1991 Q45 troubles

[latinQ45]

recently i started feeling all the bumps in my Q and i know it still has the stock suspension... is it time to change.. feels like i dont have complete control of the car especially if i were to hit a pothole.. let me know please i knew to the whole Q45 scene thanks

[elwesso]

welcome to our forum!

How many miles do you have on the car? If your over 100k and the suspension hasnt been touched your well overdue!!!

Plan on replacing your shocks and all rubber components, but youll be rewarded with an as new feeling Q

[latinQ45]

yes my Q45 has about 120xxx so yea ill make sure to change it.. i want the smooth ride everyone is talking about that the Q45 gives you.. im glad i found a forum just for infiniti... thanks...

[elwesso]

Id suggest getting Tokico blues shocks with new dust boots, and replace your upper links, tension rod bushings, and sway bar bushigns...

you can get it all through Joe, his contact information is in my sig. if you call him tell him i recommended you

[JedCoop]

yes my Q45 has about 120xxx so yea ill make sure to change it.. i want the smooth ride everyone is talking about that the Q45 gives you.. im glad i found a forum just for infiniti... thanks...

I love and value the ride too. However last time I bought a pair of rear OEM struts they were softer than they used to be. So shortly after I bought them I put Tokicos all around. The ride is still excellent, but the handling/control over bumps is improved.

Unlike many others here, I would not recommend using lowering springs.I like the fact that on bumpy curves my tires stay in solid contact with the road, but that is just my opinion.

But if you want a pair of rear OEM struts with only a couple of months of road use cheap, send me mail.

[Q45tech]

Be sure to check [replace] the top shock spring seat [doughnut] rubber isolator.

By 120,000 miles EVERY piece of rubber should be replaced [except for those in rear suspension arms [which seem to last until around 150-180k].Varies depending on local ozone and road salt exposure.

[breaksr]

I did the Tokico blues front and back and all the rubber bushings (front and back) and it cost me about $515 (two years ago). Also the upper links in the front and the tension rod bushings probably need replacing by now. That adds another $275~ with the increase in infiniti prices. The good news is you only have to do it once. If your not crazy about a hard suspension I suggest buying the factory OEM front suspension from Infiniti the blues are very hard.

[maxnix]

... I suggest buying the factory OEM front suspension from Infiniti the blues are very hard.

Joe's price on the front struts is now $267 each!

I am relatively old (for htis board), and I find the blues ideal with stock springs. Even with the NISMO polyurethane bearing in the tension arm.

[Q45tech]

Good to budget $1500 every 60k/4 years for shock and suspension [upper link every 30k, tension rods every 60k] and bushing/seat replacements.

The recent [increase in] parts prices are the factory telling you time to retire the old Q unless you make $150,000 per year.......or can buy a few parts cars to keep around.

We always say a smart Q owner should have 1-2 spare Q in identical colors to cannablize.

[96Qowner]

We always say a smart Q owner should have 1-2 spare Q in identical colors to cannablize.

Heheh, and someplace to store them.

[breaksr]

yipes $267 each the whole set of blues is $260 (eBay) now. The back ones must be $500 a piece by now. I've been riding on urethane tension bushings for about 70K now and their just too hard with the Tokico's. I also replaced all the rubber suspension pieces at the same time I replaced the struts and it made the car handle nicely but the ride is a bit too jarring for me.

[Q45tech]

YEP! The expense of a isolated rear subframe was not an easy one for the factory to swallow [why US cars are still mostly cheap solid rear axles or a modified version].........to go for a front isolated frame was unheard of until recently.

Taking a smooth lux car and turning it into american or worse a pickup with urethane is best left to the youngsters.