Help - Rplg Fr Struts

[Malibu Jim]

I bought some Tokico Blue front struts & KYB boots, as I could see one boot already torn, for my 2002 I35. Started this morning, and had no problems untill I went to reassemble them. I found the original dust boots are different than the new KYB. The KYB seem a little shorter and the bumper stop won't fit into the recess of the upper spring mount. The original bumper on the dust cover, fits into that recess real nice, and seems to have a bump stop molded into the upper end of the boot. The instructions that came with the dust covers say to push & twist the new bumper into the new dust boot. I am guessing that I need to buy new bump stops. The original boots had them integrated into the boot, so they can't be removed. Also, the old bump stop in the boot slid over the strut piston, whereas the bump stop in the upper end of the new KYB won't

[Malibu Jim]

After searching around the internet for some help on this, I found 2 reviews on KYB strut boots, P/N SB104 by users of a 96 & a 97 I30. Although a different year Infiniti, they both have the same problem. This bumper stop is too large a diameter to fit into the upper spring mount and the hole thru the bumper stop is too small to allow the piston to pass thru. I guess I'll have to try the Infiniti dealership Mon and see if they have boots. What a disaster this turned into !

[Markc]

I replaced the struts on my '02 this past spring & used Moog bellows & bump stops on KYB struts. No problems with the Moogs, although I did replace the mounts with Moog as well.

[Malibu Jim]

After putzing with this the next day, I found I could finally force the bump stop onto the piston and I trimmed the bump stop OD until I could force it into the recess of the upper spring mount. The OEM dust boots had the bump stops built into them, which seems like a better setup now.

[OwnerCS]

Today I had a bad experience with some strut boots named Strut Mates. The bellow and upper bump stop is a two piece unit. The OD on the bump stop is too small to fit into the recess of the upper spring mount. I'm going to try KYB tomorrow. If I experience the same problem with KYB, I may need to try MOOG.

[OwnerCS]

After putzing with this the next day, I found I could finally force the bump stop onto the piston and I trimmed the bump stop OD until I could force it into the recess of the upper spring mount. The OEM dust boots had the bump stops built into them, which seems like a better setup now.

Unsuccessfully tried the following brands:

Monroe Strut Mate - Too small
KYB - Too large
MOOG - Too large

What a FIASCO!

I'll be taking upper spring mount and the remains of the OEM boot to the dealer tomorrow to try to find a replacement..

The KYB, MOOG, and Strut Mate boots look like they are made for a Toyota, Ford, Buick, or something far different than a 4th gen Maxima..

[parksmopar]

i replaced all my suspension.. I just called Brian Catts.. at Cattman Performance. He sent me everything I needed. Worked out great! I did that about 2 years ago. I am running KYB's also.

[Malibu Jim]

You replaced ALL your suspension ! Springs too ?

[OwnerCS]

Just to follow up on this -- the OEM boots worked fine. Job completed..

I'm getting ready to start a full strut job on the Q45 with Tokico Blues..

[Malibu Jim]

I should be revisiting this experience later this summer. My 02 I35 got totaled in late Feb, when a girl rear-ended me on the freeway. No injuries involved, but the Infiniti crumpled ! Bought an 04 I35 in excellant condition, but w/ 75K on it, it will need new struts. The 02 was a "beautiful Royal Ruby Red;" this one's silver, like 10 billion others.....rats !

[Markc]

As a follow up, I should add that the Moog rear boots should be avoided. No problem with the fronts, but once the cold weather hit the rears started making noise. I found that they got hard and were banging on the shock body. I also found a good size tear in one of the rears. I ordered OEM and will be putting them on soon, if we ever get some warm weather.