1997 Q45 Shocks/struts

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bslyth
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Car: 1995 Nissan Hardbody V6
Location: Washington State

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Hey guys,
First off, I don't know if I have shocks or struts in the Q45...
Next, my rear struts are shot. That's what the mechanic said last week when I took it in. Makes sense, I've had a really bouncy ride lately.
THEY WANT $3100 TO DO FRONT AND REAR?!?!! That's absurd, obscene, and can't be true.
Finally, if I do this myself (which I can - I did it on a Miata once when my friend broke the control arm on a curb...idiot), what should I buy that is quality, but cost-effective? If possible the same feel as stock.

Also, what should I look for to see if the springs need replacing too?

Thanks, and peace


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Q451990
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Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
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$515 front for the entire strut assemblies, $500 for just the cylinder...
https://www.orderinfinitiparts.com/part ... am=3811155

Roughly the same for the rears.
https://www.orderinfinitiparts.com/part ... am=3811380

So with boots, bushings, etc, you're probably in for about $1300-$1400 in parts for a full OEM swap assuming the parts haven't gone non-stock yet.

I'm totally striking out on shocks on RockAuto, and a few other sites... It looks like they were either never available, or haven't been for a while.

post6438981.html?hilit=y33%20shocks#p6438981

I saw some options for aftermarket mounts and bushings, but nothing for shocks or struts.

I have heard of one broken spring in the not too distant past, but I don't think it's common. If your suspension hasn't been abused, I doubt I'd worry about them.

bslyth
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Car: 1995 Nissan Hardbody V6
Location: Washington State

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Hey thanks for the quick reply!

But ohh snap, that's still more than I was expecting.
What's the difference between Unisia and Kayaba on those rear struts?

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Q451990
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Posts: 11472
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
Location: Columbia, SC
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I'm not sure... My guess would be that they just had multiple vendors, and it won't matter if you replace as a pair. If you put your VIN in, it may tell you which ones you need.

bslyth
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Car: 1995 Nissan Hardbody V6
Location: Washington State

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Sounds good. Thank you!

bslyth
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Car: 1995 Nissan Hardbody V6
Location: Washington State

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I was in luck and found a shapely 97 Q45 at a "local" junkyard. I have no idea what was wrong with it, but it seemed to be in good condition; maybe a repo.

Took out the rear strut assemblies. They looked new aside from the dust and minor cracking of the rubber bag around the strut. No grease leaking out, and after rinsing the grime no rust is visible.
If these get me another year or so till I can afford a full suspension, I'll be happy.

It was a steal too; both for about $80.

BadQ45t
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Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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Unfortuately there are no other choices for the 97' Q45 from OEM except for doing B/C Coilovers or Meagan Coilovers. There used to be some other choices out there from Japan sources off Cima but those are all gone these days. I went though KYB SR Specials and those blew out and did B/C Coilovers. They make the car handle like nobodies business but the ride is harsh. So there were never any US typical alteratives like KYB or even crap like Monroe's.

I did the B/C's for about 1700 installed, but they created issues with aligment which caused another 300 for adjustable tension bars. But let me tell you my car can be tossed into turns.

bslyth
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Car: 1995 Nissan Hardbody V6
Location: Washington State

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I'll have to check those out at some point. My goal with the Q is more of a comfort cruiser/saloon type. I want it as smooth riding as possible, but if there's a way to get the best of both worlds...

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
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84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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Sorry didn't see this, if you want the salon ride skip the coilovers. However, this leaves you right back to square one with stock. There are ZERO other choices out there available. This car didn't sell well enough in the US for KYB, Tokiko, or Bilstein to make anything aftermarket. Not even crap Monroe or Napa brands available.
IT is too bad that the KYB SR Specials never made it over here, I would have perferred those with the Tein spring setup to the BC Coilovers. THe BCs handle better but the SR Specials and Tein springs was a huge improvement over stock but was very smooth.

If you find anything in a junk yard chances are they are going to be crap, too old, 20 year old struts sitting in out doors after a car is totalled. You should just bite the bullet on the OEM or B/C or Megan is the only other option. They are not cheap either, but you can try to order them from the factory and get them made less stiff, wish I had done that.

jtreign9097
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 1:38 pm
Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45
Location: Palm Bay,FL

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I used maXspeedingrods for a 90-96 300zx for my 94 Q.. i used the stock top mounts for front and i had to drill out the alot more so the the rod could come through the top.. with my rears i used the front mounts the coilovers came with and swapped em on rear coilovers and drilled out mounting holes on the tower for the bigger threads.... completely customized my setup and she drive mint

bslyth
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Car: 1995 Nissan Hardbody V6
Location: Washington State

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I'm generally leaning away from drilling and cutting holes

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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No, don't cut. Not sure what you ended up doing, but the B/C coilovers would be a better choice than doing cutting.

98_Q45
Posts: 491
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:12 am

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I need rear struts too I think. I see Advance auto has 1 for $298. That's crazy. Does the difficulty in finding them apply to the 98 as well as 97?

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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Any tips from first gen Q's are useless, completely different ball-game for 2nd gen Q's. You have 2 choices, Coilovers or stock. That is it.

HollywoodJackson
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Do yourself a favor, and get the BC Racing Coilovers!

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

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Just so you know, the car will handle great but they are rough riding. I love the car with them, but I also had to get some adjustable tension rods made afterwards to get the alignment perfect. That said, for about the same price as getting a new set of factory shocks/struts you will have yousefl an "M" version of the Q45.


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