ACTSUS won't bleed hydraulic fluid.

[snowdonx]

Hey

Car: 1990 Nissan Infiniti Q45aActive Suspension

Have been trying to get my active suspension working again. I can't bleed the fluid from the reserviour about 2.75L of fluid in there, when I open the bleed valves near the control unit they dribble in droplets.

Now i'm thinking that there is either to much air and there is a special way of opening and closing the entire system off to let out all the air or the hydraulic fluid pump is f**ked.

Any help appreciated need a reply urgently, have to have this sorted by tommorow.

[NJ 666]

Are you using a Consult? I think you have to use it and go thru a specific bleeding procedure. Haven't done one in like 5 years or so.

[Q45tech]

There are ~~4 electronic valves between res/pump and shock, these must be exercised to make sure they are not stuck closed to keep fluid from reaching shock.When shock blows seal protective to avoid draining entire supply.

After 19 years new shocks with recharged accumulators is almost always required: $4,000 + labor. Unfortunately junkyard units are

In Japan 90% were active, whereas in US less than 10% paid the extra $6,000 for this option.

[snowdonx]

Puled apart the powersteer/suspension pump and its nothing like the one in the q45 1994 manual. Not one bit is like it. There is sign of minor wear of the pump but nothing significant to indicate why it won't pump. Posted previously this is why I want the 1990 q45 manual released but seems a few people on this forum have to many financial interests in it not being released. You can blow the $4k down the toilet because i'm not paying $4k for something I can fix myself with the right manual. The pump is suppose to be a vane pump, the pump that is in their is a rotary piston pump.

[3Q Jay]

system shoiuldn't need to be bled. of course, 'bleeding' is one way to do a fluid exchange which is highly recommended unless you know the last time the full 5L was exchanged.

that said, there are bleeders at each 'strut' (actuator to be precise).

there are also bleeders at each solenoid driven pressure control valve (2 front, 2 rear). the rear actuator bleeders are a pain to get to.

[3Q Jay]

just saw your post about the pump. you are correct, it is a rotary, though i've not taken one apart. i can tell you that now that it's apart you will have many headaches after you put it back together UNLESS you replace all the brittle, oxidised O-rings. not to be a smart a$$, but opening it, and exposing the old o-rings to air will almost guarantee that they will never seal properly again. there is one large one in particular that will keep your power steering from developing pressure.

have you checked the pump solenoids to be sure they are working?

[snowdonx]

Well the funny thing is the power steering was working. Just the hydraulic fluid for the suspension wouldn't go round. Mind you I did have to much in the reserviour tank I don't think it takes 5L as I put 3L of new stuff in but it only took 2.5L of it and I had to throw the rest out, had nothing to keep it in. Even some of the old green fluid was still in the system, which I thought shouldn't have been considering theres a leak on one of the struts.

[Q45tech]

I don't know how clearer to say it: You must have a 1991 Q45 US FSM for ACTIVE SYSTEM.

[qship96]

Puled apart the powersteer/suspension pump and its nothing like the one in the q45 1994 manual. Not one bit is like it. There is sign of minor wear of the pump but nothing significant to indicate why it won't pump. Posted previously this is why I want the 1990 q45 manual released but seems a few people on this forum have to many financial interests in it not being released. You can blow the $4k down the toilet because i'm not paying $4k for something I can fix myself with the right manual. The pump is suppose to be a vane pump, the pump that is in their is a rotary piston pump.

Do yourself a favor and end the nightmare by ripping out the active suspension and purchasing the standard suspension conversion kit from Infiniti of Scottsdale for less than $2,000- will solve current and future headaches for good.

[maxnix]

Do yourself a favor and end the nightmare by ripping out the active suspension and purchasing the standard suspension conversion kit from Infiniti of Scottsdale for less than $2,000- will solve current and future headaches for good.

A better and more cost effective idea is to get in contact with board member TexasOil (presume you have read all his posts) through his website

http://www.q45asuspensions.com

[qship96]

See qtechs post a few lines up.....even with recharged bits from texasoil, new active shocks are almost always needed.....why it comes to over $4000 in parts alone- hardly more cost effective than converting to standard and permanently eliminating the active nightmare,especially for an owner from out of the country.

[Q45tech]

We have converted over 35 actives to standard [new springs, shocks, looping pump, etc] because the owners wanted to pay $1500 instead of $5,000.During past 9 years we have only repaired 4 with new accumulators and shocks.

[qship96]

We have converted over 35 actives to standard [new springs, shocks, looping pump, etc] because the owners wanted to pay $1500 instead of $5,000.During past 9 years we have only repaired 4 with new accumulators and shocks.

