How to Install MaxSpeed Lowering Springs on 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima

This document describes how to install MaxSpeed brand high-performance progressive-rate lowering springs on a 2000-2003 model year Nissan Maxima (mine is a 2000 GXE, but installation should be the same for all 2001-2003 models as well).

The tools needed, pics and compete how-to directions are below. From start to finish this took about 3.5 hours with me and 2 friends working on it. This would of cost me $200-$300 to have them professionally installed. The directions look long and complicated..but it was really not very difficult at all - just required being careful, taking your time, and a little muscle!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at kevinfisher@kevinfisher.net. Enjoy!



TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:

- Full metric ratchet and socket set (large sizes)
- Breaker bar or equivalent
- Spring compressors
- Screwdrivers
- Rubber mallet or equivalent





FRONT SPRINGS:

Step 1: Jack up front end of car and put it on jackstands (or use a lift).
Note: Don't jack it up by the axle or you'll have "fun" getting it back together.







Step 2: Remove the front wheel center caps with a flat head screwdriver
(IF your Maxima has wheels with center caps). Remove the lug nuts.
Remove the wheel. Repeat for the other side.



Step 3: In the engine bay, slightly loosen the center bolt on top of each strut (DO NOT REMOVE).
Then, undo and remove the 3 nuts around top of each strut. They are 14mm.



Step 4: Undo the two big bolts and nuts at the bottom of the strut (will need a breaker bar or equivalent).
The bolts are 19mm and the nuts are 17mm. It will be easier to do this with a break bar
and ratchet combination.





Step 5: Remove all the brake line clips from the bottom of the strut (there is a total of 3).
and remove the strut assembly from the car.



Step 6: Compress the spring. Make sure your spring compressor is on tight and will not slip.
Remove the top hat (that's the middle bolt). Watch yourself as you remove the center bolt as the top coil
on the spring will likely "pop" up as soon as the bolt comes off...it can catch you off guard and be
dangerous if you're not ready for it. Point the top of the strut away from you while doing this just in case.



Step 7: Remove spring from shock. Remove the spring compressor.
Place new spring on shock and compress. Replace top hat.







Step 8: Replace strut on car. Replace 3 nuts at top of strut tower (inside engine bay).
Replace 2 bolts and nuts at bottom of strut assembly.





Step 9: Replace brake clips. Mount wheels. Tighten lug nuts and replace center caps (if equipped).
Lower car off jacks. Spring may take a few weeks to completely settle.
Take a break and prepare for rear spring installation.

 



REAR SPRINGS:

Step 1: Remove all trim and carpet from the trunk. First, remove this plastic cap/cover
at the entrance to the trunk. Remove by simply prying up the left and right edges -
it will pop off with a little gentle force.







Step 2: On the right inside of the trunk, remove the door that leads to the jack.
Remove by turning the knob at the top and pulling down and towards you.





Step 3: Peel back or completely remove the carpet in the trunk floor.





Step 4: On the right and left inside of the trunk (left side pictured below),
remove all the little clips holding the carpet in place.
I'm not sure if there is a correct way to remove these or not -
I just used a phillips-head screwdriver and turned them a bit counter clockwise and then
carefully pried them up and they finally popped out. Repeat for the other side.





Step 5: Now you can easy pull out the carpet lining. Repeat on the other side.









Step 6: Jack up rear end of car and put it on jackstands (or use a lift).
Note: Don't jack it up by the axle or you'll have "fun" getting it back together.


Step 7: Remove the rear wheel center caps with a flat head screwdriver (if equipped).
Remove the lug nuts. Remove the wheel. Repeat for other side.





Step 8: There are 3 nuts on top of each strut. They can be found where the trunk meets the back seat.
No need to remove the back seats. There is a metal guard over the bolts ...don't bother trying
to remove the guard...it will require removing a lot of crap you don't want to remove.

You can access the bolts from the small hole or the even smaller lip above it.
Figure out some way to remove them (I used a 6" socket extension and inserted it down though
the small lip above the circular hole). They are 14mm. Remove the outer 2 bolts, leaving the one in the center.
This process is a challenging, but CAN be done. Crawl in the trunk or reach through the back seat to access them.







Step 9: Now, back down at the wheel area, remove the large bolt and nut connecting the strut to the axle
(will need a breaker bar or equivalent). At this point, the strut will fall, so hold on to it.







Step 10: Now, you should loosen the top hat bolt a little (DO NOT REMOVE).
Once the spring has been compressed, the top hat will rotate the entire strut rod, and if you haven't
loosened the bolt it will be a pain to get off later. Compress the old spring with your spring compressors
and remove the top hat by loosing the center bolt. Be extra careful using your spring compressors
and loosing that last center bolt.Make sure you have that spring compressed securely.
It will shoot off that bolt if you don't have the spring compressed enough.

Remove the old spring from the shock. Remove the spring compressors from it. Place your new
Maxspeed on the shock and compress. Place top hat on and tighten the bolt. Note how the top hat has to
mount on the shock so that it fits back up into the car correctly.







Step 11: Place strut with new spring installed back on car and replace 2 nuts at top of strut (inside trunk)





Step 12: Repeat all steps in reverse - mount wheels. Tighten lug nuts and replace center caps (if equipped).
Lower car off jacks. Spring may take a few weeks to completely settle. Finally, go get an alignment!

ENJOY YOUR NEW LOWERED RIDE!









THE USUAL LEGAL STUFF:
If you break it...it's your problem, not mine! This how-to is for reference only -
I am NOT responsible for any of your mistakes due to following this how-to.
You MAY NOT copy or duplicate any content from this page. All information is copyright of me!



© 2006, Kevin Fisher and Slinshot Creative