Chassis Lubing: Do I need to? Why?

[Jesda]

When a shop offers a chassis lube service as part of an oil change, should I bother? What exactly is lubricated? Do I need to do this on the Q?

Thanks-Jesda

[DAEDALUS]

I can't think of anything that is lube-able. Ball joints and liquid-filled bushings are all sealed. Solid bushings don't take lube of course. Even ball bearings are all sealed and replaced as a single unit.

[PoorManQ45]

I can't think of anything that is lube-able. Ball joints and liquid-filled bushings are all sealed. Solid bushings don't take lube of course. Even ball bearings are all sealed and replaced as a single unit.

YA, that's just damn Infiniti trying to screw its customers over again. The Q45 is the first car that I have ever come in contact with that does not have any grease fittings. WFT is up with that? Don't they know that grease does wear out?

And alot of times, just greasing the joints will get rid of annoying suspension squeks. But no, Infiniti can't put this simple fixtures on their vehicles. Hey, if the Customer can afford a $50k car, they can definitely afford new ball joints for $20.

I hate the way that Infiniti thinks. Of course, they do design awesome cars, but they over look the simple features. A $50k car without cub holders!!!! WTF. Oh ya, Infiniti is more concerned with performance, right . I think their performance supposedly ended with the demise of the G50. After that, they put more effort into being "luxurious". But hey, in all this "luxury" they forget CupHolders!!! WTF.

[/rant]

[elwesso]

YA, that's just damn Infiniti trying to screw its customers over again. The Q45 is the first car that I have ever come in contact with that does not have any grease fittings. WFT is up with that? Don't they know that grease does wear out?

And alot of times, just greasing the joints will get rid of annoying suspension squeks. But no, Infiniti can't put this simple fixtures on their vehicles. Hey, if the Customer can afford a $50k car, they can definitely afford new ball joints for $20.

I hate the way that Infiniti thinks. Of course, they do design awesome cars, but they over look the simple features. A $50k car without cub holders!!!! WTF. Oh ya, Infiniti is more concerned with performance, right . I think their performance supposedly ended with the demise of the G50. After that, they put more effort into being "luxurious". But hey, in all this "luxury" they forget CupHolders!!! WTF.

[/rant]

If you maintain your suspension, you wont worry about squeaks.. Even a mediorcre suspension will be ok... At 120k, my old Q was squeak free, and it had ALL origional parts, including shocks..... Only after lots and lots of miles on worn out parts do you get squeaks... If you got your alignment specs up to as new (by replacing parts and not cheating) you will have no squeaks for 60k.

Also, lets not forget this is a japanease car.. In Japan, it is considered offensive to drive and drink at the same time... So why waste the space with a cupholder... If you are supposed to stop somewhere to have a drink, then you have no reason fora cup holder.. Look at the BMW and MB of those years, the highest class ones didnt have cup holders...

[90Q45blue]

YA, that's just damn Infiniti trying to screw its customers over again. The Q45 is the first car that I have ever come in contact with that does not have any grease fittings. WFT is up with that? Don't they know that grease does wear out?

And alot of times, just greasing the joints will get rid of annoying suspension squeks. But no, Infiniti can't put this simple fixtures on their vehicles. Hey, if the Customer can afford a $50k car, they can definitely afford new ball joints for $20.

I hate the way that Infiniti thinks. Of course, they do design awesome cars, but they over look the simple features. A $50k car without cub holders!!!! WTF. Oh ya, Infiniti is more concerned with performance, right . I think their performance supposedly ended with the demise of the G50. After that, they put more effort into being "luxurious". But hey, in all this "luxury" they forget CupHolders!!! WTF.

[/rant]

You sir, just do not "get it"

The Infiniti is more than just a car to get from point A to point B. The Q45 is a driver's car in the purest sense of the word. You ask, "Why don't they have cupholders?". Infiniti asks "Why the hell would you want to drink in your car while you drive?" You do realize that Japanese people never drink in their cars, don't you?

