Hi Folks -
The left front (eg: driver's side) strut on my 94 Q45a is shuddering under braking conditions and will thump a bit when that wheel hits a bump.
I've seen suggestions made that due to cost considerations a lot of folks just convert all of the active suspension struts to normal struts... but I really don't want to do that. I'd also like to avoid spending $5,000 to replace the struts at the dealer.
I think I'd also prefer to do the fronts now... and the rears next spring.
Any suggestions on how to get this done without ending up with a second mortgage? (I can't do any of the work myself)
All input appreciated... since I have trouble navigating this board at times I'd also appreciate it if you'd copy me via email with any replies to this message: [email protected]
Thanks!
- michael1994 Q45a 112,000 milessilver/grey
'94 Q45a front struts
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Professor_Mike
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Wed May 01, 2002 2:19 pm
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texasoil
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2002 3:18 pm
- Car: '92 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Mercedes-Benz SL600
Q45a front shudder on braking
It sounds like tow different things are possibly going on.
The shudder on braking is probably a warped brake rotor.
The 'bang' on hitting a bump is probably a nearly flat strut accumulator. Run this check with the car running in 'park', bounce real hard on each corner to check the suspension travel. Front should have 4-5", the rear a little more. Less means the strut accumulators are low. No free travel means the accumulators are flat and you are running on bushing and tire flex--not good.
The shudder on braking is probably a warped brake rotor.
The 'bang' on hitting a bump is probably a nearly flat strut accumulator. Run this check with the car running in 'park', bounce real hard on each corner to check the suspension travel. Front should have 4-5", the rear a little more. Less means the strut accumulators are low. No free travel means the accumulators are flat and you are running on bushing and tire flex--not good.
Follow-up...
Here it is, ten months later... I've been living with that 'shudder' all this time.
Back in September, I had my mechanic check the rotors and pads... all seemed ok. He even switched the two front rotors - no change in behavior.
Thanks to TexasOil, we replaced the two front accumulators with freshly charged ones... it improved the ride - but the damned shudder was still present.
Stumped. I drove the car all winter and spring and got very good at adjusting brake pedal pressure in creative ways to minimize the 'shudder'.
Took the car back to my mechanic earlier this week with instructions to keep the car until he could find the source of the vibration... I even gave him a caliper to use for the front if he wanted to swap that out... along with two new rotors.
Lo and behold, he called a few hours later and said he found the problem... something he missed back in September - something he should have caught: some crud was stuck between the rotor and the hub. After cleaning up the hub and replacing the rotor... the shudder was gone. With the charged accumulators and smooth brakes, the front end feels like new (which is damned good on a Q45a)!
Just goes to show... cleanliness IS next to godliness!
- michael
'94 Q45a w/no shudder
'98 SL500 '98 Durnago 4X4 '83 F250 w/plow '80 Spitfire
Here it is, ten months later... I've been living with that 'shudder' all this time.
Back in September, I had my mechanic check the rotors and pads... all seemed ok. He even switched the two front rotors - no change in behavior.
Thanks to TexasOil, we replaced the two front accumulators with freshly charged ones... it improved the ride - but the damned shudder was still present.
Stumped. I drove the car all winter and spring and got very good at adjusting brake pedal pressure in creative ways to minimize the 'shudder'.
Took the car back to my mechanic earlier this week with instructions to keep the car until he could find the source of the vibration... I even gave him a caliper to use for the front if he wanted to swap that out... along with two new rotors.
Lo and behold, he called a few hours later and said he found the problem... something he missed back in September - something he should have caught: some crud was stuck between the rotor and the hub. After cleaning up the hub and replacing the rotor... the shudder was gone. With the charged accumulators and smooth brakes, the front end feels like new (which is damned good on a Q45a)!
Just goes to show... cleanliness IS next to godliness!
- michael
'94 Q45a w/no shudder
'98 SL500 '98 Durnago 4X4 '83 F250 w/plow '80 Spitfire
Was your man at least embarrasssed a bit?
Of course he was... and so was I!
We had been scratching our heads over this for months... we BOTH overlooked something that, if not obvious, should have been discovered upon any normal check of the brakes & rotors. It's HUMILIATING!
PS: thanks for teh update, we often hear the SOS but not the resolution
That's why I posted it... I know that I hate it when I can't find "the rest of the story".
Of course he was... and so was I!
We had been scratching our heads over this for months... we BOTH overlooked something that, if not obvious, should have been discovered upon any normal check of the brakes & rotors. It's HUMILIATING!
PS: thanks for teh update, we often hear the SOS but not the resolution
That's why I posted it... I know that I hate it when I can't find "the rest of the story".
