I have developed a rattle in the upper section of the passenger front wheel well. More than likely it is an upper bushing. So, being all that has to be yanked out to fix, I want all new struts, upper bushings,(possibly springs?)all the way around.

Being this is a GLE, I want to keep a nice ride, but improve the handling a bit. What would the best route be to take?

I was thinking of OE SE springs/struts. I read that Sprint is very rough, and a 2" drop. I do not want to lower that low (we get alot of road debris and critters around here I need to straddle), and have a harsh ride. I do alot of 3 hour, one way trips on our rough Oklahoma roads, interstates and some unpaved roads.

How are KYB AGX struts? The drop on those is a hair over an inch, not too bad.

Has anyone converted GLE suspension to anything firmer? Any suggestions?

Thank you.

 

Search....

H&R is pretty good I hear.

 

So no one know if OE SE Struts and mounts will fit under a GLE. Search results find people with similar questions, but no real answers.

 

JettmiesterMax-

If you searched (and I do not doubt that you did), I am certain that you saw the 1/2 dozen times that I asked this. What I learned is that while the fronts are the same from SE Autos and GLEs, the rears are not, so SE rear suspension parts might help out a little bit. ALSO, my thoughts are as follows:

Given the fact that SE 5-speeds weigh LESS in the front, supposedly there are different part numbers for the 5-Speed SEs than there are for the SE (and, logically, the GLE)Autos. I HYPOTHESIZE that the front componentry from a 4th Gen SE 5-speed would lower the front of a GLE JUST a bit, and would stuiffen up the ride. While you were at it, you could also use the front swaybar from an SE (w/ the bushings), because I hear that it is thicker than the GLE/GXE front swaybar.

Noone can confirm this, but it is a theory of mine. This COULD explain some differing results of drops from aftermarket springs ("I got 1.3 out of H&Rs" v. "I got 1.5 out of H&Rs"). I have tried to see if there is a pattern there. Logically, if there is only 1 H&R spring for 5-speeds and autos, given the fact that autos weigh more, they would get (marginally) more drop up front than a 5-speed would. I used H&Rs merely as an example here, by the way.

Does what I said make any sense? If I can get my hands on a cheap set of SE 5-speed springs, I am going to try it, just for fun.

 

I have a GXE and ive just set it up with tokico shock/struts and some drop zone springs... the ride has deff. become stiffer but i also have 19 wheels so that doesnt help.. When i put the stock 15 back on for a day the ride was surprisingly smooth.. hope it helps..

www.geocities.com/ssilva420/To_The_Max

 

Check the top nut that holds the strut piston to the upper strut mount. It's the one in the center of the mount looking from the engine compartment. I bet ya it came lose. Just snug it up nice and tight.

If you want to keep a nice ride but improve your handling quite a bit, don't lower your car! Get the KYB AGX struts and keep your OE springs. Deal with the gap, you'll love the ride!!

 

Locating SE parts to install n a GLE is not worth the effort. First OE parts almost always cost more than after-market parts. Second, there isn't enough difference between the SE and GLE setups that you would notice a difference.

That said, I think your best option would be to get KYB AGX struts all around. This will give you much tighter handling and sharper transitional response. But, keeping the OE GLE springs will keep the ride smooth. The adjustability of the AGX will let you tailor the ride and handling to exactly what you want.

 

That is what I was wanting to know. Thanks so much. I'll keep my springs and put the KYB AGX on (what is the best adjustment on them?). Do the struts come with upper mounts?

Like I said, I do not want to lower. Just improve handling a bit and keep great quality. I'll check that bolt after work, thanks for that tip, I did have a mechanic check everything fo the rattle, and he could not locate the rattle to fix it, so if that is it, I lost confidence in him! LOL

I appreaciate it very much.

Thanks

 

Subj: Nissan Parts
Date: 8/15/2002 10:42:32 AM Central Standard Time
From: tnndave@hotmail.com (David Burnette)
To: jettmiester@cs.com
Here's the prices you needed-

Front struts- $71.99 each
Front mounts- $32.56 each
Front boot/bumper- $11.40 each
Front spring insulators- $9.81 each

Rear struts- $59.94 each
Rear boot/bumper- $22.63 each
Rear spring insulators- $5.79 each

That's all I can think of!

Thanks!
David Burnette, Town North Nissan


Not to bad with discounts and everything. This is for every needed part for all new all the way around.

I will just get everything here and the KYB AGX instead of the Nissan Strut.



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Not to argue the point, but I have had offers for the stuff for around $50 for 4 springs and the rear struts. Noone wants to give up the SE FSB, but I can do that @ a junkyard. If I had the $, I would just go w/ aftermarket and keep the stock springs, BUT I WOULD like to have less gap up front, which is why I want to TRY to lower the front w/ SE 5-speed springs...

 

If you want to keep the GLE ride stay with stock springs and go with KYB GR-2 struts, and get a FSTB and RSB. You will not believe the differnce they make.

Chris

 

Forget about the SE FSB and add a RSB.

Maximas already have way too much understeer. To reduce understeer, you loosen the front and tighten the rear.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by njmaxseltd

Check the top nut that holds the strut piston to the upper strut mount. It's the one in the center of the mount looking from the engine compartment. I bet ya it came lose. Just snug it up nice and tight.

Nope, she wasn't loose. Sometime I get the noise, and sometimes I dont. When it is bad, you can almost feel it on the passenger side.

 

I think GLE already has a rear stabilizer.

 

For best handling to comfort ratios do this

KYB AGX's all around


Stock Springs all around. The SE springs differ only in the rear vs the GLE springs ( unless the SE is 5-sp) The rear SE springs are slightly stiffer then your GLE ones so you might want to see if someone on the org has a set they're selling.

KEvin

 

We all do. But, adding an aftermarket unit to supplement the OEM piece will reduce understeer a lot.

 

Here is a new question- Are the STRUTS different (front or rear) between the SE and GLE models? We knwo about the springs, but I never thought to check the struts.

 

I beliebe so. THe part numbers differ and when I was shoppnig around for a cheap suspension, I ws told that the rear struts were stiffer as well.

Kevin

 

Not sure if there are any diffs in the stock GLE vs SE struts. I do know that they are tokicos. And not that great. If you want a non-adj strut go with KYB GR-2.