How can you say Infiniti was cheap on things with the first-gen Q? It's such a drivers car that I have a vent dedicated to my NUTS!!

[Q45tech]

All rubber bushings & rubber boots etc need treatment to protect against [ozone, salt, etc] a tire dressing will work but Wurth makes a special rubber treatment.

Anyone who doesn't change shocks every [4 years-60,000 miles] is pretty numb to the performance aspects. Same with most all bushings.

[PoorManQ45]

The Infiniti is more than just a car to get from point A to point B. The Q45 is a driver's car in the purest sense of the word. You ask, "Why don't they have cupholders?". Infiniti asks "Why the hell would you want to drink in your car while you drive?" You do realize that Japanese people never drink in their cars, don't you?

How can you say Infiniti was cheap on things with the first-gen Q? It's such a drivers car that I have a vent dedicated to my NUTS!!

The Q45 is not a "Driver's car in the purest sense". A Driver's car would not have the "luxuries" of the Q45.

If you want a "Driver's car", go buy a Lotus Elise. That is a real drivers car. They didn't even bother putting in sound deadning material. You know why, because whent you driver a true "driver's car", you do not care about exterior noise entering the cabin. You do not need leather seats to "increase performance".

Oh, BTW, I have a friend that used to live in Japan, and is now moving back there. I was talking to her about my Q45. I was sitting inside, she was in the passenger seat. First words out of her mouth. "This is nice". Second words out of her mouth, " Where are the cupholders?". I thought just like you guys do, I thought they didn't drink in their cars in Japan. I asked her about this, she said that some people don't drink in their car, some people do. So, the exclusion of cupholders can not be excused because the Q45 is a "Japanese Car" or a, "Driver's Car". So, what's Infiniti's excuse now?

Oh, and Wes, I have never had a single squeck out of my Suspension. Greasing the bushings/Joints/fittings is all part of proper maintnence. Infiniti is like every other company on the planet. They are out to make as much money as possible. If you can not grease and/or refill the bushings/joints, that means that you are going to have to buy new bushings/joints, when on a normal car, you would just grease the fittings/joints and go on your way for another 20k miles.

[gniknave]

The Q45 is not a "Driver's car in the purest sense". A Driver's car would not have the "luxuries" of the Q45.

If you want a "Driver's car", go buy a Lotus Elise. That is a real drivers car. They didn't even bother putting in sound deadning material. You know why, because whent you driver a true "driver's car", you do not care about exterior noise entering the cabin. You do not need leather seats to "increase performance".

Oh, BTW, I have a friend that used to live in Japan, and is now moving back there. I was talking to her about my Q45. I was sitting inside, she was in the passenger seat. First words out of her mouth. "This is nice". Second words out of her mouth, " Where are the cupholders?". I thought just like you guys do, I thought they didn't drink in their cars in Japan. I asked her about this, she said that some people don't drink in their car, some people do. So, the exclusion of cupholders can not be excused because the Q45 is a "Japanese Car" or a, "Driver's Car". So, what's Infiniti's excuse now?

Oh, and Wes, I have never had a single squeck out of my Suspension. Greasing the bushings/Joints/fittings is all part of proper maintnence. Infiniti is like every other company on the planet. They are out to make as much money as possible. If you can not grease and/or refill the bushings/joints, that means that you are going to have to buy new bushings/joints, when on a normal car, you would just grease the fittings/joints and go on your way for another 20k miles.

I'd like to start a poll to see the reason why so many of us own a G50. I'd be willing to bet that it's because of it's performance and the fact that it is definitly a drivers car. Like someone said in a post in "General Chat" Nissan does a better job than any other manufacurer at making a car comfortable, fun to drive, luxurious, and reliable. They missed the cup holders, give em a break. It's not like every store that sells automotive goods doesn't sell cupholders.

