jgilbs

So I just replaced all 4 shocks(rears were a PITA - way more so than the fronts). After I was done battling with the rears I did the fronts, and wasn't paying attention to which shock I grabbed. Does it really matter if I installed the "wrong" shock on the wrong side? I'm just assuming thAt one is slightly stiffer to compensate for the fact that the engine is on one side? Or should I pull them out and put them on the right sides if they are incorrect?

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

they're different for a reason. Put them where they belong.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Yes it matters and should be self explanatory as to which one goes where lol

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

The only major difference is the abs and Brake line clip locations.

But yes, put them in the right spots, because you don't want to have a problem with that.

It sucks that you messed up, it happens. Now fix it.

Rods03Max619

iTrader: (5)

This....

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

and for stock springs wouldnt the spring seat be in the wrong position? I think it would be

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

I thought this for a second too, but no, when you put the left side on the Right, you turn it 180* to accomodate, which puts the spring seat in the same position no matter what.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

correct again

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Honestly, if they fit, there's not any crazy reason you CANT do it. But to do it PROPERLY (mismatch) you need to cut off and re-weld the abs/brake line brackets in the right location.

I can't think of a situation where it would make sense to do it though.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

no the clip is the only difference I can think of but it is important to keep that out of the way and swapping them over and just scoffing securing the ABS lines can be a very bad thing

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

My brain hurts now.somebody hold me!!!

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

AznRyan

iTrader: (1)

cabernet

Dam that food looks good. What is it? Calamari and shrimp pasta? Got a recipe?

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

recipe is in the I Dont Have the Fastest 5.5 thread mixed panfried seafood over curry angel hair

joemax89

Well if you think about it, cuz you all haven't done it enough, there is a 50% chance he put them on the right way

jgilbs

Took the wheels off and looked, they are in fact on the correct sides (ABS and Brake clips did line up). 170k on the fronts and they still had some life left in them(I'm 2nd owner - previous owner did all maintenance at dealership, Carfax showed no suspension work, and the shocks I pulled off were OEM). Not too shabby, Nissan.

AznRyan - its an easy mistake to make. If you were running on 3 hours of sleep, I guarantee you could have made the same mistake.

One oddity I noticed when putting them back on - the passenger side strut mount didn't want to line up properly(it was kinda of hard to get it off as well). I had to grind out a little bit from each of the holes (we are talking a VERY little bit, nothing I'm worried about from a structural perspective) in order to actually install the top bolts. Has anyone else experienced this? This is the side I hit with a pothole HARD a little over a year ago and am wondering if I warped something.

At any rate, installation was successful. Now I just need some free time to tackle the ball joints.

jgilbs

Ha, I was thinking this. And for the first time ever, I actually came up on the correct side of the dice

Again, easy mistake to make - especially if you do the rears first which are identical to each other.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

glad you got it on there. Enjoy

AznRyan

iTrader: (1)

jgilbs - I wasn't trying to give you a hard time, more just trying to find a place to put a funny pic. Glad you got everything taken care of!

essential1

iTrader: (5)

Struts are the same as far as dampening goes. Only difference are the brake line clips and the top hats.

jgilbs

AznRyan - no worries, I can't say I've never done the same

So after replacing all 4 struts, I am still having some suspension issues. Apparently hitting that pothole did more damage than just popping a tire. I still have a clunk when hitting some bumps, and the suspension feels "wobbly". So looks like I have to replace both control arms (one might be bent - and I found them as a set for $95 shipped, so that way I also get new balljoints for less hassle), and a strut mount on the right side(only $22 shipped - I think it was hard to get back in the car because it was bent!)

I jacked the car up and did NOT feel any wobble in the tires in the 6-12 or 3-9 positions. Does that mean my tie rods are likely OK? They are cheap enough to replace, but sounds like they are a big PITA.

Luckily I have a 6 month warranty on my alignment, so the additional alignments shouldn't cost anything (this go around, and then again if I need to replace tie rods)

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Tie rod ends are best checked with waterpump pliers or the like.

Any Vertical play is a fail.

And it sounds most likely that this is either a ball joint or tie rod issue.

Rods03Max619

iTrader: (5)

Dont know if I missed it, but what kind of struts and springs did you get....

jgilbs

I kept my stock springs and went with KYB shocks. I replaced them because they were shot, not because I was lowering or doing anything like that.

jgilbs

How do I check them with pliars? Just try to wriggle the ends?

The plan is to replace the CAs (so that I get new balljoints) and the strut mount (which I KNOW is bent), and see how things go, if I still have issues, then I will replace the tie rods (do I need to do both sides, or can I just do the one that is having issues?).

Rods03Max619

iTrader: (5)

Yeah seen the mileage probably Floting Like A Caddy....

jgilbs

Yeah, it is a marked difference. However, they weren't as terrible as I have seen in other cars with 100k less mileage. I am VERY impressed with the OEM strut quality. I have heard that they are actually re-branded KYBs.

Once I get the rest of the parts on, she should handle like new. And the best part is, for basically a complete suspension overhaul, it still cost me less than 1 or 2 months of car payments if I bought it new