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?

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

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.

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.

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?

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

Thanks, I do not see a part # for the 05 Maxima on there site.

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.

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.

Who makes the quickstruts?

i believe they're monroe..........

i believe they're monroe..........

More specifically, it's Tenneco

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!!!