I also doubt money was the motivation for them not allowing the suspension to be lubricated. I'm sure you have to lube a "normal" vehicles suspension more often than you have to replace bushings/joints on an Infiniti. Sure they left some things out of the G50, but that's why auto makers come out with a new model every year.

P.S. Are you saying a drivers car can't have luxuries???

[louiegz]

If you ask me about the cup holder thing, I think it was the fact that in the late 80’s, early 90's, not too many cars had cup holders. You’re a young guy, PMQ. You just don't remember the lack of cup holders back then. Cup holders weren't really main stream until maybe 92 or so. By that time, the G50 was already designed. With the 94 redesign, they did a half hatred attempted with those cup holders under the armrest, but they suck. Besides the fact that I don't like driving with the armrest open, I always seem to have crap in that cup holder area.

[gniknave]

That's true. I know it's no comparison but I had a 94 Saturn SL2 and it had no cup holders. It only had an area where you could put your own cupholder just like the G50.

[Jesda]

I like the Volvo approach, where a slick little tray with a folding arm slides out of the arm rest at the push of a button.

[AZhitman]

*sigh*

In today's news, the CDC reports yet another outbreak of a rare strain of "Stupititis A".

Sealed bearings are SO far superior to anything that requires a zirc sp?) fitting. Again, you're trying to apply 1950's technology to a car that has far surpassed a need for such crude implements.

And Jesda wasn't talking about an Infiniti dealer (how could you miss that?). He meant JiffyLube and the like, which still offer chassis lubrication as part of their service (for those cars that still have fittings).

Cup holders are gauche, unnecessary and for the bourgoisie.

If you must have a cup holder, you need a "pedestrian vehicle" - Budget Rent-a-Car sells them all day long.

p.s. Wurth is great stuff. 10 years from now, my window seals will still be perfect thanks to that stuff.

[elwesso]

*sigh*Cup holders are gauche, unnecessary and for the bourgoisie.

And thus we have POORmanQ45....

Fighting the never ending battle.. if you want a cupholer, put one in... theres a writeup on Q45.org, jesda has an ultra kickass one.....

As for me, no cupholders is the perfect solution to not having to clean spills...

[gniknave]

Yeah PoorMan, the writup about the cupholders on Q45.org is very helpful. I was checking it out myself last night.

[Jesda]

I dont understand how marxism entered this thread.

I thinkcupholders are awesome, since most americans spend their time stuck in traffic at 2mph.

[gniknave]

Am I missing something or wasn't the Q45/G50 (even the non-president version) designed for the owner to be driven around by someone else, while he was sipping his beverage of choice with his feet resting as they were sticking through the pass seat pass through?

Hmmm...someone must have actually gotten behind the wheel and started a trend.

[PoorManQ45]

What happened to the last posts?

Was there something wrong with what people were saying? Was someone offended? Was there something offensive?

Who deleted the posts?

[Jesda]

Theyre gone. Dont worry about it.

The moral of the story is: The Q doesnt need a chassis lube.

[elwesso]

If saw in my other post, i deleted them...

Got a problem... Dont like my moderating...? Call 765-621-8336

[gniknave]

AND back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Jesda, do you think there's enough room for 2 cupholders in the center console area? I'd imagine you have to put one behind the other, but do you think it's possible without having to lift the armrest if you have 2 medium sized sodas in there? I sit with my seat almost all the way back, so I think the armrest is about halfway back if I'm not mistaken. I am of course referring to the same cupholder you have (I forget the brand name). I'm looking to order some tonight from ultimatecupholders.com

[Jesda]

For one drink, I already have to lift the arm rest, so I'm not sure. I think mine is a Fisher (Fischer?).

[szh]

The Q45 is not a "Driver's car in the purest sense". A Driver's car would not have the "luxuries" of the Q45.

Hmmm ... I would have to disagree with you, particularly based on my interpretation of the meaning of the phrase!

