General Maxima Discussion This a general area for Maxima discussions for all years. For more specific questions, visit one of the generation-specific forums.

Pro's and Con's of the famous multilink beam suspension

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 12:46 PM
  #1  
2K255HP's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 196
Pro's and Con's of the famous multilink beam suspension

Ne input into this topic i'm just kinda wondering what u guys thought were the pro's and con's about it

tried search but didn't come up with ne thing
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 02:25 PM
  #2  
Dave B's Avatar
Not DAVEB the parts guy
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,549
Pros-
1-Excellent cornering and camber on flat and smooth surfaces
2-Very lightweight
3-Simple design, yet very effective
4-More trunk room
5-Quicker turn-in
6-Generates better handling numbers on the skidpad and slalom than the 3rd gen...even though 3rd gen owners completely deny this

Cons-
1-Harsher ride
2-Rear end "wiggle" and pitching over uneven surfaces
3-Worse handling over bumpy surfaces
4-Higher NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) due to the tires being tied together
5-Doesn't take well to lowering springs (increases harshness, wiggle, and tendency to bottom out quicker)


Dave
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 02:43 PM
  #3  
Jeff92se's Avatar
I'm needing a caw
iTrader: (82)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 34,127
A rear suspension only an Astro van owner could love

Originally posted by Dave B
Pros-
6-Generates better handling numbers on the skidpad and slalom than the 3rd gen...even though 3rd gen owners completely deny this
Dave
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 03:42 PM
  #4  
Maximan190's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,996
From: long island, NY
Originally posted by Dave B

...even though 3rd gen owners completely deny this
..i dont
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 04:30 PM
  #5  
BrianV's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,597
I love people (especially 3rd genners) who love to talk about how crappy the multi-beam is.

Well first of all, we're FWD with like a 62/38 distibution. Frankly it doesn't even matter, it's rigid enough, we wouldn't see any additional performance gains from independent except on uneven and bumpy terrain (terrain I avoid speeding around).

Not a day goes by that I'm ever even the slightest bit ****ed about the multibeam, I wouldn't pay $1 to change it, but that's my preference. I had a GSR before that was independent rear end, didn't care about that either.

What I would change if I could is LSD options on 5spds in the USA, and of course RWD, now that's some worthwild stuff.
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 05:43 PM
  #6  
Lordrandall's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,851
From: Burbank, CA
Originally posted by Maximan190

..i dont
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 06:01 PM
  #7  
mzmtg's Avatar
Minister of Silly Walks
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 13,772
Originally posted by Dave B
Pros-
2-Very lightweight
Yes, but it has much higher unsprung weight than an independent setup.


Cons-
1-Harsher ride
4- Higher NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) due to the tires being tied together
Actually, the beam has relatively low NVH. This stems from the fact that it only has 5 attachment points to the body. This compared to at least 8 for a comparable IRS.
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 06:36 PM
  #8  
Frank Fontaine's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,879
Re: Pro's and Con's of the famous multilink beam suspension

Originally posted by 2K255HP
Ne input into this topic i'm just kinda wondering what u guys thought were the pro's and con's about it

tried search but didn't come up with ne thing
Pro: Nissan saved alot of money on this design. That translates to buying a flagship car at invoice nearly all the time, except for 1/2 year after a generation change comes out.

Con: An Oldsmobile Alero holds more g's on a skidpad than a Maxima, and is also quicker through the slalom.
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 08:40 PM
  #9  
dmontzsta's Avatar
Ford Only.
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,598
From: SoCal
Ok to the people that think the independent rear vs. beam doesnt matter since it is FWD *ahem* Brian *ahem* that is not true, you still have to turn correct? fwd or not you still have to turn correct? ok, so if the body is turning it is going to matter. It is good on "Flat" surfaces but start hitting the bumps like on a regular street and the independent will win.
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 09:06 PM
  #10  
AznWontonboy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,628
Okay so IRS helps better on bumpy roads, and the 4th-5th gens rear beam suspension does better on smooth roads; therefore, 4th-5th gens handle better at the track correct? No wonder I dont see many 3rd gens getting as much honor as 4th-5th gens... j/p.. all in good fun
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 09:11 PM
  #11  
dmontzsta's Avatar
Ford Only.
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,598
From: SoCal
Actually the track is bumpy, I have yet to drive on a smooth road also. Just because the beam handles well on the smooth surface doesnt mean IRS doesnt handle just as well...Every true sports car has independent
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 09:41 PM
  #12  
Dave B's Avatar
Not DAVEB the parts guy
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,549
Originally posted by dmontzmax
It is good on "Flat" surfaces but start hitting the bumps like on a regular street and the independent will win.
We're talking track, not street. Drag racing on a public street isn't the smartest thing to do, but it can be controlled relatively well if the road is wide open. Since the race is straight, there aren't many variables other than to go straight and accelerate. Racing on the street around turns sounds completely rediculous to me. Racing like this is far more dangerous than drag racing because you're introducing a lot more variables like bumps, braking, turning, blind spots, slick surfaces in turns, etc. Most tracks are pretty smooth therefore the beam isn't going to have a problem. It's only the big bumps that throw the beam out of control and bumps like that will toss a 3rd out of control too. IRS isn't the end all. I'd prefer to has an IRS over the beam, but the beam is all I have and I think it does exceptionally well. It's not like the beam on a minivan. Minivan beams don't have panhard rods, trailing arms, internal sway bars, or coil over shocks.


Dave
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 10:05 PM
  #13  
dmontzsta's Avatar
Ford Only.
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,598
From: SoCal
My fault dude, I thought he was talking the twisty track, not 1/4. The beam is more effective in the straight line, since it has less weight, just look at the mustang community but the twisties out here have pot holes, etc...so do some of the 1/4 tracks.
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 10:24 PM
  #14  
AznWontonboy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,628
Originally posted by dmontzmax
My fault dude, I thought he was talking the twisty track, not 1/4. The beam is more effective in the straight line, since it has less weight, just look at the mustang community but the twisties out here have pot holes, etc...so do some of the 1/4 tracks.
I was .....
Old Jul 15, 2002 | 10:40 PM
  #15  
Maximan190's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,996
From: long island, NY
Originally posted by Lordrandall


im serious
Old Jul 16, 2002 | 08:14 AM
  #16  
Lordrandall's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,851
From: Burbank, CA
Originally posted by Maximan190

im serious
So am I. Buy some new shocks/struts. Unless you have recently, if so, I don't know what to tell you.

Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BPuff57
Advanced Suspension, Chassis, and Braking
33
Apr 16, 2020 05:15 AM
knight_yyz
5th Generation Classifieds (2000-2003)
12
Nov 1, 2015 01:34 PM
JakeOfAllTrades
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
1
Sep 30, 2015 03:16 PM
Socalstillen
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Sep 26, 2015 12:01 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:44 PM.