TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

So the topic is the difficult-to-aviod rear end sag.

I am curious for those who have this problem after lowering, is it:
1) Rear end sag
2) Suspension sag (wheel gap)

I am thinking of running 225/40/19 with 235/35/19. And running the 225's in the back, they will therefore be .5" taller overall.

If the issue is Rear end sag, this may correct it. Anyone tried this method?

kiyakerz

iTrader: (7)

I lowered my ride and didn't have any problems with rear end sagging. Then again I used coilovers so if I did have uneven heights I just adjusted them until I was happy.

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

Buy coilovers.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

I was thinking the same thing. But they don't make a good reliable coilover for our cars do they???

My car only has 95,000km on it (59 030miles)

So to replace the good Struts/springs with something that is not reliable, or only good for 2 years, is a hard pill for me to swallow.

And I don't plan on Auto-X or anything, just semi-spirited daily driver. I also have an 8month old riding along.

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

Tein SS coilovers would be your best bet. A lot of people say they ride like stock, handle awesome and you can adjust them to any height you desire. They last a really long time too.

Waxima

iTrader: (3)

What? There's plenty of great coilover setups out there for our cars. They're not cheap, but they're out there.

My rear end really sags and I'm not lowered. I'm think parking on a sloped driveway might have something to do with it. Probably going to have to replace the struts/springs after I get it so this stupid car gets more than 16 mpg mostly highway on 93.

trooplewis

iTrader: (1)

My wife won't even discuss this topic.

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

The wives of Maxima.org seem to be tightening up these days.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

Wat?

Saggy springs =/= bad gas mileage?

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

I think he means he's trying to figure out one issue at a time.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

Oh, okay.

16MPG highway is probably MAF.

Or a heavy foot.

kiyakerz

iTrader: (7)

I got ksports and I've been very happy with them. They come with their own mounts and can be had for 850 shipped or possibly cheaper if you know where to look. I couldn't get a whole new stock setup for that price (including the mounts)

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Megan coilovers. I've installed a LOT of suspension setups, and Megan's are my new favorite coilover. You can get them for about $850 shipped.

Ghost_54

iTrader: (13)

LOL - I know, off topic but I do have to ask when this idea came to mind did you approach the wife from behind? While making the comment about a sagging rear? before you could clarify the meaning.

If I could of afford coilovers at the time I would have gone with the Tein SS.

Currently running on Tein S Tech's and KYB GR2's for two years and have no sagging issues.

J-Rod

iTrader: (1)

kyb GR2's + progress springs = no sag for me... 7yrs now.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Very classy


Well maybe I've mis-read. I've been hunting through the forums for a good set up, and have not heard any consitant positive feedback on any suspension set up, let alone coil-overs.

Most of the feedback has been too stiff/don't last/ blown strut/ stripped collar/ etc, etc.

I wish Bilstein made shocks for our cars. Bilstein and H&R sounds like a perfect match for us.

So now I have a bunch of recomendations on the table... Are the Teins really any good? I have heard terrible things about Teins in the past, from my knowledge it's more of a 'Throw your $$ away for the brand name' company.
Heard good about the SS but $$.
Like I said not looking to AutoX or anything.

I was hoping to find a solid consensus thread with a percentage feedback and primary pros/cons to the set-ups we have tried. (Not 58 pages of banter)

^^^ Seems like it would be a stellar thread to have, it's been 10-11 years now for these cars don't we have a solid set up that retains some stock driveability but lowers the car 1-2"???

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

How low are you with that set up? How is the ride? I'm from Canada, this car will be running snow covered roads, cold temps, and not the best roads in the land. I want it dropped but a decent ride still. (Oxymoron much?)

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I think it's 1.6F/1.4R for Progress.

I ran Progress springs in the NE for 2 years. I was fine the entire time, even with a lot of snow.

J-Rod

iTrader: (1)

x2

IIRC that is about spot on. Ride is fine for me has been my DD for 11yrs now. However, the strut and springs have lasted alot longer than I thought they would, they are now showing signs of needing replaced,,, struts I mean. They really filled the wheel gap just purrrfect.

J-Rod

iTrader: (1)

Best all around set up. Drop, ride, performance, money spent.

Ghost_54

iTrader: (13)

^^^ I would have to agree with you J-Rod as that is the general consensuses I have on that setup.

My setup gave me 25 1/2" front and 26 1/4"rear, I enjoy my ride quality and performance but that is subjective, this about the lowest you can get without going to coilovers.

For a visual view on the different ride heights
http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

^ Investigating.

Shipping costs to Canada SUCK P.S. so that is signifigant factor.

