5th Gen Suspension Thread

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by jafo2com

Sorry if this question is off-topic DrKlop (pls edit if in the wrong thread), but I have not seen any info in any suspension thread explaining why the Maxspeeds on Innerbean's website show different drop info than what is advertised. What I mean is, why does the drop list 1.4F (~1 3/8") and 1.3R (~1 1/4"), but the pic with the maxspeeds installed show a difference from the stock 28 1/16"F being 1 5/16" drop (which is close enough to spec) but the difference from the stock 27 1/4"R was only a 1/4" difference, which is a full ~1" off of spec?

I'm looking to replace the suspension this summer, and I've been pretty much sold on the Maxspeed/Illumina combo as it seems to best fit my personal preferences, but I do not want to be surprised (much heh) by any differences. If the Maxspeeds do indeed follow the actual drop numbers shown in the pic as opposed to the listed drop specs, then that would actually be great as the ride height appears to be more level than stock, the rear maintains close to stock height (for passenger comfort), while the front loses the 4x4 look, and all around I get a better handling ride.

Thank you in advance for any input.

Well, that's an interesting question. Maybe manufacturers looked at the ground clearance of a brand new car where springs have not sagged yet.

To get a more accurate estimate on how your car will look check out these cardomain websites (all these guy got Maxspeeds)

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/417747/1 - SEmy2K2go's car

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/734886 -GBAUER's car

http://maxima.cardomain.com/ride/335521 - Lontar1's car

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/442543 - irish44j's car

[jafo2com]

Thank you for the response DrKlop. It's no big deal really, I was just curious. For all I know it could be something as simple as a typo.

[soundmike]

Originally Posted by jafo2com

Sorry if this question is off-topic DrKlop (pls edit if in the wrong thread), but I have not seen any info in any suspension thread explaining why the Maxspeeds on Innerbean's website show different drop info than what is advertised. What I mean is, why does the drop list 1.4F (~1 3/8") and 1.3R (~1 1/4"), but the pic with the maxspeeds installed show a difference from the stock 28 1/16"F being 1 5/16" drop (which is close enough to spec) but the difference from the stock 27 1/4"R was only a 1/4" difference, which is a full ~1" off of spec?

There could be another explanation for that - worn struts.

When i initially had my Maxspeeds on oem struts, the drop was actually lower and for a while it seemed like it wouldn't stop going down.

Then after about 10k miles it ocurred to me that my struts may already be worn. After i swapped them out for GR2's the drop was actually noticeably higher than when i had the oem struts. I've had the GR2's for about 15k now and the drop has stayed even since i first had them on.

[Maxz Max]

Guys,

I'm looking to drop my car and not to sure of what to do, every person I speak to tells me something different.

I was going to get the Eiback Pro Kits & Tokico HP Series (Shocks and Stuts). Til someone told me to get a DAMPENING Kits ( K Sport Kontrol Coilover Dampening kit)

Would anybody have any insight on this lil issue that I have???????

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by Maxz Max

Guys,

I'm looking to drop my car and not to sure of what to do, every person I speak to tells me something different.

I was going to get the Eiback Pro Kits & Tokico HP Series (Shocks and Stuts). Til someone told me to get a DAMPENING Kits ( K Sport Kontrol Coilover Dampening kit)

Would anybody have any insight on this lil issue that I have???????

I have listed all advantages and disadvantages of coilovers in post # 74.

If you plan to use spring/shock combo instead of coilovers it's better to get adjustable shocks so you can match damping force with your spring rate.

Also check out this thread: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=461186 Boss Chen coilovers seem to have all the advantages other coilover systems have and at the same time the are relatively soft and reliable.

[sciff5]

Originally Posted by DrKlop

I have listed all advantages and disadvantages of coilovers in post # 74.

If you plan to use spring/shock combo instead of coilovers it's better to get adjustable shocks so you can match damping force with your spring rate.

Also check out this thread: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=461186 Boss Chen coilovers seem to have all the advantages other coilover systems have and at the same time the are relatively soft and reliable.

