Ben's Rear Shock Mounts Installed.. **Pics and Impressions**
 

I recently purchased Ben's Shock Mounts and I decided to install them today..
First off the mounts came packaged nicely in a bubble wrap envelope and everything was in its own package inside of the package(bolts and shock mounts all individually "bagged"). The mounts and hardware are a nice quality piece that came powdercoater a nice glossy black.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/PICT0023.jpg
The instructions provided were very easy to read/understand and made installation of the mounts very easy. (Granted I had done my suspension before, but for someone who has not they were very clear on what goes where). All together it took me 1 hour 30 mins to complete the install and that was taking my time.
Here are some pics of the mounts installed on my KYB AGX and Ground Control Coilover Setup:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/PICT0032.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/PICT0025.jpg
Here is the biggest part that shocked me was how much travel I regained:
Before Ben's Shock Mounts:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/PICT0028.jpg
After:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/PICT0027.jpg
*Notice the huge difference, roughly an inch more!*

Driving Impressions:

After the installation I brought the car back to the ground and I immediately noticed my rear sitting lower than before(roughly 1/4-1/2", Keep in mind I have coilovers). I then took the car out for a ride and immediately notice the rear in felt a lot smoother, so I headed right for the highway. The highway was my biggest concern, because of how my rear end would just "hop" like crazy on the bumps on the highway. This was reduced severely! The car is much more comfortable to drive especially on the highway. If you hit huge bumps you will still feel the rear end hop a little, but not to the extent of what it used to be.
Overall these strut mounts are a must for lowered Maxima's, and at the price(75+shipping) you really cannot go wrong. This is definitely one of my favorite mods I have purchased for my car, due to the fact I can get a more comfortable ride with the great look of being lowered.

Thanks Ben for making these possible for us 4th Gen's!

-Nick

Great write up and good post, this isnt something I had in mind when planning for my strut/spring upgrade, but I'll probably invest in these as well.

Who is Ben? is that Mzmtg?

Yes Ben is Mzmtg, and I would definately get them. He has a Group deal going on in the group buy forum.

-Nick

so would there be a benefit for people that have H&R and Illuminas? so basically what is the point of them?

The point of the shock mounts in to increase your spring travel in the rear, thus making a smoother ride.. I dont know how bad the H&R's and Illuminas ride, but this will help get rid of the rear end hop over bumps and such.. I have been lately thinking about the getting the Illumina/H&R setup, because I would like to get a nice smooth rid again, but at the same time still be lowered. If I do end up switching to H&R's I will be re-using these shock mounts.

-Nick

yeah the H&R setup is cool but iwant it lower so i am thinking for going to S-Techs.

:D :thumbsup: :ben:

is there a certain size drop that benifits most from these mounts, or is it equally benificial on any suspension? im looking at doing my suspension in the spring, most likely tokico struts and springs, and i want to do it once replace everything and be done with it. ill search for more info when i get a chance just looking for any current input. thanks

Can I "review" some? :goofy:

They are benficial no matter how low you go.

The guys at the shop I go to said these will do nothing. I showed them reviews, pictures, everything, they still say they do nothing. Does the rear suspension bottom out? They said that is the ony way they could make a difference.

leave that shop immediately

These simply give the shock shaft more travel. It only helps if you are already using all the travel and bottoming out.
I believe these are rip off's of something that was made a long time ago by some company. They seem to do the same thing, but they just look more simple. I dunno.

You call it rip-off, I call it improvement :D

They may not be familiar with the design of the OEM part. The multilink beam is pretty short on travel at stock ride height. Lowering any amount really compromises it.

Thats what they were talking about, we were trying to figure out if they were bottoming out. I'm gonna tell em to put em on anyway

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Cant see the pics man...

i didnt know it would lower the car an extra 1/4-1/2" Cause right now i have my rear sprints cut to make my drop dead even, so with these i would be "saggin" in the rear :(

ahh hells ill deal with the $hitty ride, lol

Ant

Ant- It only has that effect on coilovers.. I am pretty sure, someone correct me if I'm wrong..

-Nick

How much are they and do they make them for 5th gens?

These mounts do not affect the ride height on cars with regular coil springs. Only adjustable coilovers.

They are $75, and not available for 5th Gens.

If anybody wants to make these, they will cost like $10 to make.

MZMTG, don't you think the spring will come out if you were to make a sharp turn or do autocrossing? Theres nothing restrictiing the springs on the side?

I've been running them for almost 3 years with no problems what so ever.

Those Motivational Mounts are cool!

:laugh:

Ben,
how exactly does the spring sit on these at the top?...any pics by chance. Im seriously considering a set cause i cant take my harsh ride anymore!!! and im glad to hear it wont effect my ride height :thumbsup:

thanks,

Ant

The spring sits on these just like it does on the OEM mount. They look the same fomr below once installed. Sorry, I don't have a pic...

I saw the picture posted here and i don`t understand why you wouldn`t press the studs in the mount, the nut and bolt looks home made to me $75.00 is way to much money, i can make these at my sheetmetal shop for $4.00 for the set. JMO. to each his own.

It be better if he tac welded the bolts onto the plate. Make for much easier install

And? If you can do it them and post up here for a better price, if not they why even post that responce? Obviously people who have purchased them are happy with them so whats your beef?


easier to install the strut and spring? how much easier can it get??? :confused:


I hope to be ordering some next week :cool:

Yeah it real is not that big of a deal with the bolts.. I thought the same thing, but they still went in very easily.. As far as making your own..You could, but these are nicely powdercoated and very appealing to the eye.. Honestly I would rather spend a few extra bucks for a nice quality product

-Nick

Pressing the stud in is much better than a tack weld, and i don`t have a beef, i said to each his own but $75.00 is alot of money for those 2pcs metal, to someone who doesn`t know anything abouit metal those things are great and i hope he makes all the money in the world, cause he is laughing all the way to the bank, i`m putting my suspension in in a couple of days when i look at the stock one i will come up with a better design for cheaper. they will be made by an experienced sheet metal mechanic.

Well prior there was no rear shock mounds (atleast that I knew of) so people had to suffer in the back, now a $75 solution apears and people are happy with it so its worth the $75 even if those 2 pcs of metal seem simple to you, as a metal worker of course they will apear simple to you, but were not trying to pay $75 for something complicated in design, were paying $75 for a quality solution.

I'm not attacking you but now it seems like your attacking Mzmtg but if you really think you can come up with a better and more effecting design, then show us when you make your set, and post some up for sale for $40 shipped, if its as you say better and quality then I'm sure you'll be "laughing all the way to the bank" for something that cost you $4 to make, thats serious profits.

Just FYI, these aren't sheet metal. They are 10ga cold rolled steel, cut with a laser.

Like i said nothing against his product, i have 3 lasers i combo laser turret machine 3 vipros 358 kings 4 pega queens 1 poweder coat line with 6 available colors. saying its laser produced isn`t anything special.

Well, it isn't just drilled out and spray painted "sheet metal."

mzmtg, nothing against your product at all. i don`t believe i ever implied it was a hack job jig sawed and drilled.
i just saw 1 guy`s post saying it seemed a little high in price and i agreed. but since you are the only one offering the product you can name your price. i person challenged me to make a set like yours and ship it for $45.00 and still make a profit. which i know i can. so when i take my suspension apart in the upcoming weeks i will measure and make a set.
thier was never any intent on degrading your product.