This year since this summer I had a problem with the paint in my engine bay. I had a small overheat and shortly after I noticed the paint on my right Valve Cover (VC) (oil fill hole side) was shriveling up. I am doing my best to think of words that describe the paint condition but I have never seen anything like it. Next comes the paint on the shock tower. This summer I applied Meguiars NeXT Generation 2.0 (NXT 2.0) wax to the engine bay (including the shock towers). But now the paint on the shock towers is rough, like sand paper.

A little after I noticed the paint on the right VC getting shriveled up (Not due to the overheat) the brake fluid would constantly be low. So I had to keep topping it off and I always thought it was because of the frozen brake caliper, till now. I could never trace the the leak. I looked at the brake caliper and all around it but I only saw some green stuff on the control arm. As far as I know brake fluid doesn't turn green.

Today I happen to clean the ABS actuator, shock tower and surroundings. This was before I went to the shop to have the caliper replaced. But after cleaning the ABS Actuator I was none the wiser because fluid only seeps out when the brake pedal is depressed.

But today I have the Right Front (RF) brake caliper replaced with a re-manufactured unit. After paying the bill I drive out and a only get a few feet before I notice the brake pedal hits the floor and I have no brakes. Luckily this shop is in non heavily populated street. So I go back and asked if they bled the brakes, They did. And they bleed the brakes once more and still that doesn't fix the problem. They checked for leaks and found the ABS actuator leaking. And when I say leaking I mean the brake fluid gushes out with pressure when the brake pedal is depressed heavily. But like the Tech said "Your lucky you had it happen hear and now" And for those that think he did something to cause this, He didn't. Anyone that knows me knows the "Mechanics" I have been through. I don't trust just anyone anymore. And just a tip that Qship96 knows about, Make sure who ever you allow to work on your car allows you to be near the car so you can inspect your car and his work if needed.

So I walk home 1.5 miles in 40 Degree weather in a tee shirt and jeans (Didn't expect the ABS problem). Then I go with my Father and pick up the car (AAA tow truck) and bring it home. But please don't think I am complaining because I am not. This car has saved me many times over and got me where I needed to go without issue. I was planning on getting a Griots Garage random orbital polisher but...

So now I am looking for a ABS actuator!

And I thought I found a Q45a Rear Sway Bar (RSB) but it turns out the guy sold it. And the front end is torn apart so no Q45a front air duct (To remount the Transmission and Power Steering coolers).

See people with good luck (Finding a OEM car cover) comes bad luck (Blown ABS Actuator).

Could neglecting to replace a stuck brake caliper cause the ABS Actuator to leak?

Where exactly is it leaking? My concern is that its not actually the unit but a line...

I have a couple 90-93 ABS actuators in my attic..

I have a leaking one i need to fix.... when work is not so time consuming. The one im running now doesn't work but i really don't like ABS so i haven't even bothered. Spring time is coming i cant friggin wait. Need a good wash/wax shampooing and cleaning

I can always pull one that looks good at the pull-a-part for you if you need one. I agree that you should check the lines in the area too.

Heath

elwesso wrote:Where exactly is it leaking? My concern is that its not actually the unit but a line...

I have a couple 90-93 ABS actuators in my attic..

I can assure you its not a line, I wish it was a line as a matter of fact.

Were the ones you pulled Wes from low millage cars that weren't totaled?

BCC93QT wrote:I have a leaking one i need to fix.... when work is not so time consuming. The one im running now doesn't work but i really don't like ABS so i haven't even bothered. Spring time is coming i cant friggin wait. Need a good wash/wax shampooing and cleaning

So thats a no?

Q451990 wrote:I can always pull one that looks good at the pull-a-part for you if you need one. I agree that you should check the lines in the area too.

Heath

Heath I told you already how I pick my used parts, any chance you can keep and eye or two out for Q's that meet those requirements?

Thanks all and have a great New Year.

Most of the Qs that I see there are not totaled from collision damage. I suspect many of them were just deemed too expensive to fix. That said, if you're super-concerned about the pedigre of your used parts, you can always spen a few hundred to have yours rebuilt by A1 Cardone. Most of the chain parts stores can send them off for you.

Heath

I am sorry I thought I was more clear in saying "I wish it was leaking from the line and not between the ABS Actuator housing".

I called Auto Zone and Advance Auto parts and both don't carry nor have any way of sending the ABS Actuator off to be repaired Heath.

But Heath please let me know when you plan on going to a Pick and Pull because I do need one. Whats the going rate for them?

I may consider trading my Cr-48 (Google Chrome laptop) if once can prove the ABS Actuator came from a clean low millage Q.

I can go pretty much whenever. Low mileage would be defined as less than 200K in the used parts market at this point. From the web site, they have a '91 and a '92... they had a '93 that had lower mileage, but it apparently has gone to meet mr. shredder.

When I searched A1 Cardone's part number, 12-2256 it brought it up, but said it wasn't available for store pickup or ship to home. My guess is that they require a core to be sent to them. That's the way it was when I had mine rebuilt on the old Q.

You might have to go into the store with A1 Cardone's part number to get them to go through the process of looking it up.

Heath

How much do they usually charge for the ABS Actuator? If you are going to a pick and pull, How much more is the 12 month warranty?

Any ABS Actuator from a Q45 made in 07/1990 to 02/1993 will fit in my car. And it does matter if the car has TCS or not as its all the same.

I called A1 Cardone and they said to bring the ABS Actuator to a NAPA store to get a "Guesstimate". For anyone else who went to A1 Cardone's website and failed to find a telephone number here it is: 1-888-280-8324

Infinitiguy19 wrote:How much do they usually charge for the ABS Actuator? If you are going to a pick and pull, How much more is the 12 month warranty?