For more than a decade, I drove two-seater "sports cars" (not Elise's but one's I could afford) like a 1980 Mazda RX-7 and then a 1985 Nissan 300 ZX Turbo. In 1991, I was in the market for a new 300ZX Turbo, and happened to drive by an Infiniti dealer one evening.

On a whim, I test drove a Q45 and was hooked! Bought it that very evening and drove it home - the salesman drove home my Z. Let me assure you that the transition from driving smaller two-seaters with manual transmissions, to a "four-door sedan" with an automatic, was an easy decision after that test drive! One that I would have scoffed at before the drive.

I have been driving an Infiniti of some kind (two Q45's and now an M45) since 1991 and do not regret giving up two-seater "sports cars" in the slightest. If I ever buy a two-seater again, it will be an expensive high-end sports car (Porsche or Ferrari, etc.), because I find the performance of the M45 to be the "driver's car in the purest sense" that I want and therefore, I will probably keep the M45 too! It is both a daily driver and people hauler, and yet has a willing high-speed, nimble, surefooted, fast-cornering feel when needed.

Z

[elwesso]

I edited our cupholder article on Q45.org... Sorry I didnt tell you Jes, you werent online

Z very nice post... What you described is a brochure paragraph on what a "touring car" is...

[pito11213]

I actually bought the Q because it was a luxury car. Then I found out about the performance and was hooked. Even if I cant keep my Q I will get another one. Same year preferrably. A 94 is out of my price range.

[PoorManQ45]

A 94 is out of my price range.

If you look hard, you might be able to find a '94 or '95 Q for between $3500~$5000.

I have found that you can usually get a very well maintained, possibly low mileage, car for cheap, if you can find a Senior wanting to get rid of their car.

Try to avoid buying from someone who has a 16~18 year old son and/or daughter. As we all know, kids like to beat the "piss" out of cars.

[gniknave]

Pito, try going to craigslist.org and clicking on New York for your area. Then go to car/trucks for sale. You should just do a search by typing "Q45". I've seen a few 94 Q45's for sale for a decent price in your area before.

[GreenQ45a]

I agree with szhosain..

My 300ZX is fun and can handle VERY well. The base Q45@4,000 lbs out handles most pre 92 300ZX's

The 92+300ZX is the only car under 30,000 that could almost out handle the Corvette which IS the best "SuperCar" for under 65,000 nuthing else comes close for under 96,000.

now I would take my 1994 Active Q45 over any "sports cars" even a 92+300ZX or Corvette I Buy Q45's because I have love for NISSAN cars.

If you are so worried about CUP HOLDERS PMQ45 by a 1992 Chevy caviler it had the best cup holders sticking right outta the middle of the dash even had two sizes big and REALLY FUC*ING BIG.

[PoorManQ45]

If you are so worried about CUP HOLDERS PMQ45 by a 1992 Chevy caviler it had the best cup holders sticking right outta the middle of the dash even had two sizes big and REALLY FUC*ING BIG.

Agreed. My uncle has one of those Cavilers. It could actually hold a "Big Gulp". I was really amazed by that.

Oh, to add to my "arguement":

Not having a cupholder actually makes it more dangerous(When you actually have a drink in the Q). Where are you supposed to set the cup/can/glass down after you take a drink? The only logical place is between your legs(No naughty remarks M1). Now, if your loins are burning for some reason, the drink can cool you down immediately .

What happens when you accidently spill the drink? Your attention is "momentarily" diverted from the road ahead. which is really dangerous. And if you are like some people, you completely forget about the road ahead. It's kind of like all those people you see smashed into a poll, or ditch, that weren't paying attention because they had to reach for their cell phone or something else.

In conclusion: To not have a cupholder in a car, is infact more dangerous than to have a cupholder in a car.

[90Q45blue]

Incomplete. It is more dangerous...if you drink in your car.

Nick

[PoorManQ45]

Incomplete. It is more dangerous...if you drink in your car.

Nick

I hate when the Master gives an "Incomplete".

I was just saying, If you were to have a drink in the car, it would be more dangerous to not have a cupholder.