struts. I did have the mechanics ride with me and they all said the same thing...that’s just a nuisance but there’s nothing wrong with your struts. Ended up having to get ball bearings replaced on rear driver side after going through this experience and honestly I THINK that WAS the original noise that NTB claimed were my struts. So looking back I think my struts were good all along. LOL 😆 off to the junkyard I go to find myself some gently used struts!!! It’s a shame that OEM struts aren’t sold through the dealer and other auto part stores.

 

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and comments!

 

Maybe the quickstruts kit. I have had monroe oespectrum struts/shocks on my non sport max for over 50K miles with no squeaks no pain.

 

Monroe is good stuff. OP's struts are fine. Something else is going on that he isn't able to make clear. He didn't do the work so he's not clear himself. All he was able to give us was his car "...makes a loud noise". At any rate, I can vouch for Monroe on a few different vehicles I've had. Never had a problem.

 

They are:

https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/part...ension,,54303K

https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/part...ension,,54302K

You're welcome

 

The OEM struts are designated driver side/passenger side, even have different part numbers. Are the Monroe struts the same way. If not maybe that is the reason for the noise.

 

Have you used the quick strut assembly or just the strut and reuse your old spring?

 

Just to state I just changed the struts/shocks kept oem springs. Local tire and suspension guys did the fronts I did the shocks.

 

Thanks for these part numbers, saved for future reference

 

Always I hear complains from complete kits (no matter what brand), I think aftermarket kits (probably sans the struts) contains mediocre mounts, springs or insulaters.

I think to avoid headaches it is always better to collect OEM parts separately when needed.

 

My experience with aftermarket shocks and struts has been that you cannot trust the sizing. If you do go aftermarket always closely compare the size of the OEM part to the new aftermarket part. I would go OEM but rather not pay Nissan prices ($200 per strut). I believe that is the main reason people buy aftermarket. In the past Nissan OEM shocks/struts were made by KYB or Sachs and you did not have to buy them from Nissan with their inflated prices. Does anyone know who manufactures the 7th gen shocks and struts for Nissan?

This Ebay sellers price seems more reasonable

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NISSAN-OEM-...5.c10#viTabs_0

 

Sachs makes them.

 

The Monroe struts that I purchased from Napa Auto were like $250 per strut so the cost wasn’t the issue finding a good product is. Thanks for your feedback.

 

I was commenting on the who the oem was for the struts. I have Monroe dampers on all 4 corners of my max.