Best I35 struts

[DblOsmith]

Eik

zerothread/214767

I just did it on Sat. so it's pretty fresh in my mind. So let me know if you have any questions as you go. I will say that getting at the top bolts for the rear struts mounts was a huge pain. They are hard to get at in these little boxed in spaces behind the rear seats.

Eikon, do you have pics of how to in changing adjusting illuminas?

[mrrbiggz]

I would recommend the Illuminas hands down or........coilovers baby

[DblOsmith]

:resurrected:

Anyway, So, I got it done a few months ago. Cattman RSB, Otto STB, and Tokico Illuminas all around. The installer set everything on 3 and the ride was nice. I wasn't overwhelmed but definitely more controlled. After ripping half the trunk out, I found out how to adjust the backs, and set all four to 5. It's very firm, I'll say that. Very little horizon change during turns. It does very well. It's not teeth-chattering, dental appointment needing hard like I thought it'd be but it's hard enough to where, I'll prolly back them all down to 4 and call it good at some point. Thanks for all your input!!!

[sloanie]

I want to keep this car but I am having some serious "new car wants" after sailing my boat to & from work 37 miles each way every morning and evening at about 80 mph.Modified by NewDad=4drs at 12:11 PM 8/22/2009

Hahaha! Exactly. The car doesn't look / feel big enough to be a boat, but it sure feels that way especially on the freeway.

:resurrected:

Anyway, So, I got it done a few months ago. Cattman RSB, Otto STB, and Tokico Illuminas all around. The installer set everything on 3 and the ride was nice. I wasn't overwhelmed but definitely more controlled. After ripping half the trunk out, I found out how to adjust the backs, and set all four to 5. It's very firm, I'll say that. Very little horizon change during turns. It does very well. It's not teeth-chattering, dental appointment needing hard like I thought it'd be but it's hard enough to where, I'll prolly back them all down to 4 and call it good at some point. Thanks for all your input!!!

So I just picked up a 2004 i35 w/ 64k miles on it and initially it was very familiar-- I had an 02 Maxima SE (manual 6 speed transmission... oh how I miss that) so the body style and interior are similar. The ride when I hop on the freeway is much different, however. My guess was that this was a function of this car filling a different niche for Infiniti than the more sporty G series, but really, last night on the freeway I was awfully uncomfortable driving through some construction zones.

Sounds like this can be improved (I've never really had to mess with the suspension in any car I've driven previously so this is all new to me)-- any tips on where to shop for these parts? (Cattman RSB, Otto STB, Tokico Illuminas... anything else I should be looking at?) I'm thinking I'll pick them up and have them installed (and set to 4, per your experience).

[hangout]

I had the same car for a year, sold it already..

Don't waste money on that issue,, that's the way they designed it for. like Lexus ES300.. very soft and smooth.. NO handling AT ALL !!

best way to do is, sell the car then add a few thousand bucks to get a G35, then you make your money worth it. and can drive it like a HERO

[audtatious]

The I35 and Maxima have the same suspension geometry. Springs, struts, RSB, FSTB and firmer FSB bushings will tighten it up immensely. Some are simply happy with a RSB to tame it going around corners.

[MinisterofDOOM]

best way to do is, sell the car then add a few thousand bucks to get a G35, then you make your money worth it. and can drive it like a HERO

I definitely can't agree. The G35 is MUCH smaller than the Max/I35. Yes, it might be a better handling platform out of the box, but it is a lot less car than the I. And you can still make the I handle quite well. Different swaybars to shift the handling bias to the rear, poly bushings, strut braces, and the right spring/shock combo will completely transform the car.

The Max certainly has the potential to handle well. The G simply happens to handle better stock than the Max does stock. Mods change everything.

[hangout]

I think I said at the beginning, I-35 is soft and smooth, was designed that way to against the lexus ES class.. not for race track,, also my personal thought is, if it needs to do a lot mods to cars means I am not satisfied with the vehicle,, then ,, why not just put all the money together to get one feels good in most way. try a fully mods Max SE to race a stock M3 (E46),, almost same $,, just different driving experience..Don't get my saying wrong, I'm a crazy Nissan fan!

[MinisterofDOOM]

also my personal thought is, if it needs to do a lot mods to cars means I am not satisfied with the vehicle,, then ,, why not just put all the money together to get one feels good in most way.

