AGX Struts: "Baby needs new boots!"

[PhatBastard]

Just got off the phone with KYB technical. They will not have boots available for their AGX adjustable struts for the 95-99 Max until 2003.

What's up with that shit?

They suggest I get new boots from the dealer.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

[funnylittlman]

Hey do you like your AGX Struts? I was thinking about getting some and some sports springs, but I wanted to know if you liked them?? Also how was the ride, Those struts are suppose to be awesome, near ride quality, but when you start getting agressive in the steering the car responds.... let me know man! What do you think? Also, how old are your boots? OE?

[PhatBastard]

and I can't sleep at night with anticipation of putting them on....

I'm waiting on the boots. I just ordered oem replacements from Courtesy this morning, so hopefully Tuesday I can slap those babys on.

I'm keeping the oem springs because I'm an old fart and don't want to get beat to death since the majority of my driving is back and forth to work - if you know what I mean.

I'll let you know how they perform when I get them on next week....

[PhatBastard]

My Max still has the original boots from May of '94. Or what's left of them. With 101,000 miles, the only thing left on the fronts is the metal re-enforcement rings that were embedded in the rubber.

I haven't looked at the rear, but assume they are in just as bad of shape......

[funnylittlman]

Hey,

Good luck, and let me know if it makes much of a difference!

[mtrai760]

The stock boots work just fine. I ordered mine from courtesy and have been using them with no problems with my AGX.

[PhatBastard]

Excellent news! I just wish I had thought of this when I ordered the struts.

[NJMAXSELTD]

PhatBastard, your going to love the AGX's in your Max. I have them in mine, with the OEM springs. Awsome ride!! Leave them on 1/1 front and rear for a bit to sort of break them in. Then play with the adjustments. I like to keep both front and rear on the same settings, some guys like the rear a bit harder, I think it only effects ride that way not so much handling. When I have 3 or 4 poeple with me, I turn up the rear more then the front. That works perfect when you have a load. They really stabalize the car.

1/1 = nice smooth ride firmer then stock SE setup
2/2 = nice and firm, handling is awsome
3/3 = tight like a german girl
4/4 = wow this thing is like a rock

Post again here and tell us your impressions.

ENJOY THE RIDE!

[funnylittlman]

Hey NJMAX,

What if you were to get, say some progressive springs, do you think it would ride even harder?

[PhatBastard]

Originally posted by NJMAXSELTD
PhatBastard, your going to love the AGX's in your Max. I have them in mine, with the OEM springs. Awsome ride!! Leave them on...

I managed to get the AGX's installed last week. I took 3 or 4 days to do it only because I had to squeeze it in after work and other responsibilities. I also installed Goodridge brake lines and flushed the brake system while I was at it.

I ran into 3 problems during the install:

1 - One of the front strut top mounts had a broken stud. Not sure why. Luckily, one of my local Nissan dealers just happened to have one in stock.

2 - After almost breaking a blood vessel in my head from trying to remove the front strut steering knuckle bolts, I had to make another run to Sears and pick up a air wrench. The bolts came off in no time.

3 - My right CV boot was about half gone and I toyed with the idea of replacing the boot myself. A phone call to a mechanic friend of mine nixed that idea. After installing the struts, I took it to him and he installed a rebuilt CV axle in about 45 minutes. He also checked and adjusted the front end alignment for me while he had it on the rack. All for about $120 (it pays to have a mechanic for a freiend).

So now I've been running the AGX's for about a week on 1/1. Kind of a break in period as you suggested.

I would describe 1/1 as, oh I don't know, ho hum.

Today I switched to 2/2. All I can say at this point is - OH MY GOD! It's not better than sex just yet, but I can't imagine what 3/3 will be like!

I'm very impressed, very satisfied and VERY HAPPY about doing this upgrade. Thanks for your tips and comments.

I do have 1 question, why do the fronts have 4 settings while the rears have 8?

I noticed the drawings that came with the shocks show the dial only having 4 settings. But I just checked again to make sure, and the rears have 8. Makes me wonder if anything above 4 actually has an affect.

Thanks again!!

[NJMAXSELTD]

Glad you got everything ironed out PhatBastard. Yea the rears have 8 way adjustability. It's just finer incriments I think. I've only gone up over 4 in the rear once. Had them on 6 with 4 big guys in the car. The control is amazing, aside from the sag, the ride is completely firm. My buddies are amazed at how well my car rides in NYC with 4 guys in it. Just soakes up everything.

I'm looking for another set of H&R springs now, I want the car back down as in my sig pic. The ride should stay about the same with the H&R/AGX combo. I'll keep you posted on that one.