Suspension Questions answered

[NotNew!!NewSN!!]

Originally posted by NightRider
I have the Cattman Coilovers and would not recommend them to anyone. I can attest to many races won and quick turning because of the coilovers though. They will make your car handle like a formula one race car. However, they have the worse ride quality known. I've ridden and driven many Maximas with different setups. Even some without bumpstops and tokicos (not a good combination). And all have felt better and more refined than the Cattmans. Not only that, the quality of the suspension is not there. I've owned them for about a year, and already have experienced a broken front strut mount, sagging front springs, and a broken rear strut piston. There is hardly any spacing between the coils on the front springs which results in binding while driving on any roads other than a newly paved highway. Since they were cheaply made, it's impossible to dial in the correct ride height or keep your wheels aligned properly. I'm am very dissatisfied with this setup and urge others to exercise caution before selecting this suspension.

i thought cattman coils were basically done up ground controls with agx's (meaning camber crap and stuff combined into it) im gettin ground controls, anyone with the same feedback, i plan on gettin custom springs from grond control if mine are too ruff

[philpoe]

At what point do you need a camber kit when lowering?
I'm currently on Eibach/Tokico, which is a bit harsh on PA roads compared to stock SE setup (it handles great though).
I got them in a set for $510 from Stillen.
I'm looking at H&R, B&G or Maxspeed for the softer spring, but the drop is lower than Eibach (except possibyl H&R?), possibly making it as harsh as before on OEM-like struts. I guess KYB AGX is the only real choice these days if I swap them out.
Any thoughts on any of the above mentioned springs with AGX?

Originally posted by SuDZ
Springs
H&R
Drop: 1.3 – 1.5 inches
Ride Quality: Closest to the stock SE spring. They will give you a nice drop without having a very harsh ride.
Eibach
Drop 1.5 inches in the front 1.3 in the rear
Ride Quality: Comparable to H&R. The difference will be felt though. They are a harder spring then H&R.
Maxspeed
Drop: 1.7 inches in the front and 1.4 inches in the back.
Ride Quality: Almost like they were there stock SE springs.
B+G
Drop: 1.6 inches
Ride Quality: On back roads where it begins to get bumpy ride can become harsh. Smooth on flatter main/highway type roads.

Struts
KYB – AGX

Right now they are one of the most common struts for the Maxima. They have a great reputation with these struts as far as lasting without any problems. They are 8 way adjustableon the back and 4 way adjustable on the front, which means that they have 4 or 8 separate settings on them to control how firm you want them. They firmness is changeable while still on the car unlike some others where you have to remove the wheels.

Cost: Around $400.00
Tokico
These are a direct OEM replacement for your Maxima. Basicly if a strut blows you can get them rplaced with thes under warranty. They are a strut that is not made for the extra work of a big drop but a bit more aggressive than stock. Since they have that somewhat stock side to them your not going to want a very big or harsh drop on these. for more info check uot this link.
http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/car/performance.html

Cost: Still looking


SuDZ [/b]

[dwapenyi]

No, you're not on Eibach's and H&Rs

DW

Originally posted by philpoe
At what point do you need a camber kit when lowering?
I'm currently on Eibach/H&R . . .

[philpoe]

!!!
No wonder I was complaining about the ride!

Originally posted by dwapenyi
No, you're not on Eibach's and H&Rs

DW

[dwapenyi]

You may not need a camber kit. When my SE was stock, I put 17s on it. They wore un-evenly because they were off camber. I knew i needed an alignment, but since I was going to upgrade the suspension soon, I decided against it. When I put on my H&Rs and Toks, I immediately got an alignment done. The alignment guy told me everything was in spec, no adjustment necessary. Now, 20,000 miles later proves him right. My tires have been wearing perfectly.

So, do the suspension change without the kit. If needed, add it later.

