All this tension rod talk lately.

[Q_SHIP]

Do I need the whole tension rod or just the bushing?

[maxnix]

Just the bushing if you have a press.

[Q_SHIP]

Oh it needs to be pressed?

[maxnix]

Yes, that's why most dealers replace the whole rod as it is faster.

[elwesso]

and why sell a $15 part when they could sell a $100 part AND make more money

[Qproject]

should most mechanics have a press ?

even the s14 tension rods cost about 100 bucks. i just want to replace the bushings.

[Rex]

Oh it needs to be pressed?

Yes, if you "repair" the Tension Rod instead of replacing it, the old bushing needs to be (forcefully) removed. And the new bushing requires pressing in ... one member posted that using a bench vise does not work.

[Q45tech]

Take that up with the parts department executive what he has in stock is what the service department is given to use............remember the service department pays retail and all the profit flows to the parts department.

Sure internal bookkeeping but it shows why the labor rate must carry everything in the service department.

Why ownership loves the parts guys and hates the service department which never makes a profit.

If T3 made nothing on parts we would have to charge $110 per hour instead of $85.........................

[Q451990]

I believe TexasOil has used a large vice. Something about a PVC fitting and an appropriately sized drift to push it out. I borrowed a few minutes of press time before, but I'm not sure what I'll do the next time the bushings fail.

Heath

[Qproject]

so shall I just get the s14 tension rods ?

[maxnix]

No, get the ones for your car. If you go after market, they are more expensive, harsher on impact, but do give you caster adjustment.

[Q_SHIP]

I'll burn mine out with a torch!

[Falkdesigns]

That's fine for the rubber part. Good luck getting the metal ring out with that method. You need a big press and some various sized metal pipe pieces to do it right. Most shops should have a press. They're not expensive, just take up a little space.

[Rex]

and why sell a $15 part when they could sell a $100 part AND make more money

Heck, just watch ebay.

I got a brand new set of G50 OEM Tensions Rods for $46 shipped last year. I've got more time than money.

[ScottJackson]

I replaced my bushings on an anvil with the help of my dad, a 14lb. hammer, and two pieces of steel pipe. One pipe sits on top of the anvil and the inner diameter is just larger than the OD of the bushing. The other pipe has an OD that is just smaller than the OD of the bushing; and it goes on top of the tension rod which is sandwiched between the two. After about an hour of pounding and occasional swear, I had fresh bushings. Probably woulda been easier to take the tension rods and new bushings to a shop with a press, but I live 1/2 hour from town so it was kinda a toss up.

[TBrack]

aw crap. I was wondering why my Q kept wandering off the road even after an alignment

So don't waste my money on, say These ?and just get the poly bushings? (don't care about the ride)

[maxnix]

Actually I am installing those on a G50 with SPL adjustable upperlinks and a new steering rack next week.

I like the pillow balll design. May be a little less shock.

If you don't care about impact, get the NISMO bushings from Joe.

[Rex]

Actually I am installing those on a G50 with SPL adjustable upperlinks and a new steering rack next week.

I like the pillow balll design. May be a little less shock.

If you don't care about impact, get the NISMO bushings from Joe.

Brian, I'll be waiting to hear what you think of these and the SPL FUCA's.

What are you running for RUCA's?

Are you still at "stock height"?

I'm thinking about getting much more agressive with the Q from a handling perspective ... but don't want to throw away money on parts that won't last at least 20-30k.

[maxnix]

Brian, I'll be waiting to hear what you think of these and the SPL FUCA's.

What are you running for RUCA's?

Are you still at "stock height"?

I'm thinking about getting much more agressive with the Q from a handling perspective ... but don't want to throw away money on parts that won't last at least 20-30k.

I bought the last pair of SPL FUCA in Austin. They said they intend to resume production with a Heim jointed version, but I have my doubts as all the action is in the V35.

No RUCA, but would happen on the FGY33 first to bring camber back to specification if -2° causes accelerated wear. For now, camber seems no worse than a lot of big BMWs.

Everything still stock, but I am thinking of getting custom springs somewhat stiffer, but stock height to preserve annoying fender gap and stock suspension alignment. Already have a dent in passenger's side of front corner of the oil pan. Not going lower.

Look at http://www.hardrace.com to see the pillow ball construction with the dust seal as opposed to most of the other metal on metal with no dust seal. I think the rods are significantly heavier than stock, maybe 2 or 3 lbs. Sure better last more than 30K, more like 60K, I hope. We'll see. Most concerned about harshness.

SPL had some cautions on the bearings on the rip-off FUCA sold on eBay.
Modified by maxnix at 10:26 AM 3/22/2007

[gloucester Q]

this sounds like one of those silly questions, but what would be the symptoms of shot tension rod bushings?

[maxnix]

Cracking and leaking. You don't want it to get any worse than that.

[96Qowner]

When I first bought my Q, I thought the steering response felt kinda "loose". I drove it for quite awhile, even asked various people, including Dennis, what it might be. When T3 installed my front motor mounts, they found bad tension rod bushings - that was the problem.

It felt like the front hesitated a fraction of a second before responding to a steering change. The FSTB tightened it up some, but it was the tension rod bushings all along. Sort of like the sensation might be if you had balloon tires - turn the wheel and it'd hesitate a sec before lurching into the turn.

[DrewQ45]

this sounds like one of those silly questions, but what would be the symptoms of shot tension rod bushings?

Inaccurate steering, drifting, sloppy feeling front end, excessive tire wear, the inability to align properly, clunking over rough roads. I'm sure there's more.

[TBrack]

bought the hardrace rods from ebay (thanks mom )

I'll tell ya how it goes once I get em on!

[Dark Anghell]

If you decide to get aftermarket tension rods DO NOT GET S14 ones. THEY WILL NOT WORK ON Y33. Learned the hard way. Get the ones made for an S13.

[DORIMON]

So S13 tension rods (preferably pillowball for me) will work on G50's and Y33's? What about the tension rod bar that goes in between the toension rods, would this work on either the G50 or Y33? I've had this on my S13 and it doubled the steering response after upgrading to pillowball tension control rods, I'd like to have this on my G50 at least if not my Y33. Can anyone confirm if this will work on either?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

[maxnix]

ummmmm...don't think so unless that is just a random picture.

[qsiguy]

Two questions:

1) What are they called on Joe's site, everythinginfiniti.com? Just bushings and/or complete set.

2) What's wrong with these on ebay (link below). I remember hearing about a few people getting them and thought they had good results other than being a little harsher.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

[Rex]

Two questions:

1) What are they called on Joe's site, everythinginfiniti.com? Just bushings and/or complete set.

2) What's wrong with these on ebay (link below). I remember hearing about a few people getting them and thought they had good results other than being a little harsher.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

1) I'm pretty sure you can only buy complete OEM Tension Rods from Joe, but if you call him, he can let you know what he has and what he can get.

2) I think it's just a matter of "unknown quality", and most assume the worse, given the weight of a Q. If you're interetsed in trying those, I have a set (came in the "extras" box with Da Beast), I'll let you have them for less than that listings BIN price.

[maxnix]

1) I'm pretty sure you can only buy complete OEM Tension Rods from Joe, but if you call him, he can let you know what he has and what he can get.

I have bought bushings from Joe, both stock and NISMO for years.

Not all parts are on Trade Motion site.