I have a 1992 Nissan Axxess AWD. I have been having difficulties finding rear Struts. I have been looking all over the internet with not much success. I did however find that the rear struts on a 1998-1999 Altima (L30) carry the exact Axxess PN for there struts (Part Numbers 55302K RH and 55303K LH). From the drawings of both part seem to be exact except for the top end mounting hardware which you can find for the Axxess.My question is there a drawing that gives physical dimensions of these struts? Do you know of the top of your head if they would fit.Thankssmokeless1 I have done some research at the local Auto wreckers. Armed with a dead RH Rear Axxess strut I physically checked it with the Altima strut and the spring flange on the Altima strut up about 2 inches higher than the axxess strut although the stab bar mounts are correct and the piston rod end is the same but the spring flange makes it unusable.So even though the PN is the same It wont fit.The only place I can find who has the correct parts is Nissan and they want close to $200.00 each!!! to much for an old guy like me. Thanks all for your help.smokeless1
Modified by smokeless1 at 9:03 PM 2/22/2008
Interchangeability of Rear Struts
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smokeless1
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:24 pm
- Car: 1992 Axxess SE AWD
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MaximA32
Re: Interchangeability of Rear Nissan Axxess AWD Struts
So, Nissan Axxess lovers (especially of the AWD) -- I have some really pretty awesome news. And all because of this forum.
Thanks to the post from a few years ago (just over 4 years ago, talk about news in a bottle), today I had my struts changed on my 1990 AWD Axxess! (March of 2012). And, man were they dead. You're going to laugh, but I threw some cement bags in the back just to keep it from jumping up and down.
Here's the deal. The part #s: 55302K RH & 55303K LH got me struts that were close to being, well, close (but just a little bit small on part of it). Now maybe it was that particular manufacturer (no name, made in Mexico, sold at O'Reilly Auto Parts). And then again, maybe not.
The bottom seat of the new strut (is that a good word btw?) that holds the bottom part of the Spring is a smidgen smaller than the original -- the consequence, the original spring is then a little oversized and would otherwise hang over on one area.
The fix:
1) Just get slightly lower circumference springs and you'll be stoked. Or....
2) Do what I did. Have your mechanic bend a little the smaller seat area outwards so that it's wider in several places. 3 of the 4 areas of the Spring bottom will rest really well, and one, not so great. But, it's rock solid after the re-compression (and within my budget). He used a hammer and really large vise by the way.
My cost: $60 per Altima Strut, $65 labour (I helped my mechanic and he's a great guy!) (Out the door for under $200; parts, labour and imagination).
Other notes.
1) The old strut mounts worked perfect! And the new struts were an exact bolt fit (minus the undersized bottom spring seat).
2) In contrast to the OEM Axxess AWD struts, there's a small bolt coming coming out of the Altima struts that can be ignored -- it was for an extra fastening in that chassis configuration. As well, we moved the brake line a little bit, and so to make sure it wasn't hanging, we used zip ties to each strut.
3) It drives so well, I almost feel obligated to change the front struts, but there is no noise from them; they are just a wee bit softer than the back ones.
Thanks to the post from a few years ago (just over 4 years ago, talk about news in a bottle), today I had my struts changed on my 1990 AWD Axxess! (March of 2012). And, man were they dead. You're going to laugh, but I threw some cement bags in the back just to keep it from jumping up and down.
Here's the deal. The part #s: 55302K RH & 55303K LH got me struts that were close to being, well, close (but just a little bit small on part of it). Now maybe it was that particular manufacturer (no name, made in Mexico, sold at O'Reilly Auto Parts). And then again, maybe not.
The bottom seat of the new strut (is that a good word btw?) that holds the bottom part of the Spring is a smidgen smaller than the original -- the consequence, the original spring is then a little oversized and would otherwise hang over on one area.
The fix:
1) Just get slightly lower circumference springs and you'll be stoked. Or....
2) Do what I did. Have your mechanic bend a little the smaller seat area outwards so that it's wider in several places. 3 of the 4 areas of the Spring bottom will rest really well, and one, not so great. But, it's rock solid after the re-compression (and within my budget). He used a hammer and really large vise by the way.
My cost: $60 per Altima Strut, $65 labour (I helped my mechanic and he's a great guy!) (Out the door for under $200; parts, labour and imagination).
Other notes.
1) The old strut mounts worked perfect! And the new struts were an exact bolt fit (minus the undersized bottom spring seat).
2) In contrast to the OEM Axxess AWD struts, there's a small bolt coming coming out of the Altima struts that can be ignored -- it was for an extra fastening in that chassis configuration. As well, we moved the brake line a little bit, and so to make sure it wasn't hanging, we used zip ties to each strut.
3) It drives so well, I almost feel obligated to change the front struts, but there is no noise from them; they are just a wee bit softer than the back ones.