Any ABS Actuator from a Q45 made in 07/1990 to 02/1993 will fit in my car. And it does matter if the car has TCS or not as its all the same.

I called A1 Cardone and they said to bring the ABS Actuator to a NAPA store to get a "Guesstimate". For anyone else who went to A1 Cardone's website and failed to find a telephone number here it is: 1-888-280-8324

Are you SURE the actuators are the same for TCS vs non TCS models, as the TCS models use 4 channel abs vs 3 channel for non TCS cars- I cant see how they could be interchangeable.

Hey I was with you before I called the dealer to find the part numbers:

Prod.M(onth)/Y(ear):0889-0790--Part Number: 47600-60U00-
Prod.M(onth)/Y(ear):0790-0293--Part Number: 47600-60U01-
Prod.M(onth)/Y(ear):0293-06/96Part Number: 47600-70U00-

I'm pretty sure the 90-92 (and maybe '93) are the same? Someone with FAST could confirm that.

Heath

something does not smell right here, as a 4 channel actuator would need 4 brake lines feeding all 4 individual brakes, and a 3 channel actuator would only have 3 lines exiting the actuator - one for each front brake and the third feeding the pair of rear brakes, right???????

Q451990 wrote:I'm pretty sure the 90-92 (and maybe '93) are the same? Someone with FAST could confirm that.

Heath

The dealer looked up those part numbers and the Month and Year Q45 they apply too.

From what I read from Dennis and the old posts is that the 1990 Q45 had a problem with bad seals on the ABS Actuator. Then in 1991 they fixed it and the problems was dealt with. Then of course in 1994 they used a completely different unit.

Qship96: I have no idea...

I think the TCS vs non TCS is the same for the ABS actuators, because 2 lines feed the front brakes, then one line feeds the rear as you said. ABS and TCS are actually different systems, as the TCS system has a separate pump and actuator to feed the rear brakes.. Its actually possible in some cases for ABS to work properly, and TCS to not work properly. While they share many components, they are actually entirely separate systems..

This was also confirmed with the FAST.. The FAST lists 3 P/N as Paul pointed out..

Wes do you remember from what cars you pull the ABS Actuators from? Were they in an accident?

maybe ALL 90-93 use 3 channel ABS, while later 94-96 use 4 channel ABS only on TCS equipped models?

qship96 wrote:maybe ALL 90-93 use 3 channel ABS, while later 94-96 use 4 channel ABS only on TCS equipped models?

No there are only those 3 ABS actuators listed for all G50...

Like I said, 4 channel ABS is kind of misleading because its actually the TCS thats 4 channel, not the ABS.. The ABS actuator only controls the rear wheels as a pair, the TCS system (TCS pump/actuator) controls the 2 separately.

Infinitiguy19 wrote:Wes do you remember from what cars you pull the ABS Actuators from? Were they in an accident?

I am almost positive I have 2 90-93 ones.. No idea on the particulars, but to make you feel good they came from a 92 model with 65,000 miles that the owner got rid of due to excessive bird poo on the trunk lid.

Bottom line is, make me an offer however I wouldnt be able to ship for a week or so.

elwesso wrote:No idea on the particulars, but to make you feel good they came from a 92 model with 65,000 miles that the owner got rid of due to excessive bird poo on the trunk lid.

Are you saying Wes is lying?

I'm saying Wes is joking... The "if it makes you feel better" part is the clue.

Heath

elwesso wrote:I think the TCS vs non TCS is the same for the ABS actuators, because 2 lines feed the front brakes, then one line feeds the rear as you said.

My understanding is all TCS are 4 four channel and all non TCS are 3 channel.

Hate to say it but Wes is right (No offence Wes). All 1990-1996 Infiniti Q45's have three channel ABS. I would have thought four channel since everything else on this car was ahead of its time.

I bet you all expect me to say "How can we convert a Q to four channel ABS" But my project days are gone for now. Hell with Q45Tech gone among so many other members I find it hard to think the Q will become something better than it is. I mean this is Infiniti's FIRST flagship and one of the first Infiniti's Nissan is abandoning, How does that look for them!?!?!?!

Strangely enough 1997-2001 Q45's are said to be the most reliable despite Nissan being in the worst financial situation. How does that happen?

Anyone ever figure out why Qtech stopped posting and left without a goodbye after all these years????

Yeah Maxnix posted it. He basically moved on after the scare of loosing his Q.

Q45tech never worked at T3, he was/is just a customer!

Why did "Infiniti Lineup" moderator delete his post? Just for being wrong?

Anyways I got a ABS Actuator from a black 1993 Q45 with 160K miles for a okay price even after I pulled it myself. I hope no one has to change a ABS Actuator with the car on the ground and not done on a lift. What a pain in the you know what and I am young. I also did it in 30 degree weather with no jacket, in the dark with a flash light!

I am puting the ABS Actuator in soon cause I miss the Q already and it needs a wash bad.

Could a stuck (Non functioning) brake caliper cause the ABS Actuator to leak? Too much pressure?

All his posts have been deleted........vanished without rhyme or reason?

How many shop hours would it take to replace the ABS Actuator? I am thinking of doing it myself if need be. One shop says he has no idea (I trust the guy). I don't want to pay out the you know what for this if I could do it myself.

How does one go about bleeding the ABS Actuator or is the special Nissan ABS tester tool required to bleed it properly?

Not sure on shop hours. I remember doing mine in an afternoon comfortably. And that included taking time to clean and paint the bracket that holds it in place. The paint was curling and flaking off due to the exposure to brake fluid.

For bleeding, just go through the standard process for a brake fluid flush. I'm pretty sure Dennis said that T3 didn't even have the special ABS tester tool...

I just drove mine for a while, sprayed down the road in front of my house, and then "tested" it a couple of times. No problems at all...

Heath