i currently have 45k miles on my 04 g coupe right now..the ride seems a little more rough than usual. so im wondering, is it possible that my shocks are already starting fail? i am on 19 in volks lowered on tein stechs..possible that my ride is rough due to that? and when i mean rough, it feels as if the car bangs over larger bumps and road imperfections..as if the whole car is absorbing the impact. any help would be great, thanks!

 

After you modify the suspension in any way, you should always reconsider the shocks & struts that you are using. An unmodified G will sit higher, and the shock will be less loaded, providing more travel. By sitting lower (after having the car lowered), I believe you are putting more stress on the shocks/struts, so it would seem to me that needing new ones at 45k may not be unreasonable. I'm at around 80k, stock, and I already feel like I need new ones.

 

Historically oem shocks have lasted 4 years or 60k before the progressive wear becomes noticeable [50% of new rebound stiffness].
Many people are numb and clueless so they ignore the changing in feeling........rear rebound undulations [time to damp springs].
The old method of pushing down doesn't work when the problem is pulling up time. Few people or group of people can lift the rear of a car 3" in 1/4 of a second.

Over the past 25 years of owning Nissans [300zx, Pathfinder , Q45] I've tried to avoid spending the money every 4 years but have been unsuccessful.
Never had a shock leak oil just worn out and sloppy with zero self expansion [because the nitrogen gas has leaked out].

 

What are the tell tale signs of wear? My ride recently has been a lot harsher, I'm on Tein 350z H-Tech springs and I don't remember them being this stiff when I put them on a year ago. Is it time to replace my shocks?

 

4 years or 60k with oem springs is the simple sign.
Some stiffer springs can trash shocks in 90 days if they are not built to match aftermarket springs.

Kind of like modifying an engine to double it's HP with Nitrous without upgrading internals.

 

I got 27K+ miles on my 07'g35 coupe, with stock sports suspension/19" wheels and was hearing bad rattle from the rear. Ride was really too stiff since I bought it used when it had just 11K on it.
The dealership has replaced the rear links but the sound still has not gone away, so they said they ordered for replacement of shocks under warranty.
I am surprised by how quick they went out!