mikese

On a scale of 1-10 (1 being easy and 10 being difficult), how hard is it to install H&R and KYB AGX on a 95-99 maxima? Or any other springs... I am about to put them on my 98 max and I have all the tools required but I wanted opinions from members who did theirs. Thanks.

Kevincleff

iTrader: (3)

it makes it a lot easier if you have a lift plus air tools and someone to help you. otherwise it can be an all day affair depending on your skill level. i have heard of guys completing the whole cra in or around 2 to 3 hours others as much as eight.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

4 .. if you know how to pull nuts and bolts and you have the right tools.. its realatively easy just time consuming.. also remember to rent a spring compressor from yoru local auto parts store.. and have a friend help you.. and remember to line the strut up right when you put it back together.. with the "OUT" part facing the outside of the wheel well

Vyrus

iTrader: (4)

4.2342958769187651976347986287369487659287345
-Cyrus

Newman

iTrader: (3)

if you have access to a lift it will make things easier.

if you have access to air tools it will make things even easier.

if you have a friend or two that are willing to help you it will be even easier.

i recommend getting two spring compressors. i realized if i had more than 1 it could have saved a bunch of time. (so someone can compress the next spring while you decompress the spring you just completed)

optimal set up = lift, air tools, 2 spring compressors, and at least 1 friend.

Chris91SE

iTrader: (1)

Comapared to a 3rd gen 1

nah it's about a 4 on a 4th gen

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

you don't say?

Chris91SE

iTrader: (1)

i DO say

mikese

Well, I don't have a lift but I have the compressors and a friend . Anyway I have 2 choices, pay $125 or install them myself for less. I have a Haynes manual and it's pretty detail. We have wed and thurs off so if we do it it should be plenty of time any suggestions ????

Vyrus

iTrader: (4)

Just pay $125. Most people pay a lot more so it's worth it for them to just do it themselves but for that price it's not bad.
-Cyrus

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

do it yourself and get intouch with your car.. you will feel more acomplished after you are done than having someone else do it.. that is a cheap price though

mikese

Ok, for you guys who did the install, how long did it take? I look at it this way. I spend 25 dollars to rent the compressors so I will save $100 for beer and some grub afterwards.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

took me 6 hours.. thats because the grease monkey's are town fair tire decided to over tighten my lugs.. and i had to spend 3 hours taking off the lug nut with a dremmel

other wise it took 3 hours ...

Chris91SE

iTrader: (1)

Accomplish \Ac*com"plish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accomplished, p. pr. & vb. n. Accomplishing.] [OE. acomplissen, OF. accomplir, F. accomplir; L. ad + complere to fill up, complete. See Complete, Finish.] 1. To complete, as time or distance.

That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. --Dan. ix. 2.

He had accomplished half a league or more. --Prescott.

2. To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise.

This that is written must yet be accomplished in me. --Luke xxii. 37.

3. To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.

The armorers accomplishing the knights. --Shak.

It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it. --Wilkins.

These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman. --Cowden Clarke.

4. To gain; to obtain. [Obs.] --Shak.

Syn: To do; perform; fulfill; realize; effect; effectuate; complete; consummate; execute; achieve; perfect; equip; furnish.

Usage: To Accomplish, Effect, Execute, Achieve, Perform. These words agree in the general idea of carrying out to some end proposed. To accomplish (to fill up to the measure of the intention) generally implies perseverance and skill; as, to accomplish a plan proposed by one's self, an object, a design, an undertaking. ``Thou shalt accomplish my desire.'' --1 Kings v. 9.

He . . . expressed his desire to see a union accomplished between England and Scotland. --Macaulay. To effect (to work out) is much like accomplish. It usually implies some degree of difficulty contended with; as, he effected or accomplished what he intended, his purpose, but little. ``What he decreed, he effected.'' --Milton.

To work in close design by fraud or guile What force effected not. --Milton. To execute (to follow out to the end, to carry out, or into effect) implies a set mode of operation; as, to execute the laws or the orders of another; to execute a work, a purpose, design, plan, project. To perform is much like to do, though less generally applied. It conveys a notion of protracted and methodical effort; as, to perform a mission, a part, a task, a work. ``Thou canst best perform that office.'' --Milton.

The Saints, like stars, around his seat Perform their courses still. --Keble. To achieve (to come to the end or arrive at one's purpose) usually implies some enterprise or undertaking of importance, difficulty, and excellence.

mikese

wow chris, how long did that takes?

XXXL Cracker

iTrader: (3)

Make sure you have your assorted rubber(s) to replace...dust boots etc.

My dust boots were tore up.

