Hi Gang,

Does anybody have any experience with these for a 99 Maxima SE (rear)

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...259&cc=1356780

It has 185K and has been done with GR2's, which the mechanic swapped out for Monore assemblies after driving the car himself and saying it was outright harsh. Monroes were still a bit too much for this car.

Time for a stock again. Easy and affordable makes it even better. Otherwise Tokico Blues and whatever Springs match best (and boots and so on).

Please share your experiences. Moog is known for many of their suspension parts as being OEM and sometimes better!

Thanks Fellas!

 

They're decent and ride fine. You'll be content with them.

Can't tell from your post if you intend to lower or not.

I'm local and know a bit about our suspensions. Let me know if you need some advice, or if you are looking for an installer for your suspension. I've done a few

 

Thank YOU Kindly dj!

I'm not going to lower it as she looks every bit the woman with high mileage. LOL Might as well keep her on her toes!

Anything else I should order while I'm doing it? (i.e. OEM Gaskets at the top where it ties to the body?)

These are easy since there'll be no spring swap and just about everything has been included!

The first 100K was reasonable but the second 100K is EXPENSIVE!

Only 15K to the even MORE EXPENSIVE level. LOL

Thanks again!

Regards//KP

 

I've actually had some luck making my own gaskets for where the strut mounts to the body. I bought some gray gasket material from a local parts store then marked off the shape from the contact parts. To cut out the gasket, I used an exacto knife. It kept me from having to order the gaskets from the dealer. I've done that on all three of my 4th gens. Four years later it still works.

 

^
I also hand made strut mount gaskets. I used thick dark grey gasket lining. Our rear strut mount gaskets are known to wear away and cause rust damage to where they mount onto the trunk corners. The trunk rust was so notorious for a previous member he had to junk his car.

 

Actually the homemade gaskets are thicker and are made from stronger material than the orange construction paper versions I removed.

 

Those paper gaskets aren't necessarily required. I've installed handfuls of suspensions without them, no noise issues whatsoever. Save the time/money/effort.

 

Thank you Gentlemen!

Those two gaskets are ~$50.

Now you've got the wheels turning. Gasket material can't be that expensive. Or maybe Vinyl that plumbers use to make a leak proof shower pan out of Mud (portland cement and sand) and tile.

$50 for paper... Now that's Just WRONG! LOL

 

Interesting comment about the GR2's and harshness. I don't find the rears harsh at all, but rather very well suited for that application. The Monroe Blue's in the rear I found to be to soft.

The front is another story... Both the GR2 and the Monroe Blue struts are horrible up front. Way to much damping, borderline harsh with stock spring sets.

Up front I run Tokico adjustables, set on 2. (similar damping to Blues, a bit more rebound control) Rear, GR2's.
The car rides and handles amazingly well.

 

I never heard noise on my rear struts with no gaskets? My rear strut mounting areas were badly rusted when I removed the lowered springs last spring. Had to use 60 grit SP and my DA sander for 30min to remove the rust. That DA sander had to be set in rotary position to get the job done. After I got to bare metal covered it with several layers of etching primer. Adding on those cheap hand made thick paper gaskets will save lots of time and money in the near future.

Buy square gaskets at you local auto store and easily make your own.

 

Anyone ever spread a coat of anaerobic gasket maker or silicone gasket sealer from a tube rather than OEM paper, or cut from gasket material?

About the GR2's. The whole car had them and who knows what springs they were paired with, mechanic made the call (never again), but overall, the ride was harsh. I didn't investigate which axle was the cause. I was DONE with them. Monroe was better but still not right. Then again, all the suspension has been wearing and needs to be addressed.

Starting with the back because that's where I'm getting the short impact driver vibrations when hitting certain slightly rough areas here and there.

Links and most likely poly bushings will be next.

The Moog assembly fits the bill and will most likely get me back to where I started @ $200 delivered both sides.

Easy, Breezy and not too Cheesy.

Thanks everybody!

 

Use exhaust manifold gasket material to make the gaskets, available in sheets from your local auto parts store.

 

For those that are looking for original ride Strut Assembly options, The Moog ST8532 is really worth considering. Especially @< $100 each Delivered.

Right on the money for the ride and handling. Now I have to consider the bushings and links, but the welds on the axle assembly look like rust is having its way. Money pit on wheels.

Took everybody's advice and made my own gaskets. $10 for a roll vs $50 from the dealer.

Fronts will be done shortly @ the same price.

Thanks for all the help Fellas!

Rock on!