02 rear end sag

[gemman69]

My car is sitting 1 inch too low. No I don't want it lowered, I want it stock height and at nominal camber for maximum tire life. The camber cams are maxed out and I still have -1 degree per side. Nominal is -0.58 degree.

I was thinking to get ride height back by putting Air Lift springs inside the coil springs to boost them back to stock height. Anyone done this? What size spring did you buy? I measured in sagged position 5 inches from the bottom of 'cone' to top of lower end of spring and 4 inches ID of coil spring.

Thanks ahead of time for your help everyone.

[Q451990]

to NICO!

Any chance the car was lowered by a prior owner? I know the early (90-96) Q was notiorius for sitting at different heights. Kind of weird when I had two and one sat a little taller than the other on completely stock suspensions.

Heath

[qship96]

02-06Q had a slight sagging look to the rear straight from the factory, part of the design. Before thinking you have an issue that needs correcting, measure ground to upper rear wheel well and compare to specs listed in factory service manual.You may find there is no sagging, just part of the original design.

[gemman69]

Thanks for the welcome to the forum.

I did the measurements and nominal from level ground to top of wheel arch is 701mm per the manual. Mine is at 670mm. Back to my question, how to raise it economically? New springs from Infiniti are $800, plus $200 for installation. Air Lift makes a number of air bladder coil spring booster kits that has two bladders, and lines for about $120. A remote controlled compressor can be added if desired, otherwise manual air additions are possible.

Alternatively, how do I get to less negative camber posture?

[qship96]

get new factory springs,used low mile springs from junkyard,used low mile springs from another owner who purchased aftermarket springs- plenty of options to doing it correctly to improve the look and fix the camber issue. Air lift is not the best way to do this. Expensive cars are not cheap to own, unfortunately.

[djwarner]

I did the measurements and nominal from level ground to top of wheel arch is 701mm per the manual. Mine is at 670mm.

I just checked my '02 with 71K miles - 676mm on the driver side and 682mm on the passenger side. New tires would probably add 5-6mm. The car's rear has always sat low since I got it with 47K.

Speaking of tires, I would double check the tire size compared to OEM.

[qship96]

Full, 1/2 vs near empty fuel tank also changes measured height as does cargo/tools in trunk/back seat....lots of variables to take into account.

[gemman69]

First of all, thanks all for trying to help. I've studied everything everyone has mentioned so far. The height was measured per the repair manual with the car 'unladen'. Still 25-30mm low.

[b]My primary problem is excessive rear negative camber[/b]. How do I fix that?

My first thought was restoring original ride height by adding air springs ($110 parts + 2 hr DIY install) or new factory springs (which is $800 parts + $200 labor). Air springs have worked great as an OEM part on my dad's Lincoln. They've done it for decades. Why not here?

My second thought was making a new suspension arm or modifying the existing one so that there is plenty of camber adjustment. Sounds complicated at best. Although one of us has a low rider with custom control arms that were pretty sharp. Hmmm...

Do I just have to do the air springs and let everyone know how it went?

[robausti]

I have the same issue and even posted on here as well. My 02 had the sagging rear since day one I have had CarMax, Nationwide Infiniti, National Tire Battery, and a whole in the wall mechanic look at it and they all say that the suspension is fine. I hardly see other 02 body styles on the road but when I do they all have the same issue. The hole in the wall mechanic told me he could fix the issue with aftermarket springs but so far I have'nt done a thing to it. I don't want it lowered just to have it sit level like the front. Anyone know what aftermarket springs would do the job?

[SKILLVIA]

my springs sag. manual said from ground to top center of fender well should be 28.5" front 27.5" rear. i replaces with airbags. cost about 300$ but you have to make the mounting plates to fit them in there. mine are not adjustable i just put simple tire valves as the fill port. they work well but every once in a while you will have to add air. one day i will put the ports in the gas fill up area. seen a pic on the net somewhere like that

[GODBODYQ45]

Thanks for the welcome to the forum.

I did the measurements and nominal from level ground to top of wheel arch is 701mm per the manual. Mine is at 670mm. Back to my question, how to raise it economically? New springs from Infiniti are $800, plus $200 for installation. Air Lift makes a number of air bladder coil spring booster kits that has two bladders, and lines for about $120. A remote controlled compressor can be added if desired, otherwise manual air additions are possible.

Alternatively, how do I get to less negative camber posture?

i know this is old but i just got a Q45 and i was hoping anyone had the website for these "AIR LIFTS" as i am trying to find a manual air lift setup. Not having much luck.

Thanks for any help or suggestions

[94Q45Beast]

pm me once you hit 10 posts

[gemman69]

When I wrote this I was an overly concerned new owner. Nearly 100k miles later, I truly don't care about the camber or the sag. I got over 75K miles out of a fine pair of Michelins.

My nagging issue now is an exhaust manifold leak that started a couple months ago. I dread getting it repaired.

In all, this has been an incredible car. Patching pearlescent paint is a PITA though.

[EdBwoy]

...
My nagging issue now is an exhaust manifold leak that started a couple months ago. I dread getting it repaired.
...

Off-topic, what is the issue with your manifold - crack or gasket? Driver or passenger side? Any codes or performance issues?
I ask because I replaced my y34 manifolds with those from an 06 M45.

[gemman69]

EDBWOY,

I haven't had it apart yet. My favorite mechanic wanted $250 just to investigate the scope. I hold off for now. How long did it take to replace that manifold? Did you have any broken studs? If so, how hard to take off cylinder head to get it fixed?

[EdBwoy]

I did the major replacement of both sides when the engine was out of the car, so I took my sweet time. It requires removing and reconfiguring the manifold studs on the head though.
I have (or once intended to) create a write up on Nicoclub to save y34 owners from buying what to me seemed like fundamentally flawed designs.

Having never done it in the car, I can't accurately say how long it would take for a q45; but I can tell you that a 2003 m45 has more room in the engine bay than a 2006 m45, and I have replaced the 06 manifold in the car in under 2 hours.

No stud breakage any of the times I did the removal. Aluminum casting makes for some compliant heads.