My right left front suspension coil spring just broke. My mechanic advised me that Gabriel and Monroe is crap. Any suggestions for a QUICK ASSEMBLY ( Strut with Spring Attached)
brand that will last 30K ??? My mechanic quoted me a price of $1200 for both Assemblies plus replacing the stabilizing bar.

 

Get OEM spring and value advantage strut from dealer. Most of aftermarket parts are Chinese crap.

 

If you are in a "needs must" situation, and want something thatcwill last 30k, go with the monroe. Folks say the ride is stiffer but that is better than being down. If you have the money and time, i agee with "The Mahan" and advise you to get the oem springs and monroe struts.

 

Coil spring from Courtesy Nissan ($117)
https://www.courtesyparts.com/oem-pa...bC12Ni1nYXM%3D

 

All:

Just spoke to my mechanic, he is using KYB, New to me. I checked on the internet and they are supplied on all new HONDA
SUV and sports vehicle. Independent ratings are very good. Im going with it

 

Whatever works for your time, badget and needs, please provide feedback on them once you get your car on the road again, to help others in your same situation.

 

I had both front springs break about 2 month apart last year. I ended up getting a pair of Moog springs and Sachs struts with new nissan mounts and bumper stops.
Feels about the same as original.
Funny thing, both springs broke in the exact same spot. The first time happened while I was driving the car. I thought my tranny blew up due to amount of noise it made.

 

To the best of my knowledge, KYB doesn't make a front strut or front strut assembly for a 7th Gen

 

Vehicle Selected: 2011 Nissan Maxima

KYB Shocks and Struts are unavailable for the selected vehicle.

 

$34 dollars

https://www.ebay.com/itm/09-10-11-12...temCondition=4

Fire your mechanic, he has no clue what he's talking about. Book time for a strut is MAYBE a couple hours. Your sway bar is fine.

You're welcome.

 

That's incorrect. For anyone interested......KYB rear shocks are available for both Sport and non-Sport trim.

P/N 349139 for non-Sport
P/N 349075 for Sport

 

This was direct off KYB site searching for front struts. Not a hater I have full set on my 280z.

 

KYB is available for REAR, not the front. OE posted on the front spring breaking.
I have KYBs on the rears and Sachs on the front.

 

I need front struts. Where did you get your sachs struts. I cannot find them anywhere!

 

RockAuto has them, at least for my 2009.
I actually have one unused Sachs strut, arrived with bent bracket, so if you want to save some $$, pm me.

 

I don't think the 2009 strut fits the 2010-14 max...?

 

There are two suspension types, Sport and Non-Sport.
I have non-sport suspension. The Sachs struts are compatible to 09-13 Maxima models, according to RockAuto compatibility chart.
You can always or cross reference the part numbers.

 

that's true. However, my max is a 2014, & they're a different configuration. :-(

 

Get some used oem with low miles or brand new ones, or wonder why the ride quality stinks, my 2 cents, good luck.

 

I'm aware of the OP's issue, and that KYB doesn't make a front strut or strut assembly for the 7th Gen, My posts were not intended to be critical of anyone, rather to be factual and accurate that only REAR shocks are available from KYB. That's ALL I was pointing out. So, if his mechanic is telling him he'll be using KYB for the front, the OP may want to know that's not what he'll be getting.

I've had KYB products on other vehicles, and been quite satisfied with the fit, reliability, and ride quality. Since they don't make front replacement struts for our cars, I went with OEM. When I get around to replacing them, I'll probably replace the coil springs with Moog as I've found their stuff to be better than OEM.

If anyone needs a current Rock Auto discount code, PM me, I have a couple that are still valid.

 

CAPTIVE8:

You are correct. KYB only has the rear shocks available for 7th Gen. My mechanic dupped me. He put on NAPA Proformer, made by GABRIEL. Not the best strut .
Interestingly, NAPA charges $150/ea. for the the Proformer, and $262.99 for the Monroe.
He advised me that the Proformer was made by KYB. Hopefully I'll get 50-60K miles out of these GABRIELS. Looking for a new mechanic.

 

Never go to a mechanic who forces parts on you, get your parts yourself and have him change them. And don't fall in the "shop warranty for part" BS. Good part doesn't fail (very rare) unless mechanic f up...
My 02 cents!

 

Unless it's a knowledgeable, reputable mechanic. They know from experience where to source quality parts they can stand behind. Same goes for most service industry policy. Electricians, appliances, plumbers, etc.. Most of these businesses don't allow you to buy your own parts as most of the time they can't warranty them. The trouble and frustration is finding good businesses to deal with that aren't out for a quick buck only. My father owns a plumbing and construction company. If you call with a service issue and tell him you have your own parts, he'll end the conversation and won't even take the job.

 

And that's like what percentage of shops around? 5 percent? Who is to judge this is a reputable shop and who's not?

The MAJOR reason of shops forcing parts and not accepting custom is profit. They can't make as much as they wish if they charge labor only. They go buy inferior quality parts (as in OP situation) and charge OEM prices (at least discount OEM prices, if you know where to get OEM parts for reasonable price) for them.

 

I'm not saying it's easy, especially these days, and the way you describe policy these days has certainly become more common. That's what's sad about it. It didn't used to be this way though. Standards were much higher back in the day.

 

I was not going to comment on your original post. Just no sense arguing over internet.
You are painting the picture black and white, and its really not. Its grey.
I used to think like you, until I started doing car work as a hobby.
I am not going to argue about competence of mechanics, I do what I do for exact reason. Except it took me doing it, to see the bigger picture of how the automotive industry works in general.

Yes, absolutely, shops mark up the parts and it becomes part of the profit, but what is wrong with it? Here is what you get when the shop bought the part.
Somebody needed to research, find part numbers, call and order, or go and pickup the parts. It takes time to do all of those things. You also get a warranty on the parts and labor.
If the shop has to redo the job even once, they will lose money on the job, but you as a consumer will win. The shop needs to cover their bases, because these things happen.

If you want particular brand used, you can absolutely ask a shop to purchase the specific brand and use it in a repair, if you are so inclined. If the shop is reasonable, they should have no issue,
unless you want parts that they had a bad experience with or are a dealer.

Speaking of dealers, I am currently repairing my climate controlled seat, which dealer had a go at, while the car was under warranty.
Rear seat rail bolts are overtorqued to ****, every harness clip broken and wires just hang there. Mechanic who worked on it had no pride in their work.

Best advice I can give anybody on this board is to learn to wrench.

 

Indeed.....very well said.

 

BTW, have others on here had similar experience as Maxud with Moog springs? Should I cheap out and buy them or splurge for OEM?? I've had good luck with Moog springs in other applications, but not on a Max....??

 

Not sure what you mean in terms of my experience?
Both original springs failed for me, so I just bought a brand new set of front moog springs.
Are you asking if somebody had their original springs fail or if others have purchased Moog springs.
So far, they have been just fine, I dont expect them to fail anytime soon, but if/when they do, lifetime warranty will provide a free replacement.

 

I meant in terms of ride quality and ride height... Do the Moog springs seem comparable to OEM?

If so, will probably spring for a pair of the Moogs

 

yes to both questions