Has anyone tried to install, or have installed adjustable coil-over shocks in their '86 Maximas? I was checking out Charles 2nd gen on Yahoo and noticed someone had put a control bar across his struts in his engine bay (i know the name of it, its at the tip of my tounge).
If anyone has done it, post it. I'd like to see how the car handles, the quality of the drive etc....... I know they didn't make them for our year model, but I gotta believe someone tried.

 

Avalon42 and Nismo87SE both did it. I know Nismo87 gave his to max88q. Basically both of them got the FTSB from another car and modified it so it would fit. I think Nismo used on from either a 3rd gen max, or a newer SE-R, and Avalon did his from an Altima. (correct me if I'm wrong). If your going to do it, watch out with the EGR valve, it may get in the way. As for how a car handles, it's the same as any car. The more you stiffen the frame and body, the better it will handle, and for our cars, this mod can make a dramatic effect on handling. I myself am thinking about doing this mod, as well as adding an Addco RSB (where can I get this BTW?). Also anyone know where I can get a hold of some front and rear suspension bushings? You can hear my suspension making clunking noises and I'm pretty sure its these bushings.

S

 

First, I think he was asking about swapping his struts for a set of coil-overs - which whould likely be VERY difficult, although not impossible...never heard of anyone trying it, though.

As for the bushings, you can get the control arm bushings from most any parts house - go to http://www.partsamerica.com - as they sell them as the set for the front and rear bushing for each side, so you'll need two sets. They run for about the price that Nissan wants for just the rear bushing, and it is best to replace both front and rear at the same time. This project is not an easy one, but it you choose to undertake it, let me know, and I should be able to give you some pointers...I just did mine about 4 months ago. As for the sway bar bushings, go to Autozone, and buy some universal poly bushings and some universal poly endlink bushings. I think you'll put about $25 - $30 into the poly bushings, and the control arm bushings'll set you back about $25 - $30 per side for them.

As for the rear, I'm looking into that - you can get the bushings for the lateral arms, and so forth. In fact, all bushings EXCEPT the bushings in the main round end-head of the sway bar can be replaced fairly easily, with a press, and some heat...to do the sway bar right, it would be best to spring for the Addco bar, which you can buy directly from them for about $150, or so...

Here's a link that will help with the front control arm bushings - wish I'd found it before I did mine...it is for a 3rd gen, but the procedure is exactly the same...

http://www.4dsc.com/articles/suspens..._bushing.shtml

And here's a link for the rear sway bar, as the installation is almost identicale there, as well...

http://www.4dsc.com/articles/suspens...co/addco.shtml

I hope this helps, man...