1993 Q45 rear shock replacement

[seattlejoe]

Hello, The rear shocks on my 1993 Q45 need replacing. No local parts houses stock the shock. Any recommendations on where to order them? Also, I appears that it is a simple installation: remove shock/spring assembly, use spring-compresser tool to compress spring, install new shock, and re-install shock/spring assembly. It appears that this has nothing to do with rear wheel alignment, so the local repair shops are doing a "profit center add-on,", e.g., quoting $880 for the job. Any advise about procuring the shocks and installation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Joe

[Exar-Kun]

880 for the job I assume includes shocks, did you try finding shocks, and I would repalce them all around...chances are if everyones quoting you 800 dollars...there's a reason.....

I'm not sure, but I think some q45's had automativally adjusting dampers.. and I know nothing on a Q is cheap.take a look at tire rack for some kyb gr-2 struts and shocks and see how much they are, again I would like to see you replace them all around with the same valved shock, othwerise it'll upset your handling balance a bit.-chet

[szh]

Hi, Joe.

Please also do a search in the Infiniti General forum - lots of good information there on shocks and replacement! It is DIY if you are facile with automotive things to do with your car.

Best Q45 shocks (for first-gen Q, that is) are Tokico Blues, available at Southwest Autoworks (see their ad to the left here). The original Infiniti shocks were OEM from Tokico (Tokico Blacks). They are a bit softer, and the Blues are more recommended.

As also mentioned by Chet, if you have a Q45A model, the "shocks" are adaptive and need a different kind of fix. Contact "Texasoil" (one of the NICO members) for more info - he is able to recharge these Nitrogen-filled units to get the original A performance.

Z

[Grant@tirerack]

Depending on the miles, you may want to have the bushings looked at as well.