My car needs new Struts all the way around. I asked locally, and I can get Monroe Sensa-Trac struts for $500, plus labor (I will probably do it myself to save $300) Almost $900 at sears, or I can buy the struts at Checker Auto for $500. I was told the Monroe struts are very good. Online, I can get the Tokico Illumina's for $438 all 4 struts shipped. Which would be a better all around strut and be durable at the same time? Also, my 02 Maxima GLE has 182k miles, and I am thinking that maybe I need to replace the springs also because of the high mileage. How hard of a job is it to replace these struts on a 5th Gen Maxima? I do have plenty of tools including air tools, so I'm thinking I can do it myself without too much trouble. Any thoughts? If I replace the springs, should I go with the OEM springs or aftermarket?

 

Very few people on here use Monroe, but they are known as more of an OEM replacement brand AFAIK. The Illuminas are very popular here and 5 way adjustable. Very good struts.

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaHandling

The springs are fine as far as durability as long as there is no signs of rust or anything, but there are a lot of options for aftermarket if you want more performance.

After I wrote all of that, you might want to use the free search. Strut change is not that hard, FSM, haynes, write ups on here.

And did they take off the post count requirement?

 

He's a donating member.

Go here for a really nice write-up: http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/strut_install.html

It's a really easy install. As was mentioned, I'd suggest Illuminas but unless you want a more performance oriented ride there should be no need to replace the springs.

 

Nice. Thanks for the quick responses guys. I am leaning toward Illuminas with H&R springs after reading a few other posts. I'll decide by tomorrow and order my parts.

 

Your ride quality will suffer a little with H&Rs versus stock, but ride height will look nice. H&Rs are one of the best and most comfortable lowering springs so that's a good choice if you want to drop a little. Just keep in mind bumps will be a little rougher.

Illuminas are by far the better strut choice. A strong, tried and true strut, and it's adjustable. Do not buy Monroe, especially at that price.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

It looks like H&R also makes a spring that is closer to the OEM springs with a slight drop over stock. Here is a link to when I can get them locally: http://www.wheelspecialists.com/inde...on=hrs_springs

Here is a description:

OE Sport Springs

H&R OE Sport Springs lower your vehicle subtly, giving it a slightly more aggressive stance without radically changing its appearance. Designed to enhance front-to-rear balance and street handling performance, OE Sport Springs take the "wallow" out of the stock suspension, providing a more controlled feel and improved ride characteristics. All this while retaining the ride comfort you're accustomed to with added confidence.

I might go for these springs with Illuminas because I would like to retain the ride comfort of my GLE.

 

I wouldn't count on keeping a GLE-smooth ride with ANY drop whatsoever, but those OE Sport springs sound like they'll be as close as you can possibly come.

 

Just an FYI...
Monroe shocks/struts are absolute JUNK. doesn't matter what car or what type. they're crap. stay away at all costs. I wouldn't even put them on my Grandma's USS Grand Marquis.

 

uhmm yeah, illuminas and monroe should never compared personally i would never buy monroes, there about the same price as aftermarekt struts and illuminas/agx/hp/gr2/koni are much better the monroe.

 

I have just ordered my Tokico Illuminas and plan on installing them myself, then immediately taking the car to have a wheel alignment done. As for springs, I am not sure yet, but I am leaning toward going with the H & R OE Sport springs. I hate to keep bothering with questions, but I have one more.... How should I measure to make sure my car is a stock height? I bought my car used and I believe it's all stock, but when I look at it now, It seems like it may already be lower than stock. It just looks like it has a drop on it. Where and how should I measure for stock height? It is a 2002 GLE

 

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html

There are a bunch of measurements. Measure from the ground to the top of the wheel well.

Keep in mind that your auto will be slightly lower in the front since it's heavier than the stock 6-speed listed.

 

I measured the height from the floor to the top of my wheel well, and got the following: 27 3/4" Front, and 27" Front. I called and found out that H&R makes sport springs for Maxima's, but they do not make the OE version. I am considering getting a set of OEM SE Springs to put on my GLE. I am guessing that the SE springs would be softer than the H&R sport springs. Any thoughts? Is there a very noticeable difference in comfort and handling from SE to GLE? I am not sure whether or not my springs are sagging because of the 182K miles, but they may be. I am going to search the forum classifieds to see who's selling stock SE/GLE springs off a low mileage car. Thanks to all who have posted. You have been very helpful.

 

OEM SE springs would definitely make a big difference, but not nearly enough to justify the price and effort IMO when you can have H&Rs -- which get rave reviews on the 5.5 gen -- for just a little more money and the same amount of effort.

The thing to remember is that although the H&Rs will make you feel bumps more (even more than SE springs), they will also keep the car MUCH more in control so it doesn't wallow and pitch and rock side-to-side as much. So, while the ride will definitely be firmer, it won't necessarily be "worse" overall.

 

If you want a very slight drop in front I'd go for a set of OEM SE springs from a 5-speed. On the 4th gen at least, the springs for 5-speeds give a slight drop on autos due to the ~70lbs of extra weight up front.

 

I have decided on the H&R Sport Springs with Tokico Illumina's. Thanks to all who responded. I will update once I have them installed and maybe post a photo.

 

monroe is like a oem that is true

 

Yeah but ours are tokico OEM.

 

Monroe is definitely not as good as OEM.

 

Thank You and Very good point. I must admit joining this forum and donating was very well worth it. So far, it has been extremely helpful to be a member.

I finally decided on the H&R Sport springs and Tokico Illumina's for my car. I completed the install on Tuesday Night, and took it in for a 4-wheel alignment Wednesday morning. I set the Illumina's to 2 on the front and 3 on the rear for starters. Very slight adjustments were needed for alignment on the front and none needed for the rear. Now that I have driven the car with the new struts and springs, I have no regrets. I will gladly trade the better handling for the slightly smoother ride of the stock suspension. In my opinion, the overall ride is better on my car now than it was with the stock springs/struts. It looks good with the drop to boot! I would definitely recommend this setup to others who want a good compromise between smooth ride and improved handling.

 

Glad you found something you like.

I have yet to see that combo fail to please on a 5.5 gen...