(fg) Y33 suspension question - touring/non-touring

[NY94J30]

I replaced the struts and all rubber on the front of my 2000 AE a couple months ago, and now I'm taking a go at the rear struts and rubber.

In doing the front, I went with the inserts and lost the adjustability - I didn't feel like paying the extra $300+ for the ABS sensors, in addition to the extra cost of the whole strut assembly.

So, my question is, at this point, does it matter what I do in the rear as far as the touring or non-touring struts? Touring are actually cheaper.

Thanks

[paranoidjack]

The fronts are adjustable only. The rears are virtually the same as a non-touring car. Feels good huh? I did my whole car at 72k, and now at 215k she needs it again but I don't have the 3k.

[NY94J30]

Thanks Jack.

I assume then to just go with the touring struts - maybe some mounting differences? Any idea then the difference in the assemblies? They have different part numbers.

[paranoidjack]

Get the ones for your car. Perhaps there is a difference in the wheel speed sensors.

[maxnix]

I thought the ae/t rear shocks were also switched? I swear Joe quoted me a different price vs. the base that I have.

[paranoidjack]

He did max - there are different part #'s, as the OP posted above, but if you look at the shock itself, there is no electrical communication to or from it. It is a fixed shock - the front ones have the "bonnet" that fastens on under the hood and communicates with the ECM - the rears do not switch.

[maxnix]

Huh? I thought on the diagram the harness went back to the shocks? Oh well, in that case I am doubly glad we got the base model. Never could understand what the different setting did as it seemed plenty stiff stock.

Wonder why the rears are different if not switched?

[JOHNQ]

no offense guys but there is a difference, try pressing down on the rear quarter panel to make it bounce and have somebody press the switch from sport to auto and vice versa and youll see what im talking about. so to the op its a no brainer if the ones for your car are actually cheaper which i dont understand why they are

[paranoidjack]

I stand corrected! I just went and checked, and I guess my memory is failing me. In my defense it's been 4 years and 125k since I did the rear shocks

They are indeed active. Sorry for the confusion, thanks for correcting me Max and JohnQ.

[highlo630]

Hi everyone! I just bought a 97 base model and I need struts, are there any aftermarket brands cheaper than the dealer?, am I better of buying coilovers im kinda lost on thisone need some help anything will be hwlpful thx

[paranoidjack]

You'll want the OEM ones from Infiniti. One of our sponsors is Infiniti of Scottsdale, AZ, and many of us buy all of our parts from there. I do.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/

[BadQ45t]

Do a search on this subject and you could find more answers...but in the meantime you can source the OEM ones from Scotsdale of Infiniti for the best price you're going to get. There are ZERO other choices for you to find through normal avenues in the USA. However, there is one additional choice to get them from a place called MemoryFab that imports the KYB SR Specials, which are the same manu as OEM but a higher performance (and higher quality) model. These are stiffer and dramatically improve the handling characteristics of the car.

If you don't mind the softer ride go OEM. If you like a more spirited drive call up memoryfab (www.memoryfab.com) don't use their website as it is useless, but call them and they do take a few weeks to get, but the last person I sent that way got them cheaper than OEM and worked out great. I spent over $700 on mine as MemoryFab wasn't in the picture, that as 5 years ago and they are as good as new today. The OEM ones are not high quality ones, the SR Specials are much better.

The other things to look for are the torsion bar ends links, if those were not done you need them as well. You should also order strut mounts as you will probably need those as well. Lastly, springs do last a long time, but if you plan to keep the car I would serioulsly consider re-doing those as well. You can either look around for in lowering springs from Tein, Espelir and a few others (they lower you by 1 1/2 to 2") or you can get the touring springs from Infinti of Scotsdale. The springs are not expensive and the labor is nominal to the job when you install the struts/shocks. Here is a pic of my 97' I also have M45 Sport RIMS with bigger tires and spacers to make those big rims fit. My car handles NIGHT & DAY differently then stock and I much prefer the way it handles and also drives.



Nobody even knows what this car is anymore and it handles

[highlo630]

thx for all the info, thats a sweet ride Bad45t is that lowered? are the touring springs goo for lowering too? I'm defenetly looking intoo it this was really helpfu information thx again.

[BadQ45t]

Noooo, those are the Tein lowering springs with the KYR SR Specials. Drops the ride by 2" and makes it really low. The only way to properly lower a car like this is with new springs, please don't cut the stock ones. Their are Espelir springs around that have been said to be better as they are made for the V8 Q45 versus mine that were suppose to only support the V6 Cima. But I have had them on for 5 years and it never bottoms, rides like a dream, and they fit 100% perfectly, so for me that worked great.

The car looks so much better with this stance I have to say versus stock. You can hunt around for some of either of these springs but just know that if you live with really horrible roads or you need to use this as your only car you might stick with the stock height. But for me I have an XTerra so I take that when I know the road is rough.

[lamsv]

On subject, off subject... do the KYB SR's have spindles already mounted to the front strut bodies? Or, do you have to weld on your OEMs spindles?

[maxnix]

No spindles but neither is welding required.

[paranoidjack]

So you guys are all telling me that the struts unscrew from the spindles in this photo of my 2000 AE replacements? If that's the case, I'll definitely go KYB for my next set.

[BadQ45t]

I cannot tell you that much as I just paid my mechanic to do it. I bought a new set of strut mounts from IOS and the KYB's just popped directly in. He did no welding and they fit perfectly as if stock.

[paranoidjack]

Max, input? Anyone else with a '00 AE been able to unscrew the strut from the spindle to change it? As you can see in my pix above, at 72K I did the whole assembly. I'd rather not do it again.

[BadQ45t]

Sorry nobody has responded to this...I am not sure about the 2000 but I do know a few people dumped the stock "electric" and did the KYB swap. How long does that setup last? You must put alot of miles on the Q...I think i will get to the last day I drive the car with the KYB's in place, I have only put 18k on since I replaced them.