New front struts 2003 M45

[bavauto325i]

I need a good source for Front struts for my 2003 M45. Is the Infiniti dealer the way to go or is there another sorce.

Thanks

[szh]

I need a good source for Front struts for my 2003 M45. Is the Infiniti dealer the way to go or is there another sorce.

Thanks

I've been looking for the same (actually all four shocks) ... no luck yet.

So, I currently plan to get struts from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com ... OEM parts at great prices!

Z

[maxnix]

I've been looking for the same (actually all four shocks) ... no luck yet.

Z

Did you follow up on the IOM thread?

[bavauto325i]

Thanks I just checked the price with them. why dont Aftermarket companys make this strut?

[szh]

Did you follow up on the IOM thread?

Darn, I forgot about that. I should contact One Ton Garage first ... thanks, Brian, for the reminder!

Z

[Boon]

Darn, I forgot about that. I should contact One Ton Garage first ... thanks, Brian, for the reminder!

Z

If you do, please update this post with what you find out. I would be interested too but I would like a bit stiffer setup. The reason I didn't go with the springs is that I couldn't find aftermarket struts to go with them. Thanks Z

[CakeDaddy]

Front struts.....What symptoms(sp) are you all having? And, what mile mark are you all at to be considering replacing front struts?

[Q45tech]

For the past 25 years Nissan shocks have worn at virtually the same rate by 4 years or 60k the rebound is shot and down to 50% control.The rears tend to fail first due to their higher rebound stiffness.

Shocks don't leak until a few years after they are totally worthless.

Shocks are a wear and tear item just like brake pads or tires.

[Boon]

Not so much symptoms but if I'm going to spend the time to do the springs I am going to replace the struts while I'm in there too. With 60k on them already, it would be no time before the stiffer ride of new springs took its toll on the stockers. If I only had like 30k on the car I wouldn't worry so much.............................................Boon

[bavauto325i]

Its making a bumbing sound. I took it to my long time macanic and he told me that the strut bushings on the 2003 infinity m45 need to be replaced around every 60K I have 78K on the Car. he took a look and told me that the struts have started seeping as well. So it looks like it is time to make a change. here is the sight I found a set at. http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/ after reading the service manual it looks like I will be able to do the work myself. I just have to go and get a few specilty tools.

[szh]

What symptoms(sp) are you all having? And, what mile mark are you all at to be considering replacing front struts?

My car is currently at about 66k. For the past few thousands of miles, I have noticed that it is simply not handling well ... going over bumps, particularly on curves, there is small but distinct sideways lurching and rear wheel "hop" (not large, but it is there). Straight-line is pretty much okay, of course, and there is no floating or anything like that, but it simply does not handle as well as it did when new.

The symptoms are very indicative of shocks that need replacement. I have meaning to do this for a few months, but been lazy a bit about it ... because it ain't like it is "broken". All four shocks are going to get replaced in my case, although it feels like the rears are in worse shape than the fronts.

Z

[szh]

after reading the service manual it looks like I will be able to do the work myself. I just have to go and get a few specilty tools.

Good! Please let us know how it goes!

I am not mechanically inclined but I have been thinking about trying to do this myself (originally wanted to do this on my old Q45, but sold it - along with the shocks I bought for it - before I got around to it).

For the learning factor and because I want my 10 year old son to learn too). I'll be careful with the spring compressors though - don't want anybody to get hurt with that!

Z

[bavauto325i]

It looked rater strait foward from the servace manual. I just have to rent or invest in a few specilty tools and my friend told me that white-out or a white marker works well to mark the tie-rod location just enough to get it into an alignment place after the job is finished. I will post the pictures of the job as soon as I do it.

[bavauto325i]

New development. in the service manual there is a tool that is used to remove the strut from the strut spindile asembily. So is there an aftermarket strut that can be places in there for much less? I got a quote for a strut spindle asembly at $178 per side. Why would the service manual have that tool in there if the strut cant be seperated from the strut spindle asembly?

[szh]

Okay, I have my answers now ...

1. There are no after-market shocks available for the 2003/4 M45 from any supplier in the US or Japan, that will fit these cars.

2. So, you have to use the OEM shocks. Not absolutely sure who is the actual supplier to Nissan, but it is believed to be "Unisia Jecs".

3. There is an expensive coil-over setup available from Japan from Insurance. Costs about $2600 for a set (plus you gotta pay to install them too - unless you do your own) since it includes the front spindle/coil/shock assembly. Way too rich for my taste!

So, I plan to use the OEM ones from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com. And, yes, they are $178 each for the fronts, and $159.98 each for the rears.

Z

[bavauto325i]

Thanks I will be ordering mine soon.