I took my 95 GLE to the local Goodyear shop because I was hearing sounds from the front of the car while turning. I was told I need new front struts and mounts. I don't know anything about suspension set-up. They wanted me to purchase Monroe Sensatrac struts. I'm hoping for alternatives and advice from fellow Org'ers. Does it make sense to replace springs at the same time? I'm also looking for good alternatives for struts. Thanks.

 

all this depends on what your looking to accomplish, and how much you want to spend.
are you planning on changing all 4? are you planning on putting lowering springs in?
what about your rim/tire combo? staying stock or going bigger?

 

Hmmm, your 03' needs struts already? Or are we talking about a different car.

 

I am referring to my 95 GLE. I don't want to spend too much money since this is only an around the town car, but I want to get the job done. I'm looking for the best bang for the buck and would like to stay close to OEM. I wouldn't mind lowering a little bit, but not if it is going to cost a lot more. I think KYB is close to OEM. I did a search on Ebay and found KYB and Tokico set ups but I don't know anything about either brand. I briefly thought about doing all 4 until I saw the price tag.

 

If you want to stay as close to OEM as possible, I think many will recommend Tokiko HPs ( blues ).

 

do you lower cars with springs? yeah, probably off topic a little, sorry.

 

Yes, you lower cars with lowering springs. And if you plan on lowering it, you're looking at alot more $$$ and don't use Tokiko blues.

 

How many miles are on your 95? A noise while turning the steering wheel is caused by bad strut bearings, a $20 part easily replaced. Mounts don't really go bad, does your car ride really soft or continue bouncing after you hit bumps in the road? If not, your noise might not indicate a suspension overhaul as Goodyear is up-selling you.

 

yeah thas what u need the stru bearings, is it a clicking noise?

 

if the strut bearings are bad, you can usually see that. open your hood and look at the top of the strut tower. the nut on the end of the shock should be dead center in there. if its not, the strut bearing is history. try pushing the car side to side and that nut on the top of the strut should not move.

 

if you want to stay with a stock, or close to stock ride, you can co with the monroes. hp's are also another choice you have. if your planning on keeping the stock springs, and rim/tires size, and want to just stiffen it up a bit more and have a little sportier ride, but still remain decent and comfortable, i would even recomend the kyb gr-2's. they are stiffer than stock struts, but i would ONLY tell you to consider them if the rest of your suspension is going to remain stock.

if your thinking of lowering the car, your playing a totally different ball game. different spring rates = different shocks = a completely different ride quality = alot more $$$

 

The noise is sort of a creaking noise most noticeable when turning slowly like backing out of a driveway or in and out of parking spaces. I guess I need to get a second opinion to see if I only need the strut bearings or need struts themselves.

 

Check http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/703 , "how to"on this procedure...I had this same problem 3 yrs ago..My struts were replaced at that time since my mechanic had everything open, We used monroe's sensatrac..No complaints till this day whatsoever, very close to stock...Make sure you order Nissan brand strut bearings.

 

i have the same problem with the turning and i m definitely gonna look into changing the strut bearing. but lately as i drive i feel like the whole front end is about to collapse everytime i drive over bumps and stuff on the road. can the strut bearing cause that problem as well, i guess as it gets worst?

 

anybody????

 

Monroes are horrible. They'll be shot withing 20K. Get *anything* else.

 

well i didnt buy monroes. ok let me explain. my wife a long time ago had lowering springs installed with stock struts. well, to make a long story short the 2 front struts blew. so the mechanic put all old stock springs back and replaced the 2 front struts with new nissan ones. now i got the popping noise as of probably 1.5 months when turning, so figuring its the strut bearing. for the past 3 weeks or so i have this noise from the front end that sounds and feels like everything is falling apart when i ride over bumps at moderate speeds. can the strut bearing cause this as well.

 

it is theoritically possible for the strut bearing to completely self destruct and allow the top end of the strut to not be connected to anything. if that happened, you would probably have dents in your hood from the strut rod. i've never heard or read of this happening, so maybe it can't get that bad.

i would bet that your struts are totally worn out. the bearings could still be bad as well, so check them. my 97 had both go out before 70k miles.

 

More likely the rubber in the strut mounts is gone. I just had to put a new on in my '97. Sounded like the front end was going to fall off. The mount comes with a new bearing too for $30 (tirerack). Can't go wrong.

 

so i should just get the mount with the bearing?

 

I am having problems with my struts as well. Should the ones on ebay be okay... KYB for example, and also should I get an alignment afterwards?

 

Technically you shouldn't need an alignment, but I find they can be out some after. Better safe than sorry.

 

well to update the popping sound is gone but the noise that sounds like everything is fallin apart in the front end is still there.

 

what did you do/change/replace?

 

cleaned out the grease and packed with new grease. the strut bearing and mount looked in perfect shape. but that other horrible sound man, its freakin annoying. dont know what it can be.

 

anybody have any suggestions on what it might be

 

spring isolator? (rubber piece that wraps around spring at top and bottom...)
something else in your steering loose/worn... bad struts?