Upgrade Your Nissan Juke's Handling with Aftermarket Coilovers

Introduction to Nissan Juke Coilovers

The Nissan Juke is a fun, funky compact crossover that debuted in 2010. With its bold, polarizing looks and nimble handling, it quickly became popular with driving enthusiasts. Many Juke owners choose to modify their vehicles, and one of the most common upgrades is installing aftermarket coilovers.

Coilovers replace the stock suspension on a vehicle. They allow for adjustable ride height, dampening force, and spring rates. This gives drivers the ability to customize the handling characteristics of their Juke to their exact preferences.

Installing coilovers on a Nissan Juke opens up a wide range of modification possibilities. Lowering the ride height sharpens handling and gives the Juke an aggressive stance. Upgrading the shock absorbers to high performance units reduces body roll and improves cornering. Stiffening the springs prevents squat, dive, and bottoming out.

With so many options, picking the right set of coilovers for your Nissan Juke can be overwhelming. This guide will cover the benefits of Juke coilovers, what to look for when shopping, installation tips, and reviews of some of the best systems on the market.

Benefits of Installing Coilovers on a Nissan Juke

Here are some of the main advantages of upgrading your Juke's suspension with aftermarket coilovers:

Improved Handling and Cornering

Coilovers let you adjust the ride height lower than stock, which lowers the center of gravity and allows the use of wider, lower offset wheels and tires. Stiffer springs and adjustable shocks improve handling response. All of this adds up to reduced body roll and increased grip when cornering hard.

Customizable Ride Quality

Each coilover system allows you to independently tune the compression and rebound damping. This lets you find the perfect balance between a comfortable ride for daily driving and a controlled, sporty feel for spirited driving. Adjustable ride height also allows you to fine tune clearance and appearance.

Increased Performance

Upgraded coilovers reduce squat under acceleration and dive under braking. This allows for faster acceleration and harder braking. They also prevent bottoming out over large bumps and dips at speed. Overall, your Juke will handle better at its limits.

Aggressive Stance

Lowering your Juke with coilovers gives it a more aggressive, planted appearance. Especially when combined with new wheels and tires, it makes your Juke look like it's ready for the track.

Versatility

Coilovers allow for occasional track use while still being comfortable enough for daily driving duties. With the ability to adjust ride height, you can raise your Juke up to clear speed bumps and steep driveways too.

What to Look for When Choosing Nissan Juke Coilovers

With so many coilover kits on the market, it can be tough deciding which set is right for your Nissan Juke. Here are some factors to consider when shopping:

Brand Reputation

Established brands like KW Suspensions, Eibach, and Bilstein are known for their high-quality components and engineering. Their coilovers are precisely calibrated and rigorously tested. Lesser known brands can offer the same adjustability at a more affordable price.

Build Quality

Look for units with inverted monotube shocks for increased precision and durability. The shock bodies, springs, top mounts, and bump stops should all be made from high-grade materials as well. This ensures they last through years of performance driving.

Adjustment Range

Consider how low you want your Juke to sit and how firm you want the ride. Look for coilovers that offer an appropriate range of ride height and dampening adjustments. Also make sure the spring rates match your goals.

Ease of Installation

Many kits come with all necessary installation hardware and detailed instructions. Comprehensive photo guides can make installation easier too, especially for first timers. Some coilovers may require extra modifications like trimming bump stops.

Warranty

Reputable brands offer warranty coverage against defects in materials and workmanship. This protects your investment should anything go wrong. Kits with longer warranty terms tend to be higher quality.

Price

Nissan Juke coilovers range from around $800 up to $2500. The most affordable options still offer adjustable dampers and lower ride height. Higher-end kits feature inverted monotube dampers, extensive adjustment ranges, and highly customizable spring rates.

How to Install Coilovers on a Nissan Juke

Installing aftermarket coilovers on your Juke requires some mechanical skill and automotive expertise. Here is an overview of the process:

Lift the Vehicle

Use a floor jack to lift your Juke and support it securely on jack stands. This gives you access to the suspension components from below.

Remove Wheels

Take off all four wheels so you can remove the stock struts and springs.

Disconnect Suspension Links

Detach the sway bar end links and lower control arms from the strut assemblies above. This allows the factory suspension to come free.

Remove Stock Components

Unbolt the shocks and strut mounts from above in the engine bay. Then you can remove the entire factory strut assemblies from the vehicle.

