I need to replace the rear struts on my '97 Maxima SE because one is leaking oil. I have stock struts/springs with FSTB, RSB, RSTB, and am not interested in a drop because of our roads. I'm looking for the best "balanced" strut, meaning good compromise between ride and handling (my car is a family daily driver). I'll be doing rears first, then hopefully fronts soon, and would prefer sticking with the same brand on all four corners.

My local auto parts stores only have Gabriel and Monroe. I have no experience with either. I have found Tokico (OEM I think) Blue and Illuminas for about the same price for rears online. The Illumina fronts are almost twice as much as the Blues, Gabriel, and Monroe, though. So this may hinder keeping the same type on all four corners. I'm a disabled vet, so I'm on a fixed budget.

Do I need the adjustability on all four corners from the Illuminas? Would it hurt having Illuminas on the rear and Blues on the front? Or are there better struts for the same price as the Tokicos?

Interestingly, the auto parts stores don't show any difference with Monroe or Gabriel for Maxima trim levels. Same struts for GXE's, GLE's, and SE's. I thought the SE would have stiffer struts, or would the "tighter" suspension only come from the springs?

Thanks.

Dave

 

If your on a tight budget the tokico blues or KYB GR2s would be the best chioce for you also the SE model maximas have stiffer springs IIRC.

 

Probably GR2s if you're planning on sticking with stock springs.

I remember when I was on Konis and stock springs, the car was ridiculously floaty... mountain driving was entertaining but not as rewarding because of the indirect feel. Have you considered H&R or Maxspeed springs?

 

Thank you for serving our country first of all. Secondly, I dont know much about the GR2s but the blues are stiffer than stock and prob dont match the stock springs very well. I would try to look for used stock struts. I am sure there are people on the board who have their stock springs and struts in their basement after going with an aftermarket spring/strut combo.

In the classified section just make a WTB post I am sure someone will speak up

 

Stay away from the Monroes and Gabrials, they are not what you are after. They are very soft.

Tokico struts are OEM equipment. The Blue is the closest you can get to stock. Some say they are stiffer and I dont belive them. I have them on my fathers 96 with the stock springs. He says they ride great, and he'd know if they changed the ride quality. Illuminas are similar but you can tune them to your liking. They both off a fantastic ride. It sounds like you should get the Blues since the Illuminas are more money.

KYB GR-2 and AGX are not what you are looking for. They are harsh as rocks. Dont even bother looking into them.

Konis are way out of your price range, but will offer the ride you want.

The only other option worth looking into is stock SE dampers. I dont even want to know what the dealer charges. Seeing as they are Tokico Id just get the blues.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I like the idea of Tokico being the OEM supplier, so have pretty much narrowed it down to them. It's now just a toss-up between the Blues and Illuminas. For the rear, those 2 are both about the same price. So I'm leaning more towards the Illuminas because of their adjustability. I like the idea of being able to soften them up a bit for long trips with the kids, and stiffening some for my spirited little jaunts through the country.

The fronts are a different story as far as price. But since I'm not doing them immediately, I can start budgeting for when they need replaced. I thought about getting used, but really prefer new. For the relatively small additional cost of new, I like the piece of mind of knowing they'll last awhile. If I wasn't planning on keeping the car, used would be an option. But this car will probably go to my daughter in a few years. And with a teenage daughter, piece of mind is priceless.

I priced the stock Tokico's at Courtesy Nissan, and they're $110 a piece. That's about $30 more each than the Illuminas online. My local dealer would undoubtedly be even more. I didn't even check the pricing on the fronts.

I'll be calling two online sources this morning to check availability. It'll more than likely come down to what I can get within a reasonable time frame.

One of these days I may get new springs if we move back to my home state. But as long as I live in northwest Louisiana, they'll stay stock.

Would there be any problems with having Illuminas on the rear with stock springs on all four corners and stock struts on the front? And since I've never done struts before (even at my age), what else should I look at replacing while I'm in there (boots, bump stop, strut bearing, mounting plate)? I've done shocks many times, but strut type suspensions seem to have more components. I'd really prefer doing it only once for now. The additional cost of the other components shouldn't be a problem.

Sciff5, you're more than welcome. Let's keep those who are defending our freedoms in our thoughts and prayers. I was there in '91, and can say that support from back home is important to those in harm's way.

