How to Replace the Springs in a Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima is one of Nissan's best selling models. The Maxima has offered many varieties of suspension systems over the years. This spring replacement guide focuses on the most common standard MacPherson strut. Replacing the springs in a Nissan Maxima doesn't require special tools, but reaching the springs does require removing other components.
Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Replacement springs
Safety goggles
Floor jack and stands
Socket wrench and sockets
Box wrench
Adjustable crescent wrench
Lug wrench
Torque wrench
Spring compressor and associated tools
Attaching nuts (3)
Replacing the Front Springs
1

Raise the Maxima and securely support the frame with jack stands. Remove the wheels.
2

Disconnect the brake hose from the strut and tie off the ABS wheel sensor. Mark the location of the steering knuckle bolts before removing.
3

Remove the strut attaching nuts while supporting the strut, and take the strut assembly off the Maxima.
4

Put the strut assembly in a spring compressor, loosen the piston rod locknut and compress the spring with the compressor in order to remove the piston rod locknut. This step can be dangerous as the spring has a great deal of energy which must be controlled. Check to make sure the compressor is secure before compressing the spring.
5

Note the proper connection between the strut and the spring before removing the spring. Replace the spring and reattach it to the strut.
6

Reassemble the strut assembly and reattach the strut to the strut tower using new bolts properly torqued along with the steering knuckle bolts, ABS wheel sensor, brake hose and front wheels.
7

Lower the Maxima and check the alignment.
Replacing the Rear Springs
1

Raise the Maxima and secure the wheels with jack stands before removing the rear wheels.
2

Put a jack beneath the rear torsion beam assembly and remove the two bolts holding the strut onto the Maxima.
3

Take off the bolt holding the strut to the rear torsion beam assembly before taking the strut off the car and securing it with a vice and spring compressor.
4

Loosen the piston rod locknut and compress the spring in order to remove the piston rod locknut. Be careful as the spring is under pressure and must be held securely to prevent injuries from occurring.
5

Remove and replace the coil spring after making note of its position relative to the strut.
6

Reassemble and attach the strut assembly. Make sure to realign the removed components according to their previous locations as noted earlier.
7

Remove the support from the rear tension bar, replace the wheels and lower the car. It may be necessary to align the wheels.

Tips & Warnings

Buy powder-coated springs which are coated with a rust proofing before the powder paint is applied and baked on. This process makes the spring much more resistant to corrosion.

Always torque the nuts and bolts according to exact specifications.

Take the pressure off the springs before disassembling. This is potentially very dangerous as the springs carry a great deal of force which is expended when their restraints are released.