'94 Q45 Shocks/Struts - Info needed, please.

[TellarHK]

Hi all, Ever since getting my '94 Q45, I've been really happy with it. The one concern I had upon receiving the car - a problem with a rubbing sound in one wheel well when turning hard - turned out to be nothing more than cheap tires which quickly wore down in normal use. No more grinding, no more problem. However, with that knocked out of the way and checked by a really good local mechanic, I'm now considering what work I might want to do in improving the ride and handling.

The rear suspension is nearly shot, so this is my starting point.

A problem that I've run into now, is that the mechanic I'd like to use (Precision CV in Carson City) says their parts distributor doesn't carry anything for the Infiniti, but they'd be willing to drop it in most likely for only a couple hundred dollars if I bring in the parts. These guys took great care of me with my last car, and they're a local shop as opposed to a chain so I'd like to give them my business.

What this brings me to now, is what do I need to get?

I've looked at the infiniticarparts (or whatever it is) website, and they don't appear to have anything for my model. And I hear about these "Tokico Blues" that sound good, but I'm not sure just what exact parts I need.

Can anyone give me some information that might help me get the Q back up to the handling I fell in love with 10 years and 80,000 miles ago?

[maxnix]

You need to call

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

And get the blues and the gaiters with bump stops at the minimum.

I am betting every other rubber part is shot also.

Consider tension rod bushings and sway bar and link bushings also, at the minimum.

Did they check your steering rack bushings?

Welcome to NICO!

Happy reading!

[Q45tech]

Each corner rehabilitation of a 90-96 costs ~~ $750 in discount parts to restore to near new.Tension rods, shocks, upper links, kingpin bearing via 3rd link, lower suspension arm. sway bar bushings, does not include wheel bearings.

Everything suspension can be done for $3,000 in parts unless your wheels are out of spec.

Everyone's standards are different. How much like new do you want to spend?

[TellarHK]

My standards aren't -that- high. Can someone just give me the basic part numbers for the essential components needed to take the "mush" out of the rear? The car is virtually rust-free, as it was a San Joaquin Valley car in CA before spending a few years in Maine as a wintertime garage queen so I shouldn't need to replace too many things due to that. I just think the shocks/struts themselves are rough, and only the rear seem to be a problem right now.

[96Qowner]

Start with shocks. I'd advise you to call Infiniti Of Scottsdale (same as infinitipartsusa.com) at 1-888-344-6346 and get their Tokico Blues package. Tell them you're a NICO member and want someone who knows all about the early Q45. Try to speak to Joe, personally, if he's available, or wait until he is. You're going to want the boots with their built-in bumpstops, the rubber mounting bushings, and you might as well replace the mounts, too. That's in the $300 range, total.

Joe knows his Q45s.

See if that "restores" the ride for you. You undoubtedly also have worn suspension members. Anything you need can be identified by us and ordered through Joe.

[Q45tech]

That's the problem when money is a consideration, you must be rich to drive a Q or let it fall into a pile of excrement under the good paint exterior.

The amount of deviation between the 180 day alignments will tell you how bad the bushings are worn.The alignment expert will [hopefully] test the tie rod ends, bearings and king pin mpvement.

Most people are so numb that they don't notice much especially the 30k wearout life of upper links, much less the silcone leaking of front tension rods.

Shocks and boots all around will do wonders. Make sure rear subframe is not leaking silicone from bushings.

[maxnix]

I just think the shocks/struts themselves are rough, and only the rear seem to be a problem right now.

Believe me, the front are also!

Replace all 4 with the parts I recommended. Call IoS.

And get the upper links regardless, as if you don't need them now, you will soon. And if you do need them, you cannot align the car with worn ones.