Hello Maxima Fanatics

I am a rookie Maxima Enthusiast and I have just started to do my own DIY projects and I needed some advice on the difficulty of some. I recently replaced my bumper cover and support, changing out the fog lights at the same time. I have also change out my vehicle speed sensor and washer reservoir and pump.

Purely cosmetic but now im on to some more challenging projects. Next I want/need to replace my brakes and rotors with some performance brakes and also my radiator, fan, and thermostat. Based on the writeups ive read they all seem like pretty straightforward jobs but because they all affect the driveabilty of my Max, I want some advice. Do you think a Rookie should take on these projects or take to a shop???

I eventually plan to do all work on my Maxima myself but I know i need to start slowly. These projects need to be handled right now.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

KWillz11

 

The projects you mentioned are easily done by a novice. You will find all you need to know right on this website.

You can often find videos of someone doing the repair right on You-tube.

 

If you've never done some of these types of maintenance before, spend $20 and get a haynes/chiltons manual. I read mine front to back on mg first car when I was 15. That's how I learned.

Nowadays you have YT vids to watch as well.

 

www.shiftice.com/‎
howto for brakes

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. I know all the information is on here, just wanted some advice on whether to tackle it myself. But Im going to give it my best shot. Updates coming soon.

KWillz11

 

Investing in a basic tool set and a haynes manual will prove to be invaluable.

 

You will find that working on your car, finishing a project and not paying anyone to do it can be at times more rewarding than driving it. Lots of support here.

 

Your brakes and cooling system items you want replaced are very simple and straight forward to do. Its very easy to tackle on your own, and as others said watch YouTube videos on How To's. They do help a lot. I've watched a few and learn new tips and tricks and that's coming from a Nissan/Infiniti Tech here.

 

Definitely something you can do on your own bro.

When I bought my car and joined this site, I had zero mechanical experience with cars and now there are very few things I wouldn't tackle on my own.

It's all here man, between existing threads and the brotherhood, and a good place for an FSM is http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Maxima/

 

DIY. The jobs you mentioned are not hard. You will save money, have fun, and know what parts were put on the car.

 

The best thing you can do is to invest in some tools (as someone said above).

The way I always viewed it when I started was that I didn't mind buying tools with the money I saved on a job.

I figured I saved myself at least $500 when I did my clutch the first time. So, I used that money to buy air tools. Now, granted, I was a dummy and bought a cheap air gun that wasn't powerful enough for tough jobs, but I finally got it right (after another try) and bought a really powerful one.

 

Sounds like you are capable and willing to learn. I think you can do this stuff. However, not sure why you need to replace your radiator fans.

 

I do have basic tools thats how i did the more cosmetic things. been watching videos all week, Im going to tackle these projects this weekend. Thanks for the help guys!!!


Been checknig threads about my overheating issues and this was what was suggested.

 

I'd just do the thermostat first....and make sure it's bled correctly.

 

Improper bleeding leads to the majority of overheating issues after coolant system work despite proper initial repair of the issue. My trick has simply been to always park the car facing up hill (or raise the front with jacks), put heat on, remove radiator cap, and run engine while adding necessary coolant.

Allows coolant to flow through heater core and removes air pockets there, while also helping those pockets flow to the radiator and out the cap.