JSutter

iTrader: (46)

For the rear I rebuilt both calipers, installed new pads, replaced a rotor (other was done last year), and ended up removing some badly rusted dust shields. I had 1 new caliper installed last year which never seemed to work correctly. That ebrake didnt work and the pads had little wear. It ended up being a stuck/rusted/siezed slide pin, which I thought I fixxed at the same time. Guess not.

For the front I started out with some ES control arm bushings.....a huge PITA in itself. Glad thats pretty much done. I figured while I was in there I may as well go nuts. I cut, yes cut, both ball joints off since the cotter pins were never comming out. One was leaking any how and it was tons easier then screwing with the rusty nut. I also cut the outer tie rod on one side, again rusty nut and pin. So with all that out of the way I could clean all the parts, make them look ok. I removed the ball joints from the LCA painted them up and start on the spindles. Come to find out my wheel bearings are shot. I always had a tire wear issue even after my alignment. That explains it, they are loose. What kills me is that when installed on the car they had 0 play. I checked them every few months and noticed no play ever. I figured my alignment was bad after the 1000th suspention install. The comming week(s) will be fun. Driving the SE-R, waiting on more parts, no Max for me.

Fun times.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Sounds like fun. Recently did the same thing...new control arms/balljoints with ES bushings pressed in, sway bar endlinks, stainless brake lines, 2 front calipers, 4 rotors, all new pads, wheel bearings. Took the shop about 5 hours.

95mtlMAXSE

I just did my entire front end, exept for the tie rods. Sutter, with the new bushings and bearings, you'll feel like your car's floating, it's a nice feeling. I did the same like you guys, I used ES motor mounts, lcs bushings and sway bar bushings. i couldn't find them for the sawy bar links, so i just put back the stock replacements. Eitherway, the car feels awsome, i also did all the o2 sensors and complete exhaust...These cars are really worth keeping in good shape, but can be such a PITA though

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

Like an animal you are!

chillin014

iTrader: (67)

does anyone have a picture of a (bad) wheel bearing? i get a squeaking sound when the car is rolling real slow. comes from the wheels.
i know i need to replace my control arm bushings...i just dont know where to start with all this **** and if there are any performance upgrades to be had or if its all just replacement pretty much.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

My dads car has a squeek comming from the axle boots. Usually wheel bearings make a groaning sound at higher speeds. motorvate.ca has some wheel bearing pix.

Apparition

iTrader: (5)

You crazy basterd.. good luck.

ardika

iTrader: (3)

Jon:

Ditto on that rusted slide pin. Mine was rusted, and I thought I fixed it last year. Guess what, the same thing happens again when I checked it out and I ended up ordering a brand new caliper w/all hardware.

I also ordered another caliper bracket for my pass. side since I am afraid it's doing the same thing as well.

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

I would check rotor splash sheild, pads, anything coming in contact with the axle or wheel before digging into the spindle and bearing.

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

YOU AND YOUR SUSPENSION...........did u get the Ball-joint press yet

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

I think I have regreased all my slide pins a few times by now. I have had 3-4 set of pads on my car so far and each time I check them. New England is a bich to cars.

Chris, theres no need for the press yet since I dont have the new parts. I got everything online from RockAuto for hundreds less than local parts stores. Its all MOOG, save for the wheel bearings and seals. I took some pix of what I have done so far, Ill have to post them up. Too bad the stock suspension is going back on. I wont feel the difference as much since its so floaty. I did the rears already, god I hate stock springs and struts.

BTW a 4.5" grinder to the stock bushings makes a hell of a mess. My pix with tell the story.

chillin014

iTrader: (67)

yeah its probably my pads, my brakes are trash....especially after all the runs at the track.

as far as upgrades, is Energy Suspension worth checking out? i saw cattman has some ES bushings for sale on sale and i was wondering if its worth picking up.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

It sure is if you are into performance and not luxury. You will get some extra vibrations if you do all of them. But it will get rid of the slop, well I guess new OEM parts would do that too. But it will help out traction and launching with the stiffer mounts and bushings.

