Anyone with Stock Springs & Illuminas?

petemo95se · 11-13-2008, 06:19 AM

I've been down the route of using adjustable struts (AGX) and lowering spriings (H&R) on my 95SE. Now with a 2K2 SE, I don't mind the wheel gap, don't have the need for lowering it again (getting old), but want the adjustability of the struts.

Is there anyone out there running Illumina's on stock springs? Any feedback would be appreciated.

I did not find much in terms of comments of this combination. Much appreciated.

Torgus · 11-13-2008, 06:53 AM

i'm not but i can guarantee it'll eb better then stock simply because you can adjust them...

and i'm sorry you are getting old ;(

kcxd35 · 11-13-2008, 09:36 AM

^ Is right but you can go lower without actually going lower, Get something like H&R...

mist max2000 · 11-13-2008, 09:54 AM

h&R are the mildest drop you can get for an 02 max IIRC ,..and are said to provide more comfort then a stock spring and some added handling ,..

not what you are looking for but though it would help

OOmaxSE · 11-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Illumina's set at 2/2 all around = stock strut/shocks. IIRC, a member or two have been running 3/4 with stock springs for a more firm ride but not bouncy or harsh. Hope this helps!

maximumobsesion · 11-13-2008, 06:20 PM

i rolled with that set up for a while.great set up as long as you dont mind the gap..now im running the h&rs on blues in the front and all stock in the back dosnt ride as good as stock but worth the slight loss in ride to close that gap definitly as even as it gets.

Maxima-Ness · 11-13-2008, 07:47 PM

Ive got Illuminas with H&R springs up front with stock springs in rear. Nice enough ride for me.

kbohip · 11-16-2008, 12:57 AM

I run stock springs with Illuminas on the front and back and the car handles like a dream, or at least as good as a fwd Maxima can handle. I find that 2/2 works out pretty good for mostly city driving, but I set the fronts at 3 if I'm going on a long road trip at high speeds.

I do have a clunking sound coming from my front struts but I think it might be worn strut mounts? After 6+ years on Colorado's pot hole ridden mess of a road system, I'm sure they're beyond dead.

wyche89 · 11-16-2008, 08:03 AM

man, let me tell you.. you and i are one of the very few maxima owners that dont mind the wheel gap on our cars.. lol.. everybody says "you need to drop it!" it just doesn't bother me though.. anyways, i do have stock springs and illuminas.. i got em set on 5 all around.. so they're pretty damn harsh going over bumps.. but they feel pretty good going around turns.. alot better than stock.. don't 4get.. make sure you have a good set of tires to keep you planted too

*SoonerFan* · 11-16-2008, 08:28 AM

your first reason for dropping shouldnt be the wheel gap...it should be the drastically improved handling. stock springs wont provide that....no matter what struts you use.

petemo95se · 11-16-2008, 08:42 AM

Well after coming from a 95 SE with a HUGE gap in the wheels, I lowered it with H&R and and installed AGX's. Over time, I got tired of the feel of the H&Rs (mainly b/c I'm getting older - 45!). So when I bought an 02 SE, my first thought was "WOW! No wheel gap. I can keep the stock springs!".

Now this is all relative b/c some say the 5 GEN Maxima has a huge wheel gap, I tend to disagree when compared to the 95 SE. I like the stock ride of the 02 SE except for the REBOUND, which to me is way too much. Need more control, hence the need for Illuminas. Thought of going back to the AGX's, but I like to change things up a bit.

Illimuna's may be coming for Christmas.

wyche89 · 11-16-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerFan

your first reason for dropping shouldnt be the wheel gap...it should be the drastically improved handling.

the ONLY reason i would consider getting lowering springs is for the handling performance and high speed stability.. i have no desire to be lowered at all for cosmetic reasons

*SoonerFan* · 11-16-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyche89

the ONLY reason i would consider getting lowering springs is for the handling performance and high speed stability.. i have no desire to be lowered at all for cosmetic reasons

though the cosmetic benefit is an added bonus

*niceguy* · 11-16-2008, 05:37 PM

Now the suspension guys will correct me I'm sure if I'm wrong, but aside from the entirely different suspension layout/geometry, isn't the soft spring/stiff shock setup what BMWs use in a sense?

