Suspension TSB
05-21-2008, 04:41 PM
#1
Suspension TSB
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a new suspsion part replacement for Maximas that are making noises that are not due to a defective shock/strut. Nissan has replaced the rubber bushings with a thicker silicon bushing which will not dry, crack or deteriorate.
If you have a noise under the hood where the strut tower mount is located ....that's probably due to this part that needs to be replaced.
Part #54034-ZK00A
Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a new suspsion part replacement for Maximas that are making noises that are not due to a defective shock/strut. Nissan has replaced the rubber bushings with a thicker silicon bushing which will not dry, crack or deteriorate.
If you have a noise under the hood where the strut tower mount is located ....that's probably due to this part that needs to be replaced.
Part #54034-ZK00A
Last edited by NismoMax80; 05-28-2008 at 02:35 PM.
05-21-2008, 09:23 PM
#8
If this was a recall, most of us would receive a letter from Nissan cause of a safety concern that needs to be taken care of
A TSB is nothing more then a fix for a random issue that pops up on unknown cars (not a safety concern, just an annoyance) , the dealers know its a random issue and will fix it when the customer complains, make sure your well informed about your cars overall condition and maintenance cause dealers use this to pull in unsuspecting owners with Nissan recommended services and they add in many of their own dealer recommended stuff that is nothing more then profit for them.
Not that I would advise anyone but most cars have dozens of TSB, my fathers ES350 had some weird brake squeak at 20k, I looked on clublexus and could not believe all the TSB a 2007 ES350 had, he took it in and they not only did the rear brake TSB, but the front brake TSB and put new pads on it all around
If you don't have a problem don't go looking, unless your a hypochondriac.
A TSB is nothing more then a fix for a random issue that pops up on unknown cars (not a safety concern, just an annoyance) , the dealers know its a random issue and will fix it when the customer complains, make sure your well informed about your cars overall condition and maintenance cause dealers use this to pull in unsuspecting owners with Nissan recommended services and they add in many of their own dealer recommended stuff that is nothing more then profit for them.
Not that I would advise anyone but most cars have dozens of TSB, my fathers ES350 had some weird brake squeak at 20k, I looked on clublexus and could not believe all the TSB a 2007 ES350 had, he took it in and they not only did the rear brake TSB, but the front brake TSB and put new pads on it all around
If you don't have a problem don't go looking, unless your a hypochondriac.
05-22-2008, 09:55 AM
#10
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a new suspsion part replacement for Maximas that are making noises that are not due to a defective shock/strut. Nissan has replaced the rubber bushings with a thicker silicon bushing which will not dry, crack or deteriorate.
If you have a noise under the hood where the strut tower mount is located ....that's probably due to this part that needs to be replaced.
Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a new suspsion part replacement for Maximas that are making noises that are not due to a defective shock/strut. Nissan has replaced the rubber bushings with a thicker silicon bushing which will not dry, crack or deteriorate.
If you have a noise under the hood where the strut tower mount is located ....that's probably due to this part that needs to be replaced.
05-22-2008, 10:46 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 834
05-23-2008, 07:24 AM
#16
I will ask my mechanic friend tonight for the part number. And the dealers know full well about the strut mount problems. They replaced mine on warranty...all the parts under the hood that hold the suspension together including the bearing. I hate it when dealers play innocent.
05-23-2008, 08:58 AM
#17
I will ask my mechanic friend tonight for the part number. And the dealers know full well about the strut mount problems. They replaced mine on warranty...all the parts under the hood that hold the suspension together including the bearing. I hate it when dealers play innocent.
05-26-2008, 03:00 PM
#19
Hi Guys....my mechanic friend will get the part number tomorrow. The part is called a rubber insulator...my bad, I got it wrong I thought the new one was Silicon, in fact it's rubber. The difference between the new piece and the old one is that there is no metal part stiffener anymore which eliminated the banging as that metal starts to rust out and then makes a noise when the car moves up and down and you end up with metal on metal.
05-27-2008, 04:16 PM
#23
Hi Guys,
My Mechanic friend just finished work at 7PM tonight so as soon as he gets back, he'll call me with the part number. However just in case...I will be at the dealer tomorrow and I will do my best to get the part number at that time if he forgot.
Cheers!
My Mechanic friend just finished work at 7PM tonight so as soon as he gets back, he'll call me with the part number. However just in case...I will be at the dealer tomorrow and I will do my best to get the part number at that time if he forgot.
Cheers!
05-27-2008, 06:54 PM
#24
Cool, I know a good many of us are waiting for you to give us some good news on this part. Thanks for your help.
05-28-2008, 07:37 AM
#26
Hi Guys,
So as promised I passed by the dealer and got the part number.
54034-2K00A
The first number is a five not S and those are all zero's.
Good luck to all.
So as promised I passed by the dealer and got the part number.
54034-2K00A
The first number is a five not S and those are all zero's.
Good luck to all.
Last edited by xorbitman; 05-28-2008 at 07:39 AM.
05-28-2008, 01:30 PM
#29
05-29-2008, 01:51 PM
#31
I ordered my new pieces ($36 total) and hopefully they will be in on Saturday so I can install them with my new Monroe SensaTrac Struts. I will report any progress I make. My parts guy did confirm that this part is an upgrade from the previous piece but he could not confirm what was actually different on the part.
06-03-2008, 06:25 PM
#33
Ok, I installed my Monroe SentraTrac Struts 
and I bought and installed the new upper spring isolator and it has made a difference in the responsiveness and suspension sound dampening. (I have pics of the old and new pieces on my cell phone if someone could host them.) The Monroes are not cheap at @ $120 per strut but they seem to be made better than the OEM crap. Once removed, my right strut was able to be pushed all the way down with one hand and not with a lot of force. Plus I could hear it gurgling inside like there was a leak in the internal gasket. The new ones dampen well and have a better rebound. The new Upper spring mount isoulator does NOT have the metal piece sandwiched in between two pieces of rubber so it is softer and offers a quieter ride over bumps. I still get a small clunk over bigger breaks in the pavement but nothing like before. Before I could hit a manhole cover that has a 1 inch drop from the road surface and my right wheel area would clunk. I think the final piece will be Taz's endlinks (when they are offered again). MY OEM endlinks have about 7000 miles on them and are still pretty tight in the joints and the bushings are good but Taz's will definately be an upgrade. The endlinks themselves seem to be a bad design in that they are so long and it puts greater force and stress on them than if they were shorter like the rears. But I'm no mechanical engineer so they may say the length gives them leverage but I say it makes for a weak link and a pivot point.
So my overall impression is that the new isolator is worth the investment of $36 and the Monroe struts are a nice improvement, the ride is barely firmer than the stock strut but then again these are brand new and better quality with a lifetime gurantee. Also, I am on the Progress springs too and I am very happy with the ride, especially on the highway. Coincidently, my very, very slight shimmy I would get on some highways that aren't perfectly smooth when cruising at 55-65 MPH .... was missing today.
and I bought and installed the new upper spring isolator and it has made a difference in the responsiveness and suspension sound dampening. (I have pics of the old and new pieces on my cell phone if someone could host them.) The Monroes are not cheap at @ $120 per strut but they seem to be made better than the OEM crap. Once removed, my right strut was able to be pushed all the way down with one hand and not with a lot of force. Plus I could hear it gurgling inside like there was a leak in the internal gasket. The new ones dampen well and have a better rebound. The new Upper spring mount isoulator does NOT have the metal piece sandwiched in between two pieces of rubber so it is softer and offers a quieter ride over bumps. I still get a small clunk over bigger breaks in the pavement but nothing like before. Before I could hit a manhole cover that has a 1 inch drop from the road surface and my right wheel area would clunk. I think the final piece will be Taz's endlinks (when they are offered again). MY OEM endlinks have about 7000 miles on them and are still pretty tight in the joints and the bushings are good but Taz's will definately be an upgrade. The endlinks themselves seem to be a bad design in that they are so long and it puts greater force and stress on them than if they were shorter like the rears. But I'm no mechanical engineer so they may say the length gives them leverage but I say it makes for a weak link and a pivot point. So my overall impression is that the new isolator is worth the investment of $36 and the Monroe struts are a nice improvement, the ride is barely firmer than the stock strut but then again these are brand new and better quality with a lifetime gurantee. Also, I am on the Progress springs too and I am very happy with the ride, especially on the highway. Coincidently, my very, very slight shimmy I would get on some highways that aren't perfectly smooth when cruising at 55-65 MPH .... was missing today.
06-03-2008, 08:59 PM
#34
Ok, I installed my Monroe SentraTrac Struts and I bought and installed the new upper spring isolator and it has made a difference in the responsiveness and suspension sound dampening. (I have pics of the old and new pieces on my cell phone if someone could host them.) The Monroes are not cheap at @ $120 per strut but they seem to be made better than the OEM crap. Once removed, my right strut was able to be pushed all the way down with one hand and not with a lot of force. Plus I could hear it gurgling inside like there was a leak in the internal gasket. The new ones dampen well and have a better rebound. The new Upper spring mount isoulator does NOT have the metal piece sandwiched in between two pieces of rubber so it is softer and offers a quieter ride over bumps. I still get a small clunk over bigger breaks in the pavement but nothing like before. Before I could hit a manhole cover that has a 1 inch drop from the road surface and my right wheel area would clunk......
and I bought and installed the new upper spring isolator and it has made a difference in the responsiveness and suspension sound dampening. (I have pics of the old and new pieces on my cell phone if someone could host them.) The Monroes are not cheap at @ $120 per strut but they seem to be made better than the OEM crap. Once removed, my right strut was able to be pushed all the way down with one hand and not with a lot of force. Plus I could hear it gurgling inside like there was a leak in the internal gasket. The new ones dampen well and have a better rebound. The new Upper spring mount isoulator does NOT have the metal piece sandwiched in between two pieces of rubber so it is softer and offers a quieter ride over bumps. I still get a small clunk over bigger breaks in the pavement but nothing like before. Before I could hit a manhole cover that has a 1 inch drop from the road surface and my right wheel area would clunk......Hi Guys....my mechanic friend will get the part number tomorrow. The part is called a rubber insulator...my bad, I got it wrong I thought the new one was Silicon, in fact it's rubber. The difference between the new piece and the old one is that there is no metal part stiffener anymore which eliminated the banging as that metal starts to rust out and then makes a noise when the car moves up and down and you end up with metal on metal.
Last edited by xorbitman; 06-03-2008 at 09:03 PM.
06-04-2008, 11:56 AM
#35
06-29-2008, 12:10 PM
#36
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 170
How come there is no actual TSB on this issue? I started having this problem after I had my GR2/progress on for about 2500 miles. My dealership will not cover this repair under warranty because there is no actual TSB. The lack of a TSB does not make sense to me, being that Nissan is offering a different part.
The only suspension TSB that I/dealer could find was one about a clunk in the front suspension in which the fix is torquing the front stabilizer.
The only suspension TSB that I/dealer could find was one about a clunk in the front suspension in which the fix is torquing the front stabilizer.
09-01-2008, 10:03 AM
#37
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2
Hi fellow Maxima Owners.
Please forgive me if I am being redundant or am asking something already asked but I just came back from a rather long roadtrip with my 04 Max and noticed this shimmy we are all speaking of. Just bought the car by the way. Does replacing the struts eliminate "the shimmy" ? I also checked the tire pressure and noticed that they were at 42 psi, I lowered them to 36, adviseable? Which struts are recommended as replacements as in make and so forth?
Thanks in advance
Please forgive me if I am being redundant or am asking something already asked but I just came back from a rather long roadtrip with my 04 Max and noticed this shimmy we are all speaking of. Just bought the car by the way. Does replacing the struts eliminate "the shimmy" ? I also checked the tire pressure and noticed that they were at 42 psi, I lowered them to 36, adviseable? Which struts are recommended as replacements as in make and so forth?
Thanks in advance