Install New Coilovers

Assemble the new coilover components according to the manufacturer instructions. Then mount each complete coilover assembly in place of the factory struts.

Reconnect Suspension and Wheels

Bolt the upper mounts and lower control arms back to the new coilovers. Install the wheels, lower the vehicle, and reconnect the sway bar links.

Set Ride Height and Damping

With the vehicle on level ground, adjust coilovers to your desired ride height. Set compression and rebound damping to manufacturer specs for starters.

Align the Suspension

Installing coilovers requires getting an alignment service done afterward. This ensures proper tire wear and straight line tracking.

Fine Tune the Setup

Test drive your Juke and make small tweaks to the coilover settings. Lower it further if desired. Soften or firm up compression and rebound to fine tune the ride.

Top Nissan Juke Coilovers Reviews

Here are some of the most popular coilover options for the Nissan Juke:

KW Variant 3 Coilovers

KW Suspensions Variant 3 coilovers are Built in Germany and offer extensive adjustment of ride height, compression, and rebound. The inverted monotube dampers provide precise handling without sacrificing ride quality. They lower the Juke up to 2.4 inches.

BC Racing BR Series Coilovers

BC Racing BR coilovers feature adjustable ride height from 1-3 inches lower than stock. Their twin-tube dampers offer adjustable compression and rebound damping. Camber plates allow for alignment adjustments. An affordable option for the Juke owner on a budget.

Megan Racing Euro Street Coilovers

Megan Racing coilovers provide a basic coilover setup at an entry-level price point. They offer 1.2-4.0 inches of ride height adjustment andtunable dampening for balance of performance and comfort. Great bang for your buck.

Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs and Shocks

For a simpler alternative to complete coilovers, Eibach Pro-Kit springs paired with aftermarket shocks like KYB Excel-G provide a moderate 1.2 inch drop. This combination enhances handling response while retaining a comfortable ride.

FAQs about Nissan Juke Coilovers

How much does it cost to install coilovers on a Nissan Juke?

Coilover kits cost $800 to $2500 for the parts. Installation at a shop typically ranges from $400 to $800 in labor fees. So expect to spend $1200 to $3300 total depending on the kit quality and if you DIY or have a shop install them.

Should I get coilovers for my daily driven Juke?

Quality coilovers like the KW V3's can work great for regular daily driving. They provide adjustable ride comfort while improving performance potential. Just don't slam your Juke too low if it needs to clear speed bumps and steep driveways.

Can I install coilovers myself?

Installing coilovers yourself is possible with mechanical ability, automotive tools, and patience. It typically takes 6-8 hours for DIY installation. Following instructions closely is crucial. Be sure to get an alignment done after.

Do I need supporting mods with coilovers?

Lowering your Juke more than 1.5 inches with coilovers, it's a good idea to upgrade the end links. Wider wheels and tires also complement coilovers. Chassis bracing can help tune chassis stiffness for hard driving scenarios.

Conclusion

Upgrading your Nissan Juke with aftermarket coilovers opens up a wide range of performance improvements. You can customize the stance, handling response, and ride quality to match your exact driving preferences.

KW, BC Racing, and Megan Racing make top quality coilovers for the Juke. Look for adjustable compression and rebound damping matched with inverted monotube shocks. Following proper installation procedures ensures you get the most enjoyment from your new Nissan Juke coilover kit for miles to come.

FAQs

What are the downsides to lowering a Juke with coilovers?

Lowering does reduce ground clearance which can make the Juke more prone to scrapes and bumper damage from parking lot curbs, speed bumps, and driveways. Handling and performance benefits typically outweigh this downside for most drivers.

Will coilovers improve quarter mile times?

Coilovers help launch harder by limiting squatting under acceleration. But suspension tweaks alone likely won't dramatically improve quarter mile times. Engine tuning or upgrades would be more impactful for drag strip performance.

How low can I safely go with Juke coilovers?

It's not recommended to lower more than about 2 inches in the front and 1.5 inches in the rear. Anything lower risks damage from bottoming out and impacts handling. Test carefully if going lower than this.

Do I need an alignment after installing coilovers?

Yes, an alignment is mandatory after installing coilovers to correct any change to camber, caster, and toe. Misalignment can lead to poor handling and uneven tire wear.

What maintenance is required for coilovers?

Periodically check for any fluid leaks and external damage. Clean dirt build up around the shock bodies and dust covers. Follow manufacturer service intervals for rebuilding shocks and lubricating joints.