Yeah I have started lookin at the chens too. If company could make a coilover thats as reliable as a spring/strut combo with a decent ride I would probably go for it. But Klop your always thinkin the same as me. Did you decide on what setup your gonna go with yet?

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by sciff5

Yeah I have started lookin at the chens too. If company could make a coilover thats as reliable as a spring/strut combo with a decent ride I would probably go for it. But Klop your always thinkin the same as me. Did you decide on what setup your gonna go with yet?

Nah man, I have to find out how much it is to professionally corner balance the car with coilovers. If I can afford that I will probably go with boss chans, if not it'll be either h-tech will illumins or Eibachs with Konis. h-tech/illumin combo got many positive reviews in my other thread.(link's in my sig)

I will be asking local guys to drive me around as I'll get closer to the point of lowering. If everything goes the way I planned I should get done with suspension before June.

[rtruchardson]

My 2000 has a 100,000+ Miles and I know it is time to replace the Shocks. What is a good brand to go with? The ride is still rather good;no bouncing or bottoming out when I go over bumps. Thanks

[friedbacon]

is there a thread on eibach vs h&r? i can't seem to find the link to it. Can someone please post the link?
thanks.

[ghostrider17]

[quote=Puppetmaster]Progress springs are soft and can be bouncy. I used to think that it was my HP struts that were the issue, but I realize now after playing around with the Illumina settings that the springs are indeed soft. I was under the impression that I need higher Illumina settings for them because of the drop, and used various combinations of settings 3-4. Loved the handling, but the ride was a tad harsh, obviously. I tried 2F 3R and it rides awesome now. Despite what I've said in the past, setting 2-3 dampers these springs sufficiently and provides a really nice ride. And yes, you will bottom out if you hit any large bumps because these springs are soft and low.

{QUOTE]

I'm still scratching my head on my own progress/illumina setup. I've tried multiple settings, and although i agree different settings on the struts make DRAMATIC changes in susp. perf -- mine is still bottoming-out on every damn thing in the road.
I REALLY don't think my struts are blown, as there is no obvious leaking fluid or anything like that. However - the two things that people neglect to mention when comparing susp. setups are 1) TIRES 2) Bumpstops.

I SUSPECT that my worn-out Kumho 712's are to blame for some of my issues. I'm going to get some new ToyoProxes4's soon, and hopefully that might help. However, I DID trim my bumpstops substantially, and I'm wondering if that has effected my overall "happiness" as well.
I DO know that my setup bottomed WORSE before the bumpstops were trimmed, so I think I can isolate it to the tires or springs.

Guys: when reporting susp. setup impressions, please mention tires and bumstop trim status -- I think it will help to get a more unified subjective opinion of overall susp. performance.

TWO years later, and I STILL don't know what to put on my car to make it PERFECT for my driving style.

gr

[irish44j]

Klop....add:

Canuck Motorsports Springs (00-03 Maxima)
Drop 1.8" front, 1.6" rear
Progressive rate
front initial rate 125 (high rate not supplied), rear (probably linear) rate 320

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by irish44j

Klop....add:

Canuck Motorsports Springs (00-03 Maxima)
Drop 1.8" front, 1.6" rear
Progressive rate
front initial rate 125 (high rate not supplied), rear (probably linear) rate 320

done, thanks

[Stereodude]

This thread seems very devoid of information on the differences between the different struts for Maximas. Like which ones are the closest to stock, and that kinda stuff.

I'm getting near the point where I need to replace my struts, and I'd like some guidance on which struts to buy.

[DrKlop]

Spring rates:

Eibach Pro: Front: 139-188 lbs/in Rear: 194-295-346 lbs/in

Vogtland: Front: 134 - 194 lb/in (working range 170 - 194 lb/in) Rear: 205 – 377 lb/in (working range 220 - 270 lb/in) [source: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...&postcount=13]

Tein H-tech: Front: 180 lbs/in Rear: 290 lbs/in

Tein S-tech: Front: 200 lbs/in Rear: 270 lbs/in

Progress Technology: Front : 165 lbs/in Rear : 250 lbs/in
(according to a different, unconfirmed source the rates could be 165-250 lbs/in in the front and 179-285 lbs/in in the rear.)