I thought I had read or heard that some time ago which seemed to make sense but anyway...

OOmaxSE · 11-16-2008, 08:31 PM

Well, stock springs and upgraded struts will probably handle better than some lowering springs for the Maxima... considering the geometry and how the Maxima is laid out, suspension- wise.

maxgen5 · 11-18-2008, 12:10 PM

I just ordered a set of Illumina struts from importrp to go with my stock coils and have high expectations. I will probably raise the rear slightly to level it since it is sagging by 1/2" and add a 1" spacer for looks. I need to keep the stock height to clear my driveway dip. I needed a better strut, because it seems that the struts bottom out in the rear and the fronts are rattling, but they don't bounce on and on. They should be here in a few days... free shipping.

petemo95se · 11-18-2008, 12:20 PM

Before you install the struts, be sure to also order and replace your strut mounts and any other piece within reach.

The struts make noise up front, not so much from the stuts being bad, but from the mounts going soft. If you hear any clunking up front, it's most likely your strut mounts going bad. Change them while in there.

PeteMo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxgen5

I just ordered a set of Illumina struts from importrp to go with my stock coils and have high expectations. I will probably raise the rear slightly to level it since it is sagging by 1/2" and add a 1" spacer for looks. I need to keep the stock height to clear my driveway dip. I needed a better strut, because it seems that the struts bottom out in the rear and the fronts are rattling, but they don't bounce on and on. They should be here in a few days... free shipping.

Parthur · 11-18-2008, 05:01 PM

I am in the same boat that petemo95se, I want illuminas and prefer to keep the stock springs, now my first question is: what else do I need to change while I am there, I mean strut mounts and what else.... second, with 9yrs on my max, do the sprint go bad?? is there a need to change them, no I dont want to lower the car.
Thanks.

maxgen5 · 11-18-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petemo95se

Before you install the struts, be sure to also order and replace your strut mounts and any other piece within reach.

The struts make noise up front, not so much from the stuts being bad, but from the mounts going soft. If you hear any clunking up front, it's most likely your strut mounts going bad. Change them while in there.

PeteMo.

Thanks for the heads up. I changed the strut bearings (mounts) first thing when I heard it and checked all the other components while I was under there. I had no change at all. My Nissan mechanic buddy tells me that it's common for the stock shocks to give a rattle even if they still work fine.

I've checked my motor mounts, replaced the wheel bearings, hubs, rotors, brake pads, tires, strut bearing/mounts and next are stock struts and worn tie rod ends. Not trying to get off topic here since I know there are so many other threads to address this issue... still upgrading parts.

I think the stock struts allow too much travel and want to eliminate it with the Illumina struts, but keep the stock ride feel for wifey.

maxgen5 · 11-24-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxgen5

Thanks for the heads up. I changed the strut bearings (mounts) first thing when I heard it and checked all the other components while I was under there. I had no change at all. My Nissan mechanic buddy tells me that it's common for the stock shocks to give a rattle even if they still work fine.

I've checked my motor mounts, replaced the wheel bearings, hubs, rotors, brake pads, tires, strut bearing/mounts and next are stock struts and worn tie rod ends. Not trying to get off topic here since I know there are so many other threads to address this issue... still upgrading parts.

I think the stock struts allow too much travel and want to eliminate it with the Illumina struts, but keep the stock ride feel for wifey.

WOW... I just did the install on Saturday. Changed all 4 struts, front strut bearings, tie rod ends (caused the rattle) on stock springs and have to say... I Love these shocks. They are setup on 3. I tried all settings and may tweak after driving in varied conditions, but 2 was too soft for me and 4 was too stiff with the family. I cannot figure out how to get a lift in the rear yet. My coil spacers would not work. I'll post on that one separately.

One other interesting surprise... I marked the tie rods with paint and left the jam nut in the same spot when I put the ends on and when I went to get the front end aligned, they drove it and checked it and said.. what's wrong? Everything is in perfect alignment. I just can't believe it and will take it to a second location to have it checked again.

It feels like a brand new car now. Next item on the list is sound proofing everything with at least 2 layers of Dynamat.

saty · 11-24-2008, 11:17 PM

Where do you guys order your strut and how much did you pay for them? I'm looking to change all four corners with Illumina. Is Illumina make by Tokico?