I'm installing Tokico Illuminas on my '97 Maxima and am retaining the stock springs...I'm wondering if I should replace my rubber strut mounts/bearing plates at the same time. The car has 108K on it and tracks perfectly straight right now w/ no odd noises or slop...I simply want better driver feedback than I'm getting right now w/o paying too much of a ride-comfort penalty. Where should I go to get these parts (if I should replace them at all, that is)? Thanks guys...

 

Definitely replace the strut bearings...and maybe even the strut isolator... dealer parts. Make sure you re-use or replace the spring isolators (the rubber pieces that go between the spring and the mount/seat - to keep the springs from rattling.

Shouldn't need to replace anything else.

Call www.garrands-nissan.com for great discounted OEM parts prices. Mention maxima.org.

 

i installed my illuminas and tokico springs this part weekend and i replaced the strut mounts and bearings...the stock mounts didn't look too bad at all...it was a hard piece of rubber...you may not have to replace your at all.

 

Also, the strut boots are probably falling apart already. Change those too.

 

One always wonders what to replace and what not to replace when doing suspension install (especially if its the first time since it came from the factory). Its always ahrd to tell as you cant inspect the parts till the suspension is all dis-assembled.

if you can afford it, I'd say replace it. Or if you plan on getting a lifetime alignment, then you can do the strut job, inspect, and if you need it, order later and re-install, and re-align (assuming your schedule isnt too busy)

 

strut bearing for sure. mine looked good, but blew about 2 weeks after installation. so jsut replace it. the rubber parts are your call. the bumpstop/mount assembly are typically ok to reuse. your dust boot is proably shot to hell. u can buy quality urathane ones from rancho. they makes boots that fit, they are a bit long but u just zip tie them . i have them on my max and there is not ripping tearing yet, its been over a year.

 

Your going to love the way your car rides on the stock springs with Illuminas.