Yep, much better places to spend that huge $3500 savings - you could almost restore all other Q systems with it { A/C, driveshaft, differential, rack,etc}

[Infinitiguy19]

But honestly has anyone here ever ridden in a Q45a?

If not then you should, because from the Youtube video I saw it seems great.Only a restored Q45a would be close to that ride, (For the money you spend).

[qship96]

Yes, a friend bought a brand new one in 1991.

[Infinitiguy19]

How was the ride? details details.

[qship96]

I always thought the LS400{ I had 3 available to use as company cars} was a much better car if ride quality was ones main concern- the LS absorbed impacts, potholes, uneven surfaces, expansion joints much better than the Q{active or not}- that being said, the LS was boring and too mushy for my tastes, but for someone wanting the typical "luxury car" experience.

The active was unique in that you felt less leaning in curves, but I would not have paid $500 over the regular Q suspension, much less the 5000-6000 extra it cost brand new- I would choose the touring model over it any day.

By the way, my friends 91 transmission was replaced at 10,000 miles, along with numerous other problems occuring within the first year of ownership.

[maxnix]

But did that include a true conversion of pump, pulleys and removing other hardware to return each to a true nonactive G50?

If not, now they are driving around a G50 with 200 lbs of inert mass. Better a working active G50 (still one of the best rides, period) than a compromised G50.

As I have noted before, members who drive a restored active G50 seldom alos own a non-active G50. Most if not all of the converters never drove a restored active G50. They just don't know.

[qship96]

I have driven several active Q, both brand new models at the Infiniti dealership, and my friends 91 when it was less than 1 year old- while different than the "normal" suspended Q, it was not anywhere near worth the premium it cost brand new, or worth the hassle and expense when attached to a 10-18 year old car. The touring model Q was a much better feeling car brand new than the active model, handling wise. The active model could almost be described as creepy or artificial or synthetic .

[snowdonx]

Got the active working and didn't have to pay anything more than $50. Thanks but no thanks.

[qship96]

Give it time.....no free ride. The active suspension, and what it takes to maintain it in proper working order is a well documented process here in the USA. Not putting the $4000-5000 away for that oh so special day will leave you one unhappy owner.

[Infinitiguy19]

I have driven several active Q, both brand new models at the Infiniti dealership, and my friends 91 when it was less than 1 year old- while different than the "normal" suspended Q, it was not anywhere near worth the premium it cost brand new, or worth the hassle and expense when attached to a 10-18 year old car. The touring model Q was a much better feeling car brand new than the active model, handling wise. The active model could almost be described as creepy or artificial or synthetic .

The ride is synthetic or artificial? Maybe its just weird and maybe new compared to the standard suspension your used too.

[Q45tech]

Lots of difference between an untrained on systems version of working and WORKING as new.

The Nitrogen charge in accumulators leaks out progressively every 6 years and the system while leveling somewhat will be harsh and jiggley.

I cannot believe that the four shocks don't leak yet but they may have been replace back in Japan once or twice already.

Good luck in keeping things functioning.

[maxnix]

I have driven several active Q, both brand new models at the Infiniti dealership, and my friends 91 when it was less than 1 year old- while different than the "normal" suspended Q, it was not anywhere near worth the premium it cost brand new, or worth the hassle and expense when attached to a 10-18 year old car. The touring model Q was a much better feeling car brand new than the active model, handling wise. The active model could almost be described as creepy or artificial or synthetic .

And such is your opoinion, and like I said before, the people who drive fully functional ones tend very strongly to prefer them to standard springs and shocks.

[texasoil]

IBID x 10

The 'actuator' (shocks) leak only if people run with flat accumulators AND do not replace cracked/shredded dust boots or change the system oil. Spouses '92 Q45a, 177Kmiles, recharged accumulators and new dust boots @95K in 1997 has NO leaks, fluid changes at 90K and 150K miles. Performs as new. NO PROBLEMS EVER with active system.

I run my stock '94 active with front strut tower brace and Porterfield carbon/kevlar brake pads on the road racing track with Porsches and stay with them through the corners and out run them on straights, out brake them coming to corners. Nothing else comes close to the 'active' experience.

The system IS unimpressive at first because it is so refined you cannot feel it 'working'. Until you notice it DRIVES around corners rather than plowing, doesn't dip on braking, squat on acceleration, road undulations disappear, serenity abounds while you haul a**!

[maxnix]

IBID x 10

The system IS unimpressive at first because it is so refined you cannot feel it 'working'. Until you notice it DRIVES around corners rather than plowing, doesn't dip on braking, squat on acceleration, road undulations disappear, serenity abounds while you haul a**!

Most people think going fast is when a car lurches as velocity and vectors change.