I need to replace the struts on my 94 GXE and was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on some reasonably priced struts. Any good web sites for buying these struts? I would really appreciate any advice!! Does any certain name brand come stocked on 3rd gen. maximas. Thanks, Truemax

 

Tokico I think were stock.
and I sell all sorts of struts
as many here will tell you

 

i would advise going for kyb gr2 struts. they are better quality and usually cheaper than tokico blues. and from experience i've seen many more ppl complain about tokicos blowing on them and haven't heard a single complaint about the kyb gr2 struts.

 

Ok, here is your KYB complaint.

I had Tokico on my old '93. I've got Koni on my '92SE and I have KYB on the '89. The KYB are with stock springs, the Tokico were with SE Stock spings and the Koni are with Eibach.

Koni: Very stiff - but adjustable. Takai desu yo! ($120/per strut)

Tokico: Stiffer than stock, feels great with the stock SE springs. No problems after 20K. They are still on the car, riding great. My dad owns the car now, and I do get to ride in it from time to time.

KYB: These cost me under $200 for the set, and I think you get what you pay for. They are waaaaayyyyy to soft when its like 50 degrees and warmer. Then when its like 30, they are harsh, but don't provide any more performance. A quick lane change at 60 MPH will scare the hell out of you. TOO much body roll. In a nut shell, unless you cannot afford the better shocks, don't buy these. I've got 5K on them and I could through them out tomorrow.


My friend has had 2 Maximas. A '94GXE that he put Tokicos on and a '92SE with KYB and Sprint springs. The SE is tolerable, and I think that is because it is lowered. I don't think the stuts will last that long with the 1.6 drop though. He will put the Tok's from his wrecked '94 on later this year.

 

I'm High-jacking this thread! somewhat

I'm looking at getting some used Tokicos w/ 20k on them....seals are still good...for $100 shipped. Is this a good deal?

ok im finished

 

As long as they are good, I'd go for it. I'd almost be interested in replacing the KYB's with such a deal.

 

I've had Eibach/KYB's for about 6 months. The ride is nice and I have no complaints. I bought them from Taylor Automotive for 210 shipped.

 

Contrary to what todamax said, I have a '93 SE. I have the Sprint/KYB combo and don't really like it. I would love to put the Koni's on it but it is quite the project not to mention the $$$. I *will* be putting at least Tokico on it.

 

jeez already. I need a score card to keep track of all these third gens. You have 3 and I have 3, and my parents have one....

 

I called some local shops today about installing struts i provide. Some wouldn't even quote me cause I wouldnt get the parts through them. Of the ones who would, $300 was the cheapest quote I got! Tell me thats not what I should expect! I don't trust myself to do it, and I dont really know anyone who can do it for me. Any suggestions?

 

$300 isn't all that far off... Not around here anyway. Its a 4 hour job and 4 x $75 = $300

Look in your the localized Maxima forum and see if there is anyone in your locality that can help.

 

There aren't too many struts option for a 3rd Gen max anyway. The top ones has always been either Koni, Tokiko blues, or Kyb Gr2. For the price and installation hassles, I would go with either Tokiko Blues or Kyb Gr2 depending where you get them and whoever offers less.

 

todamax - you gonna be free this week?

 

You planning on driving up thissa way?

 

Well, yes and no. You find a warm spot around here and yeah, I'd work on it. I hate freezing my *** off for my car let alone someone elses....

What do you expect from a computer guy?

 

Naw not really, but if the $/hr charge was right, i'd make the drive just to save on the labor. I like to drive

And no I don't know anyone witha garage in your area

 

Define price being right.
I have a friend who does work out of his garage.
He may be able to work with ya.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the imput. This will help a lot in getting my new struts. A friend of mine is going to help me put them on. I also have the Chilton's for my maxima. Thanks again for some great advice, Truemax

 

hey mr internetautomar, i looked on your list of parts for the suspension and i have a question. along with the struts do you have to get the mounting kit? and on a difficulty scale how hard is it to install the struts yourself on the front/rear? thanks

 

MR????
You don't have to get the mounts, But I highly recommend that you do.
Especially if they've never been replaced.
If your car has been in florida it's whole life it should be fairly easy. (no rusted bolts)
The only "non-standard" tool you'll need is a spring compressor. That you can get from virtually any parts store.
If you can change your brake pads you can do your struts.
so I'd put it about a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10
But that really doesn't say much.
I've had to do many jobs the hard way so I'd consider struts easy.

 

Internetautomar: I'd like to do the struts on my 93, I'll see about getting the struts and h/w kit from you. Question: I use to replace the springs in my old GM cars (442,Chevelle etc) by putting a floor jack under the lower control arm and releasing pressure by dropping the control arm. I found it far easier than using a spring compressor. Can the Max struts be taken off and put on this way?

 

The front struts are too long uncompressed to use that method. Autozone will rent you the compressors for the cost of a deposit. The rear you have to take everything all apart to get the "glad" nut off, so there is no 'easy' way to do those either.

 

I have found out that just a strut job can end up being a *lot* of work that was never counted on. Like that stupid "glad" nut on the '89. And *yes* it was the nut that was stupid.

 

Well, Chicagoland is about 5 hours away..so thats to far for me. But I'd be willing to travel a good 3 hours if I could save half of that 300 smackers. my zip is 50613 if anyone within 3 hours of me is willing to help w/ my struts

 

You have no idea how stupid one of those can be....

 

Is this for all 4? I'd buy that

Was that $210 for just the Eibachs, or for both the Eibach and KYB's? All 4 corners?

Personally I have some Eibachs in the garage, At first I wasnt going to replace my springs, but Matt told me that the springs really will stiffen up the ride and make it feel alot tighter, so I went with the Eibachs because they offer the least ammount of drop.

I have 2 rear Tokicos coming, and I am going to buy Tokicos for the front from a local member. I'd like Koni's, but it wouldnt be a wise move for me right now (too expensive).

Also you might want to replace your control arms while your at it.

 

tokico, koni, control arms, kyb, eibach
Hmm...
I recognize those names for some reason.
oh yeah I sell em'

 

just for the KYB's. i bought the eibachs used.

 

IMHO, my KYB's suck with an aggressive drop, I'm going Tokico this summer... todamax is right on about them.

 

Ive ridden in and drove all the major combo's. A KYB/Sprint combo is the worst.