Hearing great things about the Tein SS too... just not sure if I need them, also not sure about the 1.5" MIN drop in the front. Will be on 235/35/19 with Stillen lip kit. May be a snowplow??

papo99

iTrader: (33)

spend a couple extra dollars and get some jic coilovers you won't regret it in this pic i have jic's with 19's 255/35/19 in the rear

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

^I'm in NJ as well, did the winters bother you on that setup?

OP: maybe a front only HR drop?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

http://cgi.ebay.ca/KYB-4x-GR-2-STRUT...item5d2c52e4aa
+
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Progress-Technolo...83d74a2a7#shId

=
KYB - 364.24
Pro - 273.58
= $637.82

Tein SS pricing looks to be around $1400

Sounds like these are my options?

Nexus67 ---> Are you referring to just H&R in the front, OEM Struts?

maximase86

iTrader: (24)

You know it also doesn't help the rear wheel arch is smaller diameter and sits a little lower then the front arch. I know on my car it makes the car seem like it's sitting lower in the back.

S

Waxima

iTrader: (3)

Yep.

My mechanic pulled codes for the MAF after it died on the highway back in September. He said to start using 89 instead of 93 which I did. I cleaned the MAF about three weeks ago due to progressively poor fuel economy and what happens? Mileage gets even worse.

I think I'm going to replace the MAF and get a short-ram intake all in one shot once I find a job again. And, to stay on-topic, eventually get a new suspension setup.

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

Yeah, something like housecor's setup of old:

http://www.shiftice.com/2004_11_09.html

or comparative:

http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

If it weren't for housecor's page I would've made up my mind w/ the c/o's already. (Well that and some folks saying c/o's aren't nice to them in the winter)

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I'm telling you guys. Megan coilovers. $850 shipped. I've installed them all- Teins, JIC's, KSport, D2, BC's, Boss Chen's, Cattman, etc. Megans are a VERY VERY close second to the high end stuff like Tein or JIC. They're my new favorites for coilover performance, cost, build quality, ride quality, etc.

papo99

iTrader: (33)

i drove all winter no problem even when i had d2's on my 99 max i sat 4 inches from the ground

GBAUER

iTrader: (2)

D2's.

Preload the springs 1/2" (this is the absolute most crucial part). Crank down the shocks fully then back off 2 turns on all four corners. No bounce and perfect shock absorbsortion.

Anyone who has D2's needs to heed my word. I spent 6 months and 25,000 miles perfecting it.

GBAUER

iTrader: (2)

Uh, bro, your butt is saggin.

PS: it's a maxima. Not a race car. Going expensive (not that D2's are balla...) ain't gonna do all that much.

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

I love my D2s. By preloading them you mean compressing the springs 1/2"? Or letting the damper compress 1/2" when it's on the ground?

I like how they ride now, tight and stiff.

papo99

iTrader: (33)

It's sagging on purpose only because I was going to a show and 19x9.5 looks good a little tucked and there's no ride like JIC

eatfly

iTrader: (1)

Looking at the weight distribution of the 5th gen, and FWD cars in general, is it possible that Nissan designed the car to have rear end sag to compensate? If so, wouldn't it be bad for the balance of the car to not drop it evenly?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

It's already been cleared up:

The front wheel well is actually bigger. The 'sag' is more of an illusion. Not actually a height difference, but a wheel gap difference, at least for the most part.

One truth is the front spring/struts are designed to handle more weight, therefore if you do have weight in the back the rear compresses more than the front would.

Anyone care to chime in about how their 'no sag' setup holds up to weight in the back (subs/passengers, etc [for me its carseat, baby, stroller, misc. Used to be a sub box that took my entire trunk... how things change hahahaha])

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Are D2's really going to give me the ride I want? I am looking for as close to SE as I can get for ride quality. Moderate handling is fine I don't race the car, but I do want less body roll and crisper handling (it's like driving a buick currently IMO).

Also, from what I've read, the D2's just are not built to the standards I am looking for.
I have a 8 month old I'm a single dad, I dont have time to repair Suspension.
I especially dont have time to replace it after a year or two whether it's warranty or not.

If I put it on, it should stay on and work for as long as the OEM Struts/springs would, or I won't put it on.

Has something changed in the build quality that would make me consider these?

Thanks for the great imput guys, helping my decision along, so many options.....

GBAUER

iTrader: (2)

I literally compressed it 1/2" BEFORE lowering the car in the springs. It softened the ride slightly (the springs are too stiff for the weight of the car) taking out the bounce completely. Made the car feel like new and was very nearly as comfortable as a stock suspension (but stiff). It rode like I was on coilovers worth 2-3 times as much money.

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

Oh okay b/c I've heard folks that had issues (non-major) w/ winter setups.