How to Replace the Struts on a 1995 Nissan Maxima

Although Nissan Maxima's are known for their reliability, even the best designed vehicles will break down. The struts on a Maxima connect the vehicle body with the axle via the steering knuckle, providing support and cushioning while driving. The 1995 Maxima uses a strut-coil design for the front suspension, which is a difficult job to replace on your own; however, it is simpler than some of the more recent Maxima models. If you feel the technical requirements for doing the job yourself are exceeding your mechanical ability, you should hire a licensed mechanic to finish the job.

• 1

  Loosen the lug nuts on the front tires of your 1995 Nissan Maxima, using a tire iron. Do not completely remove the lug nuts, until the vehicle is supported by jack stands.

• 2

  Insert the 1.5-ton floor jack underneath the middle of the Maxima engine,, and raise the vehicle, slowly pumping the handle. Place jack stands underneath the reinforced frame sections, below the front doors. Remove the two front wheels, by removing the lug nuts.

• 3

  Use a pair of pliers to detach the brake hose from the strut bracket.

• 4

  Unscrew the two strut-to-knuckle nuts on your Maxima, using a torque wrench. Soaking the nuts in penetrating oil will allow for an easier removal of the bolts, which are often stuck in their thread holes due being exposed to dirt and grime. Remove the bolts from the thread holes, using a hammer and punch to drive.

• 5

  Use a socket wrench to unscrew the three upper mounting nuts from the strut assembly. Before removing the final bolt, provide support to the strut, before removing the final bolt. Remove the strut assembly from the wheel hub. Unscrew the three bolts surrounding the center nut from the lower end of the strut assembly. The center nut should not be unscrewed until later in the replacement process.

• 6

  Use a vise to mount the strut assembly. The vise jaws should be lined with wood or rags, to prevent damage to the strut and coil assembly. Install the spring compressor onto the coil, until the upper spring seat does not have any pressure from the coil acting on it. When installing the spring compressor, it is crucial to follow all the manufacturer's instructions, due to the hazardous nature of compressing a spring of this caliber.

• 7

  Use a socket wrench to unscrew the upper mount piston rod nut. Pull the upper mount off from the piston rod. If the bearing inside the upper mount is not turning smoothly, it should be replaced. Other rubber parts on the mount should be replaced, if they are showing signs of wearing or cracking. Use your hands to remove the spring seat and upper insulator from the piston rod of your 1995 Nissan Maxima.

• 8

  Pull the compressed spring off the strut assembly. Never allow the spring to point toward you or another person. If the spring compressors were to slip or fail, the spring would unload, causing serious damage to anything in the way. Release the spring, carefully following the manufacturer's directions.

• 9

  Install the spring compressors on the new coils that you are going to install onto your Maxima strut-coil assembly. Carefully, place the compressed spring-coil onto the lower insulator, so the end of the spring is resting on the lowest part of the insulator.

• 10

  Reinstall the upper insulator and spring seat back onto the rod, making sure the spring seat cut-out is in line with the strut-to-knuckle bolts. Reconnect the dust seal and upper mount to the piston rod. The upper mounting nut should be tightened to 35 ft-lbs. Release the spring compressors.

• 11

  Slide the strut assembly into the wheel hub. Hand-tighten the upper mounting studs through the holes in the shock tower. Have an assistant hold the strut, while you install the nuts, so the strut is unable to fall and hit the ground while being installed.

• 12

  Reinstall the steering knuckle onto the bottom of the strut-coil assembly. Use a torque wrench to tighten the new strut-to-knuckle nuts and bolts to 110 ft-lbs.

• 13

  Reattach the brake hose and retaining clip to the strut bracket, and reinstall the 1995 Maxima wheels. Each lug nut must be securely tightened. Lower the 1995 Maxima from the jack stands, by using the floor jack to raise it temporarily, and then to lower it.