I have seen how its done on youtube videos but never done it.

Do most of you recommend doing it yourself and advise to leave to professional?

Is it recommended to get a complete strut and spring unit, as maybe you are getting the benefit of a new spring?

I have 98 Maxima with 280,000 km or 170,000 mi

 

If you feel you are mechanically inclined it isn't very hard to do. Order a kit like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COIL-...motiveQ5fTools
And just work slowly because if you rush you might get hurt.
If you don't feel competent enough to compress the spring yourself, one option is to pull the shock/spring assemblies out and bring them to a shop for disasembly. It would be a bit cheaper that way..
As far as buying the complete assembled kit, thats up to you. Are you trying to lower it, or just do suspension maintenance?

 

I have done this well over 6 times alone, I go to my local parts store and rent the tool! Im doing K-sport springs today on my 99 maxima. And I have done the quick struts (fully loaded spring strut/shock mounts) for a few people. Very easy to do, but in a few years your rear will start to sit lower then the front with OEM style springs. jmo

 

it's not too difficult. if you dont want to get the tool or deal with it, take out your stock suspension and bring it to a local shop with your new struts and see if they will swap the struts for cheap.

i broke the bolt on the top of my stock strut - dont ask - and had to bring it to a shop. they quoted me 60 bucks to change all 4.

i wouldnt replace the springs unless you have a reason to.

 

you only need a spring compressor to put on the stock springs, you can remove them without. if you are putting on aftermarket springs, spring compressors are not needed.

i would not attempt this job without an impact wrench...

 

Its not that bad without an impact. It just takes more time.

 

Not sure what you mean, but take out the whole spring/strut assembly and have them install the spring on the new strut? Two quotes I got and they wanted $120 labor.

 

i must have lucked out on my price -

yes, take out the whole assembly and have them install the new strut on the orig. spring - If you think about it $30 bucks each assembly doesnt seem too bad but see if they can do it for less, maybe $100 total. are they charging you an hourly rate or just to do the entire job?

have both places write you a quote on the work. take shop 1 quote to shop 2 and see if they can beat the price or vice-versa.

 

I'm running K-Sport springs, they are really good drop springs with KYB struts. K-Sport will probably give you the lowest drop without coil overs and they feel similar to stock but with a little more control since it lowers your center gravity.

 

You mean with no springs?

Remember I have a GXE so the lower front end would like strange indeed.

 

Listen, pop open your hood, the center nut that goes on to the strut piston, simple break it loose but DO NOT remove it. Jack up your car, take the tire off. Go back under your hood and remove the 3 strut mount bolts. Go under the wheel well and unclip the break line. Remove the 2 bolts that hold the lower strut mounting points to the steering knuckle and BAM your done removing the strut.

Then u use the spring compressors to hold the spring down as you remove the center nut that screws onto the strut piston.

Note: You will read to mark the points of the strut to steering knuckle, I never did that I just take it to get the wheels aligned after.

 

No I meant that K-Sport dropping springs provide the lowest drop using springs on a Maxima besides coil overs. Coilovers are not regular springs as you may be imagining.

 

K Sport drops 2.5 in the front and 2.2 in the back

 

KSport coils come in one package w/struts?

 

yep, K-Sport coil overs the set comes with everything. It will run you around $700 or a little more.

 

$700? for two?

thx anyway

 

NO OMG $700+ for the whole set including front and rear and you get more than just some strut looking thing and some springs, it's completely different go google it or look on ebay.

 

Too costly in Canada; and shipping from USA and duty, same difference.

But will keep looking.

 

the rear does sit lower. it feels really low when there are 3 adults in the back. i am sticking with OEM replacement. what did you use or would like to recommend?

 

I got a price on strut/spring complete assembly of $175 each of the brand name

Edge.

Anyone heard of them? My max is a 1998, but I may keep for some time.

 

bump

 

Rockauto has raybestos shocks full assembly at $101


LEACREE are available at $80.

which is best bang for buck?

Remember I have 98 Max, not many years left.

 

I put Monroe Quickstruts (complete units) all the way around on my 97 Max 18 months ago and they are doing fine 20K miles later. Got them from Advance so probably overpaid - I think Rockauto is cheaper. I found that buying the complete unit was about $25-30 per shock more expensive - but my local Kaufmann charges $25 a shock to remove and replace coils if you buy just the shock, so it's a push either way. Personally, I am an experienced DIYer, but I will NOT use the rental tools to compress springs and do it myself. IMHO, the risk of hurting myself is just too great for the $$ saved.

 

monroes are good. never hrd of edge

 

The cheapest strut assembly here are Monroes @ $233 + 13% tax.

Rockauto only a little cheaper for north of border, shipping and duty.

 

Saftey goggles just remember saftey goggles lol!