I see. I just figure most people bought a Maxima for its size, in which case the G probably isn't an option for them. But I don't disagree that the G is better performance for the money.

[NewDad=4drs]

Anyone driven an '05+ M35 or M45 Sport? Wouldn't this fill the bill if you were looking for a used full size and wanted a better handling package? Not trying to be smart, just an honest question.

[NewDad=4drs]

http://www.racetechperformance.com/ has a package of Tokico Illuminas with lowering springs or HP's with lowering springs. Seems like a good price but not sure the brand of spring included. Any ideas?

[DblOsmith]

You can get the RSB from cattman.com, you can get tokico Illuminas anywhere, and just google otto racing. IT's a canadian company. YOu'll find them. Good luck! It really helped my ride!

[Eikon]

http://www.racetechperformance.com/ has a package of Tokico Illuminas with lowering springs or HP's with lowering springs. Seems like a good price but not sure the brand of spring included. Any ideas?

I would advise against purchasing anything from racetechperformance. I had a very bad experience with them... very slow turn around and poor communication. Then my brakes rotors warped in less then 5000 miles. I emailed to ask if they would do anything for me to make up for the terrible quality and got the run around.. waiting weeks for any response.. They never did do anything for me, but ignore me.

Buyer beware..

[sloanie]

Anyone driven an '05+ M35 or M45 Sport? Wouldn't this fill the bill if you were looking for a used full size and wanted a better handling package? Not trying to be smart, just an honest question.

Indeed. Of course the G series handles better. I did own an 02 Max SE which handled better than the i35. If I like everything about the i35 but the handling, why not upgrade the suspension? I'd bet money I'll still come out cheaper than finding a G35 in as good of shape that actually appeals to me.

My dad has a black 08 G35-- gorgeous. But it's definitely cramped compared to my i35. Thanks for the input everyone on where to get what. A friend of mine said he was looking at an Eiback Pro-kit (lowering kit springs) from Stillen-- I may consider that along with the RSB, struts and STB.

[sloanie]

Anyone driven an '05+ M35 or M45 Sport? Wouldn't this fill the bill if you were looking for a used full size and wanted a better handling package? Not trying to be smart, just an honest question.

Only thing in my neighborhood like that is a 2006 M35, and it costs more than twice what I paid for the i35 I just got (though it has comparable mileage). Would be a sweet ride, but yeah. A bit more than I wanted to spend. Upgrading the handling on the i35 would be a pittance compared to the going price of that M35 (about $21k).

[BillN_NJ]

I have the same problems as Markc - just purchased 03 I-35 with only 47K miles on it, passenger side front rattles on bumps, overally ride is uncomfortably bumpy and pulls to the left, especially at highway speeds. Also noticed that steering wheel pulls rhythmically to the left when going around right-direction curves. Should I try to solve the front rattling first, then eventually upgrade the struts? My mechanic has replaced both front stabilizer links, to no avail. - what might be the next steps?
Thanks,
Bill

[Malibu Jim]

Just put Tociko Blues all around on my 2002 I35, w/ 60K on it. A little disappointed as they ride a little stiffer than OEMs. I'm 66, and prefer the softer ride.

[Zerion00]

Best I35 Struts? After a lot of research, I purchased Tokico illumina's 5mo. ago. Finally I got the chance to drop off my 2004 I35 @ Goodyear 08/15 for install & alignment,($300.00) already had the front links replaced by Infiniti. GY called after a few hours & said I was sent 2 frt. left struts. Well, not to cause any delay longer than necessary , I thought I would just call in for a replacement. RIGHT! Everything went South from there! Called about every Auto store in the nation looking for a right front strut, ended up speaking to a Hitachi Rep(Automotive Div.) in Cal. who told me 3 weeks, 4 weeks, if you want them any sooner buy another set, maybe even a different brand. That didn't set right with me at!
I started emailing every Hitachi Auto Division web site I could find(including Japan Main Office)(yes I was POed) I let them know just how pleased I was with Customer Service & Relations. Finally, today August 16th a phone call from a gal in Mi. She explained that the warehouse was being moved from Kentucky to Ca. & parts were in a disarray, but would help me out. Well, this is yet to be seen & if it does happen, I will add to this note.

[tredondo]

KONI Sport adjustible inserts for the front and struts for the rear!!! Act in compression and rebound to tranform the ride and handling exactly as you need.
The best.