In the past few months, my Maxima just feels and handles like crapola. It is faster than ever, but the handling is aweful. Sure it sticks in the turns, but it wobbles and bobs up and down. I replaced my rear struts a month ago and it helped a bit, but now the front end feels like crap. My steering feels extremely vague and way over boosted (worse than it ever has). I've got absolutely no feel. Also, my engine feels like it rocks more even though the mounts are perfectly fine. Can all this crappy feel and engine bounce be related to my worn out front struts? I ordered a set of Konis today which I'll install this weekend. I've checked all my suspension components and bushings and they look and feel fine. Honestly, my mothers 92 Le Sabre has better steering feel. I rented a 01 Taurus last week for work and the steering was worlds better than my Maxima's. Am I missing something or did a lot of you guys experience this when your struts went bad?

 

First off...I checked your site and I see you have larger aftermarket wheels. Check your tire pressure. They could be over inflated. I have pumped my stock 15's up to like 36 or 38 and while it would handle/stick better.....the steering feel went right out the window. Make sure they aren't over-inflated.

Also....your shocks....probably 99.9% of your problem....are mostly likely shot, dead, beaten...you get the idea. I'm guessing you have over 50K(shocks got soft then anyways)....but I thought you had lowering springs. Lowering springs on stock shocks will kill em pretty darn fast. Plus......shocks that have already seen 4 years are just gonna die quicker than say a lowered 2K maxima.

Replace with konis....adjusted to 4/5 and you will have a smile from ear to ear on Sunday

Mike S.

 

Suspension tech springs.....EVEN WORSE Instead of the eibach 1.3 drop or so....you got 1.7....YIKES. Those shocks are working hard standing still!

Mike S.

 

Yep, I've got some 16" Kosei K1s with some Yokohama 215/55s. They're only inflated to 33psi in the front and 31 psi in the back. Max cold psi is 35. The ST springs probably did kill the stock struts rather quickly. The ST springs have been on the car since last October and 20000 miles. The stock struts are toast. I just hope the struts help out a lot. I can't stand it right now. My car handles like a pork chop!!!!

Dave

 

If it feels like a Buick, the struts are gone. Been there, done that.

 

Dave which Suspension Techniques springs do you have? I am considering them for my max and according to Suspension Techinques they drop the car 1.3 inches. I also see that they make a spring (Speed Tech model) which drops 1.5-2.5. Is this the spring you have?

 

How come you dont get the Tokiko shocks? they're like $300 for all four. Aren't the Koni's like $230 each? I heard the Tokiko's are pretty good.

 

Then you need shocks.I have had this bounce and my parents new Buick Ultra has better recoil than my GXE 95 Max - its distgusting and I am ashamed.
It's 4000 lbs heavy and still has a better recoil than my 3000 95 Max.

Stock shocks only last 30,000. Then they go soft and worthless. You can leave them on your car forever and deal with it. Most people never notice.
My cousins car with the entire Eibach and Tockico shock set up rides much smoother and compliant than my 97 SE stock setup. In fact it absorbs the bumps better then my 95 GXE - hands down.(not to mention it looks better lowered)
Even when your tokicos finally do settle they are superior to the stock set up and have a lifetime warranty.
Call Stillen and get some hands on advice -
Grill them about handling
Ride comfort
and longevity.-These guys know the limits of this car.

The guys here in this forum know the hands on advantages of each spring set up as well.(h&R vs. Eibach)

Some say H&R are softer than Eibachs but I believe it to be so close it is almost indistinguishable. Preference really.
Let me know what ya'll think.
Here in this forum Max drivers like H&R's for ride compliance and say Eibach's are hard core.

Typically they don't like the Tokicos because they say they blow out over a few months time. Stillen would disagree -ask anyone. -they swear by this set up. And they test every setup to maximize the performance of this sedan.

It is my experience and belief that members of this forum either have lemons, drive the car consistlently over potholes or don't realize shocks break in ever so slightly.
So they may be firm at first and soften subtley as they wear.

 

Wow, you run 31 in the back? I've tried running 30 and the back end feels way too happy. On uneven surfaces it jumps around like crazy. I run 33/29 now with my V4s.

ZuM