Canuck Motorsports: Drop 1.8" front, 1.6" rear
Progressive rate
front initial rate 125 (high rate not supplied), rear (probably linear) rate 320
[source: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...5&postcount=9]



H&R and Sprint refused to provide their spring rates.

Maxspeed Performance does not respond to my e-mails.

Note: Tein and Progress provided only one spring rate for their progressive springs.

Some useful shock info:

Tokico Illumina are designed for springs softer than 230 lbs/in in the frond and 315 lbs/in in the rear. (The technician also mentioned that these rates are approximate)

4th gen Tokico HP are designed for springs with 205 lbs/in front and 293 lbs/in rear spring rate. Information for 5th gen HPs in not available.
This is the graph of compression and rebound for VW Golf's OEM shocks and HPs designed for the same vehicle:

(IMO: since HPs give similar improvements for different vehicles, the difference between Maxima OEM and HP shocks should be similar as well.)

KYB compression/rebound settings: http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?...KybAgxSettings


Note: All information was provided directly by manufactures and I did not change it in any way.

Weight data: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...6&postcount=64

[Stereodude]

I found another thread on here that said the Tokico Blue's are the closest to the stock struts and that the KYB's are stiffer and give a harsher ride.

[DrKlop]

Stereodude, I personally would recommend getting Illuminas because they are designed to match our stock springs at their softest setting. Non adjustable shocks are stiffer and IMO should not be used with stock springs.

I do not believe that Blues can be used as OEM replacement shocks even though that was the first thing I was told when I called Tokico.

[Stereodude]

Is it possible to buy the OEM struts? If so, how much are they?

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by Stereodude

Is it possible to buy the OEM struts? If so, how much are they?

Ya you can buy them. The best place is probably Dave B (888-254-6060) Not sure about the price though.

[Stereodude]

Originally Posted by DrKlop

Ya you can buy them. The best place is probably Dave B (888-254-6060) Not sure about the price though.

Hmm... If I have to buy 'em from a stealership, I'm sure they're not cheap. I'll have to call and check though.

I don't really want to put Monroe Sensa-Trac's on my Maxima, but from what you're saying it seems that none of the aftermarket struts are a good match except the Tokico Illuminas, and they're pretty pricey.

[Puppetmaster]

Klop, you could add Sprint springs to the list as well. They're website has no info on spring rates, but I know they make em for 4th and 5th Gens, as well as I30/35s.

[Puppetmaster]

Originally Posted by Stereodude

Hmm... If I have to buy 'em from a stealership, I'm sure they're not cheap. I'll have to call and check though.

How about buying some used, low miles, OEM struts from the 5th Gen Classifieds? I feel like I see OEM suspension for sale all the time there.

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by Puppetmaster

Klop, you could add Sprint springs to the list as well. They're website has no info on spring rates, but I know they make em for 4th and 5th Gens, as well as I30/35s.

good idea... they aren't as popular as say H&R, but they still exist. I'm ganna try to find out spring rates as well.

BTW, I think I'll also add the drop provided by spring manufacturers to make it more complete.

[jasoner]

I finally paid my 00 Maxima and decided to get rid of a persistant clunking noise from front end when going over bumps. This occurs at all speeds and mainly over abrupt smaller bumos. We of course changed the struts and mounts woth oem parts. This did not fix the problem. We then changed the inner and outer tie rod ends and the problem still persisted. Next we changed the passenger ball joint. What else could it be?!! This problem really sucks. I can't spend much more cash on this thing.
The sound os a light to heavy pinging or knocking noise from the passenger side. Seems to be from front end for sure..

Thanks for any suggestions. I am about to sell it if I can't fix it. I really love the car if not for this seemingly unsovable problem.

[DrKlop]

Originally Posted by jasoner

I finally paid my 00 Maxima and decided to get rid of a persistant clunking noise from front end when going over bumps. This occurs at all speeds and mainly over abrupt smaller bumos. We of course changed the struts and