DW

Originally posted by philpoe
At what point do you need a camber kit when lowering?
I'm currently on Eibach/Tokico, which is a bit harsh on PA roads compared to stock SE setup (it handles great though).
I got them in a set for $510 from Stillen.
I'm looking at H&R, B&G or Maxspeed for the softer spring, but the drop is lower than Eibach (except possibyl H&R?), possibly making it as harsh as before on OEM-like struts. I guess KYB AGX is the only real choice these days if I swap them out.
Any thoughts on any of the above mentioned springs with AGX?

[SuDZ]

Originally posted by dwapenyi
You may not need a camber kit. When my SE was stock, I put 17s on it. They wore un-evenly because they were off camber. I knew i needed an alignment, but since I was going to upgrade the suspension soon, I decided against it. When I put on my H&Rs and Toks, I immediately got an alignment done. The alignment guy told me everything was in spec, no adjustment necessary. Now, 20,000 miles later proves him right. My tires have been wearing perfectly.

So, do the suspension change without the kit. If needed, add it later.

DW

Is it something that is easy to add after the work of installing the new suspension has already been done?

SuDZ

[dwapenyi]

I couldn't really say, since I've never had one. I think te kit sits on the bolts, so you just add it on top, don't have to pull apart the suspension again. Hopefully someone else can clarify that.

DW

Originally posted by SuDZ


Is it something that is easy to add after the work of installing the new suspension has already been done?

SuDZ

[SuDZ]

Originally posted by dwapenyi
I couldn't really say, since I've never had one. I think te kit sits on the bolts, so you just add it on top, don't have to pull apart the suspension again. Hopefully someone else can clarify that.

DW

I think your right cause I was looking around a bit before I asked and got the idea that is all there really was to it. I was kinda just double checking here though since nobody ever really mentioned the install process in the other threads.

SuDZ

[philpoe]

What I'm hoping to find out is if I'm planning to go with a new setup and an alignment, should I get the camber kit out of the way now? If I added it later I'd pay labor and another alignment, right?

The Maxspeed springs are looking like a decent candidate as they seem to be SE stock-like, except for the large drop (possibly requiring a camber kit). combined with some AGXs, I may have found a more suitable match. Otherwise I might go with H&R and ride a little higher.

Originally posted by dwapenyi
You may not need a camber kit. When my SE was stock, I put 17s on it. They wore un-evenly because they were off camber. I knew i needed an alignment, but since I was going to upgrade the suspension soon, I decided against it. When I put on my H&Rs and Toks, I immediately got an alignment done. The alignment guy told me everything was in spec, no adjustment necessary. Now, 20,000 miles later proves him right. My tires have been wearing perfectly.

So, do the suspension change without the kit. If needed, add it later.

DW

[dwapenyi]

Well, the idea is that you may not even need the camber kit at all. It's a chance, you call the shots. I have H&Rs and Toks running on 17x7s and I didn't need a kit at all. As for the Maxspeed springs, I find it hard to beleive that you can have the same ride as the stock SE setup with much less suspension travel. Something's got to give. If it does indeed ride like that, then it must bottom out alot, too.

DW

Originally posted by philpoe
What I'm hoping to find out is if I'm planning to go with a new setup and an alignment, should I get the camber kit out of the way now? If I added it later I'd pay labor and another alignment, right?

The Maxspeed springs are looking like a decent candidate as they seem to be SE stock-like, except for the large drop (possibly requiring a camber kit). combined with some AGXs, I may have found a more suitable match. Otherwise I might go with H&R and ride a little higher.

[tyrotrader]

I have tokiko/eibach. The installer forgot to put on the tokiko's (only put on eibachs)- I drove home without realizing thinking it was handling better that stock, but wasn't harsh at all. Then I went back and had him put the Tokiko's on - Great handling, but harsher than I would like - good on good roads, but tough on anything thats very bumpy. I'm over 30 now, maybe if I was 18 I wouldn't care.

