Should I replace my struts

[dranobob]

I have a 2k Infiniti Q45 with about 100k miles on it. I have removed both strut towers because the bellows and bumpers had started degrade. My question is how to determine if the struts are at a point that they need to be replaced.

When on the car, the car responded well to bumps. You could push down on the front and there was no bounce up/down, just a slow rise back to level. Now the spring is off, you can push it in by hand, fairly easy. I am not a suspension expert at all. Is there any way to determine if they are starting to wear out.

My situation is that, the only new shocks are infiniti ones which even through a wholesaler, are about $530 for the pair. I don't mind spending the money if necessary, but at the same time the car is old and making everything perfect would be impossible. So I'm trying to find a happy balance.

[Q45tech]

Pretty much across the brand Nissan oem shocks and struts last 4 years or 60,000 miles. They are severely degraded by this point and don't function anywhere close to brand new oem specs. They usually don't leak but are almost worthless in controlling springs in the test time allowed [1.0 seconds].

Most owners are too numb to feel the decrease in spring control and faster rear body sway or straight road rear undulation excess.

Shocks/struts are 2 to 3.5 times stiffer in expansion control than they are in compression so push DOWN on the bumper just tests the springs........you and a few weight lifters must SIMULTANEOUSLY PULL UP on bumper 3" in less than 1.0 second to accurately test the shock/struts rebound control.

Why one follows the 60k or 4 year RULE proven in replacing thousands of Infiniti's.

[maxnix]

Now the spring is off, you can push it in by hand, fairly easy. I am not a suspension expert at all. Is there any way to determine if they are starting to wear out.

You just did. Replace the rear shocks also, and all the rubber, front strut bearings, maybe mounts.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Call them.

[BadQ45t]

You should for sure re-do everything. If you have the electronic shocks you need OEM replacements, if you have the non-electric ones (if you have the adjustment option) than I'd opt for the KYB SR Specials for around the same money as OEM. The OEMs are made by KYB, the SR SPecials are stiffer and more performance oriented. There was a site that was mentioned in another string where you can get those now in the US for around 500 bucks.

[maxnix]

There was a site that was mentioned in another string where you can get those now in the US for around 500 bucks.

If you are willing to wait 6-8 weeks.

http://www.memoryfab.com

[BadQ45t]

Well I waited longer for mine, and I had to front the money to Onetongarage in CASH....6-8 weeks sounds pretty good compared to that.

[BadQ45t]

Pardon my double-post, but the price is great too. I think I paid Oneton like $700 bucks or something.

http://www.memoryfab.com/produ...on_11/

Trust me the wait is worth it, my Q is TRANSFORMED from stock....it is the M version now and having stock shocks would have been the weak link with the car lowered, bigger rims and YR rated tires.

[Victor]

Just wondering why shocks for Infiniti vehicles, particularly J30s. cost so much. Did Nissan purposefully make them that way so they would have a good income stream from part sales. or is it they are such low production cars that no after market shock makers ever made their own version? Are they six times better than other shocks, since they cost six times as much as others?

[Leuthesius]

If you call Joe at infiniti parts USA, they have a strut kit for $623&change+ shipping. That kit is all four shocks on the J30 instead of the MSRP of damn near $500 for each one. If you're doing it yourself it's a hell of a lot better.

On folks that know better, will this tool: http://www.chain-auto-tools.co...E.htm

Work in compressing the springs for my strut replacement? That tool pays itself off in 2 full strut replacements easily. I just want to make sure it'll work on my J30.

As for 6x better for 6x the cost, not likely.