Active Struts

[GreenQ45a]

Thanks to Jay and Keith (GQ Jay and TexasOil) I'm ready to install the replace the rear strut actuators. both the rears are leaking on my 1994 Infiniti Q45a I replaced the main four accumulators 8 months ago which fixed the rough ride and front leaks.

I now have a set of four dust boots and front rebound bumpers (torn from riding on flat accumulators) from Jay who had the parts ready for his own rehab. He got the parts from Joe from Everything Infiniti (Scottdale Infiniti Parts Department) he also got the gaskets\spacers that go @ top of the struts. and sent them off to me before I even paid him. (Thanks Jay )

Keith (TexasOil) sent me a set of NON-Leaking strut actuator cartridges to replace the leaking ones in the rear.

2 Parts

Part 1: Front "Active" Strut System.

The front strut actuators were leaking before the "TexasOil Recharge". However now the system is not leaking from anywhere in the front.

The issues with the front are #1: the dust covers\boots are torn and #2 : The Rebound Bumper on the front right is split down the middle. I have both of these parts ready to go...

Part 2: Rear "Active" Strut System.

The rears are leaking the passanger is worse than the drivers. I have tracked the leaks in the rear to the Actuators (tower cartridges) themselves and found the Dust Covers\Boots were torn ( REAL BAD) no doubt why they started leaking in the first place with the dust able to get into the Actuators seals. I beleave the rear Rebound bumpers are OK but I might need to get them last min as well...

As usual the FSM's diagrams are not very helpful when taking apart the "Active" system.

I was wondering if there was any walkthrough's or write ups on removing the active struts (with the intention of putting Active ones back in)?

I did a search but could not find what I was looking for.

Any advice or helpful hints would be great I'm starting this project tonight.

How long does it take to swap out a set of Struts on a Q45 or Q45a?

[3Q Jay]

Green- good to hear you got the goods. hope it all works out for you.remember to bag the ends of the lines when you take the struts out and flush everything real good.

unfortunately, i don't have a whole lot more to add at this point--keep us posted and take pix!

[GreenQ45a]

Thank's Jay.

I was wondering if I replace the to bolts on the top with non hollow bolts do I just rotate the top until the Strut un-screws from the bottom?

[3Q Jay]

yes. you will need a big honkin pry bar.

suggest breaking it loose before dropping the strut, and then unscrew the rest of da way once your on the bench and got the spring compressors retracting the coil.

[GreenQ45a]

Thanks Jay...

I got the rear done last weekend and no leaks...

I have some new info about bleeding the system to avoid the Q45a needing a few days to rebuild pressure.

I will post it later I'm at work now...

[3Q Jay]

cool, glad to hear it was uneventful. did you do the rear mounts or rear bounds while you were in there?i hate bleeding the rear struts--tricky to do it without a mess.

i am curious to see your burping method-- i rigged up a vacuum on my reservoir, sucking from the wifey's honda.

yes, i meant that in more ways than one. and i'm not apologising.

[GreenQ45a]

The rear rebound bumpers were in great shape. The bushings for the struts were stilll soft still in OK shape will make it till after I get the other 5 Accumulators from Texasoil.

I will be installing the front ones you sent me this weekend.

I will take pics.

I have pictures of the front window regulator I did the week before I still need to post.

[GreenQ45a]

One down one to go...

[GreenQ45a]

I need to know how to post MANY pictures in one post....

[3Q Jay]

very cool. looks like your front mounts in good shape--did you take any closeups of the mounts?

[Jehangir]

Congrats GreenI'll have to do mine soon too as the fronts are torn but not leaking. I figure when I have to drain the fluid to replace the other five accumulators then I'll change the dust boots too. How hard was it to do yourself. you mind if I ask how expensive the parts were? and how long did it take to do the whole job? While the actuator is off, is it wise to change anything else as a preventative measure as well?Thanks ....

[3Q Jay]

the front boots are 22.43 each and the rears 18.36/ea. front bounds 17.51/ea, special order takes about a month. front mounts pricey at 90ish/ea. i didn't do the job--although i have it well thought out in my head. my boots were not torn, so i sold my stuff to Green.

green's picture above got me thinking....i wonder if the bushings in the lower end of the 'strut' ever need replacing? with the texasoil recharge, bringing things bacvk to life maybe there is another [secondary] reason the actuators need replacing. damn shame if the only way to fix a worn out $5 bushing is a $1000 strut.....

[texasoil]

I have not ever seen a bottom rubber bushing failure on an active strut. If there is one, I'm sure we can find/fabricate a'suitable replacement' rather than having to buy a new 'actuator' at >$900.