Advise on Active Suspension

[Mint Q45A]

The Active suspension on my car is running relatively fine, at least from what I can tell: The car bounces up when I turn in off, and gradually drops (about 1-1/2") shortly after I start it, but the ride is not as smooth as I would like it. I don't know if it is because the suspension, or is just the way it is supposed to be. The accumulators (assuming these are the equivalent to the shocks in an standard suspension) are ok; only one shows a very small leak. Is there a way to test them or diagnose them?From reading other threads it seems that you need to periodically re-charge some CO2 (canisters, accumulators...?). Is this a DIY thing or do you have to have it done somewhere? Any information on costs?Can someone point to some additional information about this?

Note: The car has 114k.

Tks.

[maxnix]

Welcome to the right place, but you need to read more about the active accumulators.

Start by reading all posts by texasoil. Then visit:

http://www.q45asuspension.com

You didn't say what year, but I was wondering if it was an IPQ? I had my eye on one knowing it would be cheap when the owner got a quote from the dealer for the cost of the deferred maintenance on the suspension.
Modified by maxnix at 7:56 PM 4/19/2006

[Mint Q45A]

Manix,Tks for your prompt feedback. I will check the info.Note: The car is a 1994.

[Fred D.]

Seattle Q45 cool, Im in Seattle/Tacoma all the time. Good to see more people from the 206 area on NICO. I would like an active Q over my non active suspension, besides the additional wieght. You will find this is the best site hands down for Nissans/Infinitis.

[3Q Jay]

actuators=strutsaccumulators=the cylinders that dampen fluid oscillations in system.

with engine running, bounce each corner. you should be able to get > 3 inches travel on the rear (front should be firmer) if not, prolly time for accumulators.

one thing to learn from my experience: if the car gets driven on flat accumulators (previous owner of mine), the system will suffer a lot more stress, eventually damaging the strut mounts (best case) or messing up the multi valve and control valve units.

Keith (texasoil) is the guru.

[Mint Q45A]

Fred D, GQ Jay,Tks for your feedback. I will do "bounce" test on each corner, as advised.

[redmanfx]

There are more trouble shooting processed in the FSM. Do you have one? Wes can show you where to get it electronicaly if you don't have it. E-mail texasoil for some info as well.

red

[Q45tech]

Note: The car has 114k.

Experience has shown that by 70-80,000 miles or 7 years the accumulators need recharging [Nitrogen]........depending on local road conditions.

[skylimey]

"Experience has shown that by 70-80,000 miles or 7 years the accumulators need recharging [Nitrogen]........depending on local road conditions" /quote

Being pretty much inept at taking a car of this complexity apart, I've taken my 94 Q45a to two dealerships to check the active suspension. Both gave a clean bill of health, but would they have checked to see if the accumulators needed a recharge? Maybe I should have asked that, huh.

Martin