Dave

 

The Tokico rear struts come with new bushings so unless you need a new bumpstop/boot youll be fine with whats in the box. The fronts are a different story. Sometimes the upper mount wears out since there is rubber in it. Also the strut bearing will wear out, but you would know if either of them were bad at this time. You would have noises like pops and squeeks if they were bad.

Going new is the way to go. You get a lifetime warranty that way. You should buy a set from the group deal. Youll probably save money in the long run buying them all at once.

Youll be fine with the new struts in the rear with the stock ones up front. So dont worry about that.

 

Thanks for the replies (and JSutter seems to know exactly what my priorities are with ride). It came down to the Illuminas or the Blues, so I went with the Illuminas. Mainly because of their adjustability, and they're about the same price as the Blues. Not to mention they're what I could get shipped the soonest, and I need them ASAP. From what others have said on here (I did research before I posted this thread), the KYB's are a little rougher than the Tokicos. With the Illuminas, maybe I can have the best of both worlds; comfort when needed, and firm for fun.
Also got KYB boots because mine look like a bunch of strings hanging there now. Could be a contributing factor to one blowing. I'll start treating them with some 303 Protectant from now on when I detail my fenderwells.
I actually talked the wife in to helping me change them on Thursday. Should be fun. Nothing like spending "quality" time. Shouldn't be too bad. I have air tools and everything else I could possibly need. And being a southern car, I don't have quite the corrosion underneath a northern car would (I lived 18 years in Ohio).

Thanks again.

Dave

 

How much are the illumina's going for?? I need some new one's to pair with my s-techs... Im bouncing all over the road

 

If your gonna spend the cheddar on the illuminas you should at get some H&R springs to go with it... I know money is tight thats why I originally suggested the used stock shocks but if your gonna spring for the illuminas why not go for it all the way. Just a thought

 

tokico springs > H&R springs

 

Care to share where your getting your info? And in what way are they better?

This guy wants a comfortable ride. The H&Rs are well known to be the most comfortable aftermarket spring for the maxima.

 

They are level, similar or softer rate than H&R, they are cheaper, matched for either HP's or Illuminas, what else do you want me to say? I have installed them and they ride fantastic. The drop is perfect for the street too.

 

Who cares about drop when talking about tokico or H&R springs obviously people interested in these springs arent concerned with how much their car is dropped.. Do you have spring rates for the tokicos and the H&Rs? Obviously not as H&R does not release their spring rates. And even if they did spring rate is deff not the end all be all of how a spring rides. Show me a single thread where someone has experience with both the H&Rs and Tokicos who prefers the tokicos and even if you could there are hudreds of threads praising how the H&Rs ride. I have yet to read a thread out of the hudreds of people who have them say anything bad about them except the back end sometimes looks lower than the front which is the way the car looks (only a lot worse) from the factory. After a quick look around the board you seem to be one of the only people suggesting the tokico springs.

Your view on how a certain spring rides.. is your opinion.. I think the Eibachs ride great and before I posted my review, and then Irish posted his most people in the 5th gen forum thought they were harsh.

 

Why do you think I dont like H&R? They are rated well, no ****. I kind of take offence to your post. I have been on numerous springs and struts. I have installed numerous setups. I think I know what Im talking about. Tokicos are fairly new, so most dont even know about them. If you take all factors into consideration Tokicos will out shine H&Rs for daily use. Comfort levels are similar, drops are similar, the $100 difference is worth it. Having even wheel gaps is just something a little extra nice.

The Tokico springs have a drop of 1.5" in the front and 1.3" in the rear. They have a spring rate of Front: 111 - 225 lb/in and Rear: 148 - 295 lb/in which probably puts them around the same stiffness as H&R. They are somewhat new but when paired with Tokico Illumina’s they are regarded as a good spring for its comfortable yet sporty ride, good drop (ends up being a bit lower than 1.5/1.3) and improved handling that eliminates most body roll. They seem to offer a good ballance between handling and comfort and many are satisfied with this setup.

No H&R doesnt post rates but The SE springs are a good amount stiffer than the GLE/GXE springs but a lot less stiff than H&Rs. Spring rate is around 120 lbs/in front and 200 lbs/in rear.

So in a nutt shell you cant get any softer than Tokicos considering they are initially softer than stock.

 

Based on the reviews H&Rs are probably initially softer than stock as well... of course we will never know but you can keep guessing