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

HEs COOO COOO for maintenance!!!!

chillin014

iTrader: (67)

eh, i get enough vibrations, might as well make the vibrating worth it...im gonna pick these up from cattman for now..
- Energy Suspension lower front subframe bushing set for 95-03 Maxima

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Those are the lower crossmember bushings where it bolts to the car. Im getting all of the ES stuff from Cattman, about $130 w/o the control arm bushings since I have them.

Pics of the carnage!

Messy yes.

Broken parts

Takes hours to get to this

Thats just plain ugly

http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p...01/Suspension/

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

i need to replace my Front sway bar bushings like LAST MONTH

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Im totally slacking, Ive had the replacement parts since thursday. All I have done is removed the front dust shields and clean up the spindles/hubs. I need to get the bearings pressed in then start reassembling everything. Getting my *** over to a shop is holding me back. Ill wait on the rest of the ES bushings (FSB to frame bushings not in stock) since weather is getting bad and I cant keep using the SER.

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

I love garage ingenuity!

96i30azn

Damn, you took everything off. Good thing you have a 2nd car.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Finally I got off my butt and did some work. I pressed in all the bearing and ball joints my self at my buddys shop. That wasnt all that fun but not really all that hard either. Its just a huge pain finding things (sockets) that fit so pressing out the parts can be done. Then I came home and installed the LCAs, inner and outer tie rods, and spindles. Doesnt sound like much but it takes some time. The inner tie rods are the most time consuming since there is little room to work. Thankfully I found an inner tie rod tool at my buddys shop and didnt have to buy one. Its made for American cars, but it worked fine with a longer bolt at the end. So the time involved was about 4-6pm for the machine work, then 7-9:30pm to get those parts back in. I still need to assemble the front struts, not usually a big deal but the stock springs are a ***** to compress. Oh and Im still waiting on the ES bushings, which should be here in a day or two.
The parts runner lol:

LCA ready to be installed:

LCA and tie rods in:

Spindle back on:

The inner tie rod tool I borrowed:

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

Are you doing any brake work while everything is out?

Apparition

iTrader: (5)

What gun in your vast collection is that silencer in the last pic for Sutter?

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

New pads out back, 1 new rotor out back (other side was done last year), 1 new (rebuilt) caliper out back, 1 swapped out caliper on the other side in which I replaced the piston in. Fronts will get new rotors, new pads were installed a couple of months ago. The I get to bleed them.... kinda makes me want SS brake lines now too, with ATE super blue fluid.


That aint no silencer.

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

Those were my thoughts when I was bleeding my brakes.

Apparition

iTrader: (5)

You ruin my fun..

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Its all back together now almost, I drove it with no brakes
Rides like poop with stock struts and springs, and wheels for that matter.
I will post some pix later, as well as a cost total. Any one want to ball park it? 2 front rotors, ALL ES bushings, inner/outer tie rods, end links, ball joints, wheel bearings, dust seals, oh and an oil change too.


BTW Cattman kicks ***, that ES sale was well worth it.

tbergma1

That squeking sound is a bad bearing, I would jack it up and see how loose it is. With mine it was so bad i had to replace the stinkin hub. Cost me $175.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

MMM bushings, I have not installed the motor mounts or sub frame pieces

Sway bar bushings are the biggest PITA

Stock struts/springs with Rancho boots

Just about done, just need to paint a few last pieces

The left overs sans the wheel bearings, dust seals, rotors, and pads

speed racer

iTrader: (10)

What paint you used for the LCA and all that rust.

Fr33way™

iTrader: (23)

VAFC-II yummy....

Zack342

iTrader: (89)

nice work....Let me drive that thing

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Just some crap gerneric spray paint.

Close, its an SAFC-II. BLack is the only way to roll.

One of these days in 07!