Bolstering wagon leaf springs

General information about the first-generation Nissan Maxima in the US. What was the Datsun 810 became the luxury leader Maxima in the US in 1981.

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glenlloyd
Posts: 640
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Bolstering wagon leaf springs

#1

Post by glenlloyd »

Hey all
I think the wagon rides too low in the rear. Whether the rear leaf springs are bad I don't know, but it's clear that they went to the rear coil spring suspension for a reason.

I don't know if there's any way to improve what's already there without having to refit new springs or not but I'm open to ideas here. I've thought about helper springs that bolt to the existing ones but I'm not sure whether those are going to do any good.

Thanks
Steve A
97 Jetta TDI, 86 VW Golf D
89 VW Fox diesel, 92 MB 300SD W140

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
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asavage
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Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
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#2

Post by asavage »

My '82 Wagon has very limited rear travel too.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
glenlloyd
Posts: 640
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Des Moines, Iowa

#3

Post by glenlloyd »

Yep, for a wagon, where the suspension needs to be able to accomodate some cargo, there's just nothing. It bottoms way too quickly.

I've thought about air shocks but I'd rather deal with it in another way. If I were to tow anything with this it would probably have to have air shocks if there was any tongue weight at all.

steve a
97 Jetta TDI, 86 VW Golf D
89 VW Fox diesel, 92 MB 300SD W140

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
User avatar
asavage
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Posts: 5431
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
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#4

Post by asavage »

When I used to drive mine a lot, I seriously considered getting the rear leafs replaced, but I never got so serious that I actually called the spring shop.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
glenlloyd
Posts: 640
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Des Moines, Iowa

#5

Post by glenlloyd »

Anyone have any new information they would like to share on this topic? I need some options, preferably ones that don't require major surgery, but my guess is the only good way of fixing this is to take the springs to a shop for rebuilding.

steve a
97 Jetta TDI, 86 VW Golf D
89 VW Fox diesel, 92 MB 300SD W140

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
User avatar
kassim503
Posts: 1027
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#6

Post by kassim503 »

I think there is spring blocks you can jam somewhere between the axle and the spring for extra height. I wouldnt reccomend it but it would be a cheap semi-temporary fix, try a franchise/chain auto parts store, it should be next to the coil spring blocks. I would reccomend getting new springs but that might be a little pricey, so its your choice.


The rear springs both leaf and coil are pretty cheap, they sag alot over the years and really dont hold any weight. Guess the springs are made in china or in some guys backyard. :wink:
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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asavage
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Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
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#7

Post by asavage »

New OEM ones are about $190 each + shipping:

http://www.nismoparts.com/cart/?pn=55020-W3000

I don't know whether re-arcing them would be worth the effort.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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