96 Q45 rubbing noise in left front end..Help!

[trijesusdrwho]

Hello,

I have a 1996 Q45 that I bought in 2000. It has had a front end problem since having brakes replaced a few months back. That may or may not be a factor at all but that is how long the rubbing noise in the left front end has been occurring. I took it to the dealership and they wanted 2700 to replace the front struts they said was making the noise. They also said struts were leaking and needed replacement. I found an aftermarket dealer and bought front and rear struts and they were replaced with an alignment at another shop. The noise is still there and perhaps a bit louder. It seems to make the noise when going over bumps and when sitting still while tapping hard on the brakes making the car lurch forward. I am taking the car back to the shop on Monday so they can try and figure out what the problem is. Also while looking under the car I touched one of the rack and pinion boots and it opened up and exposed some metal. It apparently is torn and the mechanic said it would not hurt it all all. I would think the boot is there to protect the metal contained by it. I have spent lots of money on this car and it is getting even more expensive as I go along. I love the car but am I wasting my money trying to keep it up? It only has 95,000 miles on it and most cars today will go to 150 or 200,000. What type of maintanence should I be considering with this mileage. Valve cover gasket and plugs were also changed this week. Please, if you can help me I would so appreciate it!

[Q451990]

When the brakes were replaced, were OEM Infiniti parts used, or aftermarket? I wouldn't normally think that the noise you're describing would be caused by brakes, but since you say the noise started at that time I wonder if it's not related. If you just heard the noise while letting the car creep forward and stop, I would think brakes were a very likely source.

The mechanic that told you that your p/s rack boots being torn won't cause problems should never be allowed to touch your car again. The boots are there to keep grit and water from getting in to the grease and wearing out the rack seals. Those failed $10 boots, if not replaced when torn, can cause a total rack failure!

When you had the front shocks replaced, did you use OEM Infiniti shocks, or aftermarket? Did they shop replace all of the rubber strut mounts and boots? I think I would also look at the tension rod bushings. These are at the front end of the rods that run at a 45 degree angle from the lower suspension members to the front of the car. There are bushings on the front side that are about 5" in diameter. If they are cracked or leaking silicone they can introduce a great deal of slop into the suspension and create all kinds of noises.

With only 95K on the odometer, your car is just getting broken in if it has been maintained well with frequent fluid changes. But any 13 year old car will need a complete suspension overhaul at this age...

You can either toss a handfull of parts at it from time to time over the next couple of years - or take my approach... bite the bullet and replace every single rubber component in the suspension all at one time and enjoy the like-new ride that you never experienced unless you bought the car new!

You mentioned having new plugs installed this week. If you used anything other than OEM Infiniti or NGK plugs (especially Bosch) I would get them out as soon as possible. We have seen multiple instances of electrodes falling off of non-OEM plugs, as well as other driveability issues.

Welcome to NICO!

Heath

[maxnix]

What type of maintanence should I be considering with this mileage.

We can tell you about your deferred maintenance if you tell us what has been done.

Heed Heath's word s to the T.

And be sure to read you trunk lettering!

[trijesusdrwho]

Hello Heath and thank you for the response. I am very sick about this whole issue as I took my car into another shop today because since having struts replaced apparently the fluid has all leaked out of the rear struts and now my car is bouncing like it is made of rubber. I thought I was buying infinity parts from Beaverton Infinity in Oregon. I assumed all was well when I left the shop yesterday but today is another story. I was told by the second shop to just go buy another car. The second shop said the struts were probably bad to start with. Where can I buy the parts you were discussing and be confident they are authenic Infinity parts? The plugs were supposedly the ones you were referring to in you reply. All that seems ok and car is running smoothly as far as the engine is concerned. I don't know who to trust to take care of this situation. The dealership is way over the top as far as pricing is concerned and I went to a shop that I now feel is questionable. I agree with you about the rubber dust covers on the rack and pinions. It should be replacee but now I have spent around 1600 and I think I will have to pay someone else to replace the faulty new struts. Yikes I am in a real quandry!

NO Longer disgusted and Alone! Than k you all!

Modified by trijesusdrwho at 4:13 PM 12/20/2008
Modified by trijesusdrwho at 9:47 AM 12/21/2008

[Q451990]

How long ago were your rear shocks replaced? Do you know the brand of the shocks you purchased? What color are they? For genuine Infiniti parts you can order them from Infiniti of Scottsdale... these guys are great. Their web site is http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Might be worth giving us a run-down of all of the maintenence you have had performed on your Q since you bought it... and any information you have from the previous owner's maintenence history.

Honestly, your issues are pretty minor - so don't let it get you down. Sure, you'll pay a few grand to get the Q back in good condition - but an as-new Q is worth that. You couldn't replace it with anything comparable with the resale value plus cost of repairs.

Heath

[goody90q45]

....It should be replaced but now I have spent around 1600 and I think I will have to pay someone else to replace the faulty new struts. Yikes I am in a real quandry! disgusted and alone

I can understand your disgust but you're not quite alone. I'm assuming you bought parts from Beaverton (OR?) Infiniti online and live in the Indy area? I see that one of our founding fathers, Wes Stinson, has an invite in his signature for Q owners needing help in the Indianapolis area. See his signature in the first post of this thread.

zerothread/270018

Send him an email: [email protected]. He's on break from school for a few weeks and can probably help you.

[maxnix]

I thought I was buying infinity parts from Beaverton Infinity in Oregon. I assumed all was well when I left the shop yesterday but today is another story. I was told by the second shop to just go buy another car.

Did Erik work on your car in Beaverton? He is a Senior Tech that knows the G50 well.

Did you just buy your parts there and have them shipped?

Wrong plugs will run fine until they break and kill you engine.

You seem a little casual about what you drive (HINT: - It is not an Infinity) and how you maintain it. The point being if you don't read the pervious posts here and the FSM, you will have no more clue than the avearge mechanic and the car will not last long subject to ignorance and abuse. Just a thought for you to consider. You might be better in a Focus, Malibu or any Honda or Toyota which don't require as much of the owner's attention or involvement.

[trijesusdrwho]

Thank you all for the helpfulness. I am definitely encouraged and I really don't want any other car. I am surprised by all of you that love this car as much as I do. I am not a mechanic, I am a female dental technician and feel like a fish out of water in this arena but I am desperate to keep my car running. I probably have not taken as good of my car as I should have but now being faced with buying something else. I am repenting of my neglect of this wonderful auto. I live in Indianapolis and had the OEM parts shipped from Beaverton Infinity in Oregon. I talked with them yesterday and they assured me that they were brand new parts, including the NGK plugs which are now installed. The work on the valve cover and the plugs went well but not the shocks. I don't know if the shop was qualified to do stuts as they may have damaged them. Perhaps they were faulty to begin with. I don't know. I hope Beaverton Infinity will work with me on this. Again to all of you Q45 owners that have guided me along, Thank you very very much. Sincerely,Sandra Q45 owner

[Q451990]

Please spell Infiniti with an "i" at the end. Your car will sense your new found respect for her name from your garage or driveway and will run better

Heath

[elwesso]

I sent her an email and maybe we can meet up and I can see whats goin on with the puppy...

[trijesusdrwho]

Ok...INFINTI......I can't believe I misspelled it...

[Q451990]

I guess if you want to get technical about it, Nissan mis-spelled it - but either way...

Heath