Do the 02 se's come with a name brand strut or just factory made? I am looking to put some springs in and was thinking about using stock struts. I have 70k on them now.

 

i think they are tociko.

 

yea i think your right...tokico's are oem

 

Would i need to replace if installing springs now at 70k?

 

Aftermarket Springs? Then yes.

(Then again I'd see no reason to ever replace OEM springs with OEM springs unless going from se>gle and vise versa )
/run on sentence

 

Sounds like you're installing aftermarket lowering springs. If so, then its highly recommended that you replace the stock struts with struts that have a damper rate to match your spring rates. While you can still run your stock struts with lowering springs, an improper match between the two may result in poor ride quality, suboptimal handling, and shortened strut life.

 

And yes, the stock struts are made by Tokico, but they have compression and rebound rates that are way too low for all, if not most aftermarket springs. They were made to be paired with the OEM springs and even though some people have used them with lowering springs, I say don't do it and just get everything done right the first time, ie. get some good aftermarket struts.

 

If the drop isn't that severe, you could probably get away with using stock struts. But since you're already changing your springs, might as well change the struts too.

 

Exactly, even if you tackle this yourself you will most likely end up doing the job twice when the struts do fail. If you are paying for the install then you will save a ton of labor doing both at once.

The org is a big place though, see if someone will let you ride along in their car to help your opinion. I know for me lowering springs are a no no if I want to clear my driveway.

 

I was planning on going with Eibach springs, with probably KYB's then. I used buy from southwestautoworks.com when I had my altima, but they are really expensive now. Where do you guys buy your aftermarket stuff?

 

Variety of places. Just like anything else, you gotta shop around. Me personally, I check out the group buy section, classifieds and ebay.

 

I too highly recommend replacing struts if you are going with shorter springs. I had an altima I put sprint springs on, a 2in drop and foolishly did not upgrade/replace the stock struts. Not only was the ride terrible, but the wear on my tires was ridiculous.

Like someone else said if the drop is not too significant then keep stock, but anything more than .75'' you will want to get new springs. Just my .02

 

I think it depends on your own particular situation. if you can switch out struts/springs yourself, then use the OEM/ Tokico's till they're blown. if you are sending it out to a mechanic/garage/suspension shop, just switch out the struts then so you don't have to pay double for the labor. but it comes with one caviat.

i just switched out my stock 03 SE springs with Vogtland springs (drop fr 1.6" rear 1.4") and kept the stock struts. I positively comfirmed a "Tokico" stamp on both the front strut assemblys, couldn't find it on the rears but assuming they are also Tokico. here my 02 cents:

ill know that you'll have alot of members swearing on their bibles that stock struts with aftermarket springs are bad, bad, bad. but here's my theory, since the struts are manufactured by Tokico, they have to be similiar to base model, which are the Tokico HP's. many members actually say that HP's are OEM replacements. now to my knowledge, the HP's are a fine streetable/daily driver strut, in fact many max members confirm this view as well.

so, imo just save yourself some money until you have to really change out your blown oem struts with Tokico Illumina's, or whatever brand you want to with.

02 - 03 Maxima SE's have Tokico's standard with [so called] stiffer springs that created the notorious, hedious, huge front wheel gap.

been running my setup stock struts/ vogtland springs and i love the handling/performance and ride comfort is dampened nicely as well. the ride is stiffer b/c of springs

 

zenjia 03merlot - how long have you been running your vogtlands with your OEM struts?

 

about 3 months.

 

Dude your sig pic is WAY to big.

 

Thanks for the feedback Stardust...just put it up. Resized it.

 

I am really looking to have my '02 6MT SE lowered and change the suspension system for performance purposes. I heard that eibach springs are the best, but from this thread it's not clear as to what the best shocks and struts are in terms of performance. I've heard tokico, but is that for the best or just stock replacements?