compression rod or cv joint or something else

[SunnyGL]

Hey all, my 2nd query in a just over a year, but I pop in often to see what's going on...I bought an off-lease '05 G35x last year from one of those independent places and it's been a very enjoyable ride.

Its warranty (4yr) was up late May and I had it in for service and a few warranty related items included the dreaded compression rod creak from the left front. Now I'm getting a similar noise from the right front, a kind of creak/clunk/pop sound that seems more prominent when there's some lock on the wheel. But, I've also heard a similar sound when cv joints were going on my old Escort (it had 168K miles when I passed it on to another family member with a note that cv joints will need replacing...).My G has 54400 miles so I'm guessing it's a bit premature for a cv joint to be going and am tending to point the finger at the compression rod. I'm taking it to my local Sullivan's tomorrow to have 'em check it out, but I wanted to seek some opinions from here too:Given my mileage, compression rod seems more likely over cv joint, or another issue?I think the service guy at Infiniti mentioned that the right front had already been replaced so not good if it's gone again. So this leads to 2 more questions:Do you think Infiniti will replace it for nix since I'm just out of warranty?I've asked Infiniti for the service records from its lease days to see if RF was already done - will they oblige?

Having read the forums a lot, the compression rods seem to be a common issue and an expensive repair for what they are (I've seen $500-700 quoted - the complete part alone is over $200). I've also seen the idea where the bushings are replaced rather than the whole unit, given the right tools. Actually I went off and downloaded the TSB just now. They note that AWD cars have iron rods that "corrode more frequently". Anyone know why the difference - just curious?

If it is the rod what dangers are posed driving on it for a little while longer - if I need to replace the whole rod I can get one via the net a bit cheaper than the local Infiniti dealer is going to charge and have Sullivan's fit it. I'm really not wanting to pay dealership premiums right now and I'm only into doing minor stuff myself.

Thanks SunnyGL

PS Now have G37 envy, sat in one when mine was being servicedPPS Man, those Acura TLs are sure ugly but I've seen a lot around

[Poyzinous]

WELL given that at my dealer the only time an axle has ever been replaced was because of collision damage, its very very unlikely that the axle is bad. The compression rod will do al kinds of noise. Thats more than likely your culprit. The AWD uses steel ones, the RWD uses aluminum. The bushings are impossible to replace, which is why the whole rod gets replaced. You could also have another suspension issue...The G37 is an absolute wonder. The TL is definitely hideous. I believe I said once that it looks like a blind naked sushi chef did a touch up of the front end with a samurai sword during an earthquake in freezing temperatures while he was making pancakes out of gunpowder and habanero peppers. