Brownie^HP 6 Posted December 21, 2014 My son has 2005 Nissan Maxima (120000 miles) that is in need of front end work, we will be doing the work together. Without a doubt it needs struts and outer tie rods. I'm considering the Gabriel Ready Mount struts. They are ready to install right out the box http://gabriel.com/light-vehicle/products/readymount/. Has anyone here used this strut or have suggestions on another make of struts to use? Also I think the rack and pinion is on it way out. I've found re-manufactured and new ones. Any rack manufacturers to stay away from or go with? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1LtCAP 4,264 Posted December 21, 2014 i haven't used the gabriels, but i've installed quickstruts. they're pretty easy. COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER PFP:56210 Removal and Installation EES0018P REMOVAL 1. Remove the wheel and tire using power tool. Refer to WT-4, " Removal " . 2. Disconnect the wheel sensor wire and front brake hose from the brackets on the front shock absorber (strut). 3. Disconnect the connecting rod upper link using power tool. 4. Support the wheel hub and steering knuckle assembly with a suitable wire. 5. Remove the engine side covers. 6. Remove the shock absorber lower bolts and nuts using power tool. 7. Remove the three upper coil spring and shock absorber (strut) assembly nuts using power tool. CAUTION: Do not remove piston rod lock nut on vehicle. 8. Remove the coil spring and shock absorber (strut) assembly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1LtCAP 4,264 Posted December 21, 2014 COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER FSU-9 C D F G H I J K L M A B FSU Revision: April 2008 2005 Maxima COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER PFP:56210 Removal and Installation EES0018P REMOVAL 1. Remove the wheel and tire using power tool. Refer to WT-4, " Removal " . 2. Disconnect the wheel sensor wire and front brake hose from the brackets on the front shock absorber (strut). 3. Disconnect the connecting rod upper link using power tool. 4. Support the wheel hub and steering knuckle assembly with a suitable wire. 5. Remove the engine side covers. 6. Remove the shock absorber lower bolts and nuts using power tool. 7. Remove the three upper coil spring and shock absorber (strut) assembly nuts using power tool. CAUTION: Do not remove piston rod lock nut on vehicle. 8. Remove the coil spring and shock absorber (strut) assembly. INSTALLATION Installation is in the reverse order of removal. After installation, check that the front wheel alignment is within specification. Refer to FSU-6, " Front Wheel Alignment " . When installing the strut spacer, it must be positioned as shown. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. Refer to FSU-5, " Com- ponents " . WARNING: Always replace the shock absorber lower mounting nuts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1LtCAP 4,264 Posted December 21, 2014 i can't remember if these have camber adjustment built into the lower strut bolts or not. just in case, mark the head of each bolt. put a mark at 12oclock, and when you remove them, you'll be able to see if there's an eccentric built into the bolt or not. if there is, then put them back in the exact same position to be close. if not, then it doesn't matter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brownie^HP 6 Posted December 21, 2014 i haven't used the gabriels, but i've installed quickstruts. they're pretty easy. COIL SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER PFP:56210 Removal and Installation EES0018P REMOVAL 1. Remove the wheel and tire using power tool. Refer to WT-4, " Removal " . 2. Disconnect the wheel sensor wire and front brake hose from the brackets on the front shock absorber (strut). 3. Disconnect the connecting rod upper link using power tool. 4. Support the wheel hub and steering knuckle assembly with a suitable wire. 5. Remove the engine side covers. 6. Remove the shock absorber lower bolts and nuts using power tool. 7. Remove the three upper coil spring and shock absorber (strut) assembly nuts using power tool. CAUTION: Do not remove piston rod lock nut on vehicle. 8. Remove the coil spring and shock absorber (strut) assembly Who makes the quickstruts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuRrEaLNJ 294 Posted December 21, 2014 Monroe makes quick struts. Allot of companies have quick strut like assemblies. Saves you needed a spring compressor or worrying about caps or bearing plates Mark everything you take out, whiteout is good for this, tie rods struts, etc,your best chance at not being way off on alignment. Maximas might have a non eccentric camber alignment with the lower knuckle hole elongated for adjustment, but it's been some time since I had one apart. As far as brand when I was at the independent shop it was napa for domestic, world PAC supplied (Bosch denso, etc) for imports. In most cases look at the warranty, the longer the warranty on a part the less likely you will need it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brownie^HP 6 Posted December 21, 2014 Thanks, I do not see a part # for the 05 Maxima on there site. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted December 21, 2014 Even if you get everything fairly precise after installation you should still have an alignment done. If you would prefer to re-use your springs and potentially save a few $$, you're more than welcome to borrow my strut spring compressors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DbleTrouble 8 Posted December 21, 2014 What makes you think the rack is going out? Did you check the tierods? I've been hearing nothing but bad things about rebuilt steering racks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1LtCAP 4,264 Posted December 21, 2014 Who makes the quickstruts? i believe they're monroe.......... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A-Tech 8 Posted December 21, 2014 i believe they're monroe..........More specifically, it's Tenneco Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brownie^HP 6 Posted January 5, 2015 I want to first say thank you to everyone for their input on my sons front end repairs. I found the Monroe quick struts for the Maxima by crossover part #'s for a 2005 Altima. The Monroe website did not have a quick strut part # for the Maxima and when I called them I was told the same thing. The 2005 Altima w/3.5 and the 2005 Maxima w/3.5 share a lot of the same parts. The part #'s for the just the struts and associated parts are the same for both cars. So I got the quick struts for the Altima and we installed them on the Maxima with no problems. We also did a outer tie rod end, I think the rack is ok we changed the power steering fluid it was like water (some shop told him he needed a new rack). We had a wheel alignment done, the front end is ok now. Thanks!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites