Koni Suspension for the 02-06 Altima

[Pimped-up]

Hey,

Long time no post!!! I have a feeling like nobody cares about their altimas suspension and handling anymore... if you ever did... For those who doesn't know me, here is the list of suspensions that i have tried for the last 2 years:

(I have: Nismo Stabilizers F/R, Strut Tower Brace, Taz Bushings etc...)

1) KSport Coil overs - Problematic Suspension The handling was very good, and i mean even thought i hated all the aggression and discomfort that i have experienced while on it, the performance was unforgettable! My friend at work who owned his 911 Turbo back at that time once he commented: "after driving your altima, my respect to your family sedan had increased up to 100%" and "Your wip handles better than my 911" - yes! its his original phrases!!! ... it might sound weird, but it did handle a bit better than his carrera, but if to compare the comfort? Altima should be burned in HELL!!! So for those who thinks on getting Coilovers - thats what it is!

2) KYB AGX Shocks and Struts with Tein S Tech Springs - the main problem for me was bottoming out once in the while, but not to bad! The handling was alright a bit tighter than stock and if coming back from coilovers - handling was very bad, but definitely good for the price... It was fine getting in the corners but in fast traffic switching between lanes like a nut - it had way to much body roll...

3) Than! I came across Active Tunning... well not much to say, its been almost a year and i do not complain! Adjustable handling is very effective and comes in handy from time to time, especially when the girls sit down in your car and for the seasonal change... overall not as firm as coilovers but still very impressive! so for those who are thinking of getting Active Tuning stuff!!!??? Sux for you! They don't make them anymore ............

Well the reason i am writing all that stuff is because my old man is getting his 05 Alty tricked out with KONI's and KYB's... and the way he does it!!?? Is 96 300ZX KYB AGX Adjustable and 96 Maxima Suspension from KONI (Konis usa web site)

QUESTION: So, i was wondering if anyone knows? is that is the same exact element that ACTunning were using for their strut element? Cause David guy is not sure i would supose from his last e-mail...

Thanks in advance,

Here is some pics of my wip for ya...

-Serge

[Napalm]

Pimped-UP,

I feel you on the suspension. I to have the Ksport coilovers, and they are definitely coming off. I recently purchased some KYB struts and a Eibach pro-kit for my SE-R. I haven't installed them, but they are sitting in my garage. By the way, Tokico is in the development stages of making struts for our car. When I spoke with they said that our car wasn't a priority. Maybe we need to get all the Alti owner together, and increase demand.

[MauiAltima2.5S]

nice pics!!!

[jimnolimit]

pimped up you said your coil-overs gave you a harsh ride , was the dampening adjustable ?

[saywat?]

Originally Posted by Napalm

Pimped-UP,

I feel you on the suspension. I to have the Ksport coilovers, and they are definitely coming off. I recently purchased some KYB struts and a Eibach pro-kit for my SE-R. I haven't installed them, but they are sitting in my garage. By the way, Tokico is in the development stages of making struts for our car. When I spoke with they said that our car wasn't a priority. Maybe we need to get all the Alti owner together, and increase demand.

tokico has been saying that since 02..i doubt it will ever happen..but yes if they allow some kind of preorder to get the ball rolling u can add me to that list..

[Pimped-up]

Originally Posted by Napalm

Pimped-UP,

I feel you on the suspension. I to have the Ksport coilovers, and they are definitely coming off. I recently purchased some KYB struts and a Eibach pro-kit for my SE-R. I haven't installed them, but they are sitting in my garage. By the way, Tokico is in the development stages of making struts for our car. When I spoke with they said that our car wasn't a priority. Maybe we need to get all the Alti owner together, and increase demand.

I doubt that Tokico will be doing anything for our cars, like activetuning did. But if they do? It should be a decent a product than...

Originally Posted by jimnolimit

pimped up you said your coil-overs gave you a harsh ride , was the dampening adjustable ?

Yes, they were adjustable. And the problem that there was with the adjustable dumpering is that when you firm the dumper, it is very agressive but handles like a dream (well ... a dream only if you live in Cali, here in SJersey roads are pice of crap), but if you would lossen up the dumpering for comfort it would handle like a stock and the ride would be still uncomfortable. If you do it in the middle, you would be better of with Active Tunning Suspension. 1) Handles better; 2) Way more comfort and smooth ride! You can throw in some Tein S tech springs for a better performance and lowered look (I prefer) or you can use some other softer springs... well its pretty much it.

UPDATE: currently i am awaiting the response from David of Active tuning just to confirm the strut specs. This Saturday i am going to install KYB AGX for the rear only and see how it will perform with my front Adjustable Konis. Plus i will also need wheel balancing and new alignment

[NYC03Alti]

Actually, yes. The rear AT shocks are 300ZX KYBs with the spring perch hacked off. The fronts were stock struts that were cut open and have Maxima inserts in them. There's a thread about this from wayyyyyy back when.

[Pimped-up]

Originally Posted by NYC03Alti

Actually, yes. The rear AT shocks are 300ZX KYBs with the spring perch hacked off. The fronts were stock struts that were cut open and have Maxima inserts in them. There's a thread about this from wayyyyyy back when.

Yeah i got that info, Dave he got back to me and sent me the link : Link

Its actually Maxima "Koni Sport Yellow" Inserts that you get from Koni web site, stock maixma shock is not the one you would want...

So, NYC03Altima will the rear KYB's from 300ZX fit perfectly? Cause you said something about spring perch hacked off? I dont know what that means exactly... well anyway i will find out on Saturday when i get installed.

By the way, my rear suspension is died after 10-15 K miles, the stock double shock could not handle the preasure being low with Teins stiff springs...

This is the photo taken a year ago, i had no upgrades to the rear for few months, now there are nismo stabilizers, bushings, sport springs etc... but anyway, this is the concept suspension that i had:

[phreekee25]

I also talked to activetuning about this a while back. (years ago, but haven't actually done it..)

for the rears, yes, you need to remove the spring perch. the 300zx rears are similar to our fronts, meaning spring & shock together. our rears have the spring and shock separately. i think they were able to get the spring perch to come off by holding it upside down and smacking the perch with a hammer. (the active tuning guys can confirm any of this info) you will also need to spread out the bottom U-shaped bracket, since ours is a little wider than the 300zx, and you'll need 12 x 1.25mm locknuts for the lower bolts. The AGXs don’t have captive nuts on the one side of the lower mount like the OEM shocks do.

for the fronts, you'll need to drill out the center of the top plate. ours has a notched shaft, but the koni shaft is round. also need to cut a little off of the ummm... nipple?.. of that top plate, since the threaded part on the koni shaft is shorter than ours. they said to be very sure to cut that part straight/flat.

the activetuning folks are very open about this information and will answer any questions you have.

[phreekee25]

found an old email. pretty much what i said ^ but worded much better.

The shocks include the new upper nut but you will need to provide the 12 x 1.25mm locknuts for the lower bolts. The AGXs don’t have captive nuts on the one side of the lower clevis mount like the OEM shocks do. Any good hardware store should have these.

The struts require your OEM upper insulator (mount) to be modified. The Koni shaft does not have a flat on the side so the portion of the insulator bore that engages the flat needs to be ground out with a die grinder or drilled out so it is a constant diameter hole all the way through. Then the height of this portion of the insulator also has to be reduced by about 8mm by cutting that amount off from the bottom. Take care that it remains square and fits the top of the Koni shaft properly. This is because the Koni shaft threads are not as long, and therefore need to protrude farther from the top to allow full thread engagement of the nut.

Hope this helps!

Michael Wettengal | Director of Product Development

[NYC03Alti]

Originally Posted by Pimped-up

So, NYC03Altima will the rear KYB's from 300ZX fit perfectly? Cause you said something about spring perch hacked off? I dont know what that means exactly... well anyway i will find out on Saturday when i get installed.

Yes and no. 300ZX shocks look like this:



That donut looking thing around the middle of the strut is the spring perch. But because Altimas have the spring mounted to the lower control arm, the perch on the 300ZX shock must be removed.

Hope this helps...

[polishpunk68]

Did anyone ever try putting the KONI adjustable rear shocks made for 96 300zx rear on our altimas? I know AT did the spring perch removal for the KYB adjustable shocks, also 96 300zx, and I'm using them now, but I think KONI shocks would be much more comfortable to ride on, just like the koni fronts I'm using...

[Pimped-up]

Originally Posted by polishpunk68

Did anyone ever try putting the KONI adjustable rear shocks made for 96 300zx rear on our altimas? I know AT did the spring perch removal for the KYB adjustable shocks, also 96 300zx, and I'm using them now, but I think KONI shocks would be much more comfortable to ride on, just like the koni fronts I'm using...

Installed Kyb's AGX Adjustables yesterday. The Spring perch comes easily, i had to spread out the bottom U-shaped bracketbut and the golden looking thing would not fit, so i had to use sand paper to make the metal thinner...
The ride feels pretty much the same as it was before with my old suspension set up. I have to change the tires than i will definetely feel the difference!

[pipeline]

in for information

[5SpeedL31]

I bet you don't miss the KSports do ya'?