DL

95maximase

make sure you have new dust boots. the other rubber parts are fine. If you're handy with cars which it sounds like you are, got air tools this is any easy install. I've lowered many japanese imports and this is a pretty easy job. I say it's a 9 out of 10. I do with agree with the other posts, if you want it done right you should pay to have it done. If you want personal satisfaction from working on your own car, I say do it your self. I did my car at a friends shop using his lift and tools and did it in 2.5 hours. My friend helped a little just to thread bolts as I passed things through. I will tell you that I used a really good spring compressor. It was floor mounted and had a crank to turn the spring down. I think the kind they rent is sometimes micky mouse. Good luck have fun. Remember to wear protective clothing and shoes, possibly eye wear.

mikese

so if it's a 9 out of 10, it is really hard??? Maybve i is a do it yourself but I know it will take 4ever...

NickStam

iTrader: (3)

Just make sure that you add in time for breaking tools, and getting mad at stubborn bolts.

i999Maximagirl

iTrader: (2)

power tools are your friend

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

Just did it this weekend. I'd say it's a 5 or 6. It's not hard, just time consuming. With learning and multiple stupid errors it took from 8:30am - 2:00pm and that includes a lunch break, and some BS time with friends. That also included replacing the bushings on the front sway bar.

All in all it wasn't hard. I had a friend help out, which is great.
Thing to note:

* Liquid Wrench is your friend
* Loosen the piston nuts BEFORE your remove the struts from the car
* Make sure the strut hat is facing OUT (there is writing)
* Don't forget the Red gasket that goes with the front struts before you put them back on the car
* If you have AGX, the rears need to have the dials facing towards the center of the car
* Sockets you'll need - 19mm, 17mm, 14mm, 12mm. They should be a little deep or else you won't be able to get a few of the bolts off.


Overall it wasn't hard. I'd say if I had to do it again and didn't make the same dumb mistakes, it would be a two/three hour job.

JAY25

iTrader: (38)

for you to install I say 8, I did that setup two weekends ago took me 3/5 hours the 30Mins was becuase I compressed the spring a litttle too much so there was alot of play and it was not easy to loosen the spring compressor since it had little space. but got it done. Rears are very easy

mikese

Thanks Bryan! Three questions. DO you have any suspension noise and what would the liquid wrench be used for??? And a stupid one. Is it safe it uncompress the oem springs to to the compressor form my H&R?? If so, what is a safe method.

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

So far no noise.
I did get new parts:
http://www.bryanb.com/site/maxima/parts/parts.html
I replaced these parts, I reused the front spring isolators and wrapped the upper coils with the wire wrap.

At the bottom in the picture - http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=72678
FRONT:
Strut Bearing is #4
REAR:
Rear Shock Bushing is #3
Isolation Bushing is #7

And you can see the wire wrap used on the upper coils.
Liquid Wrench is similar to WD40, spray all the bolts and let it sit for a while.

hokiemax

iTrader: (2)

I don't mean to offend you, but if you want it done right, I say you do it yourself. A big tuner shop that does 5 spring jobs a day will do it right, I think. But Billy Bob's gas station with some airtools WILL NOT do the job right. On a scale of 1-10, I say this is about 6,7 (if its your first ti me). After you've done it once, I say 4. It's not rocket science, but there is extensive grunt work involved, and that should count as difficulty level too.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

very true.. so very true.. this is a must when you are thinking about your car

mikese

I did not get new suspension parts. I have 53K on my 98 max, should I look into it. I know about the spring wrap and I'm definitly getting them.

mitch33x

iTrader: (5)

I's say the install is about a 5, it should take about 4 hours to do. Took me longer since my spring compressor was crap. Do it yourself and gain the satisfaction...

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

Things to maybe get:
- Front Strut Bearings, one of mine went bad after 65K. ($20/ea)
- Dust Boots, all four of mine were trashed. The KYB dust boots are about the same price as OEM. They already have the bump stops cut so it's one less thing to worry about. ($60/all four)
- ES FSB Endlink bushings, one of my rubber bushings was starting to crack. ($10/all four)

blizz20oma

iTrader: (1)

Thanks you guys (and gals ) for all the suspension information past and present you've provided in this thread and in that other comprehensive 4th-gen thread. You might encourage me to do the job myself when the time comes next year (hopefully I'll have tools by then).

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

NickStam has a very detailed writeup on changing suspension.. if he sends it to me i can host it

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

Something like this?

http://www.performanceix.com/how-to/...print_koni.php

95maximase

sorry I was up late last night posting. I meant to say it's a 1/10. It's very easy. Yes get spring wrap or isolation sleeves. You don't need new strut bearings, or the other rubber stuff. good luck