Paid $580 shipped at atomicautosport (maybe I got ripped - probably average for online)

[SuDZ]

Wow, it has been a while since I updated this thread. I think it is time to add the following link

what does this mean

A very informative link when it comes to what else you may want to consider changing when you do your suspension. A lot of thanks to everyone one this thread that made it so helpfull. I will add it up top to my originol post as well.

SuDZ

[WDragonM]

When you lower your car with say H&R or Eibach or whatever, can you still put chains on easily? I have the stock 15 inch on my GLE and plan on going boarding again in the winter. Thanks.

[SuDZ]

Originally posted by WDragonM
When you lower your car with say H&R or Eibach or whatever, can you still put chains on easily? I have the stock 15 inch on my GLE and plan on going boarding again in the winter. Thanks.

Do you mean like the type of chains you wrap aropund the tires? I am just checking because here it is illegal so I dont know if you mean something else. If that is what you mean how high off the tires do the chains come? This will help figure out how much space you need or will have.

SuDZ

[Brendan98GT]

so whats gonna happen when i put my new maxspeeds in my 43k mile 98 I30 without replacing anything else?

[SuDZ]

Originally posted by Brendan98GT
so whats gonna happen when i put my new maxspeeds in my 43k mile 98 I30 without replacing anything else?

Some people find that they may need a suspension. Some people find a bit more noise. It is recommended that you at least check other components to make sure nothing will lead you to take the suspension apart at some other time to do repairs. It cant hurt.

SuDZ

[Str8ridin]

Bump!

Excellent thread suDZ!

Can you say stickie? or is it sticky? whatever, why isn't it up top??!!

[xHypex]

Originally posted by Str8ridin

Can you say stickie? or is it sticky? whatever, why isn't it up top??!!

I would say it's not a sticky because people can still search! I'm all for stickies, but we need a sticky forum or something. Granted there aren't too many stickies, but the more there are the less room there is for normal posts. As it stands many good posts are skipped in favor of redundant intake/bulb/suspension questions so why make it worse
-hype

[SuDZ]

Originally posted by Str8ridin
Bump!

Excellent thread suDZ!

Can you say stickie? or is it sticky? whatever, why isn't it up top??!!

Thanks, I actually created it maybe a month or two ago if you look at the dates. There is one that is basicly the same idea but regarding Exhaust components around here somewhere that I made the day after this one. Glad you found some use for it.

SuDZ

[WDragonM]

Yeah, the chains that wrap around the tires. I have cables though (look like springs wrapped around cables, instead of actual chains). I did a search and found that people in snowy areas recommended having coilovers like ground control, but I wasn't exactly sure why because it seems like the chains will still fit with the drop. I don't have a body kit and I don't plan on getting one anytime soon so I was wondering if there was some other issue that might make coilovers preferable to regular springs in snowy conditions.

Originally posted by SuDZ


Do you mean like the type of chains you wrap aropund the tires? I am just checking because here it is illegal so I dont know if you mean something else. If that is what you mean how high off the tires do the chains come? This will help figure out how much space you need or will have.

SuDZ

[SuDZ]

Originally posted by WDragonM
Yeah, the chains that wrap around the tires. I have cables though (look like springs wrapped around cables, instead of actual chains). I did a search and found that people in snowy areas recommended having coilovers like ground control, but I wasn't exactly sure why because it seems like the chains will still fit with the drop. I don't have a body kit and I don't plan on getting one anytime soon so I was wondering if there was some other issue that might make coilovers preferable to regular springs in snowy conditions.

Well the main reason people may have wanted to haev the coilvers is because if snow happens to come then you can aise the car back up to stock height within about 10 minutes or so. Some people feel safer and more comfortable at that height when conditions are bad. That is just their personal opinoin.

As far as the chains having enough room you have to figure it this way, inside the fender goes up higher than you will see from the outside, this gives you enough room to run the cables without having too many issues or any at all. I mean they are not going to be moer than 3 inches thick right? That is about how much room you will have in there. Also if your using a stock sized tire, which during the winter I would assume yes, then there should really be no clearence issues.

SuDZ

[iregula]

nice write up!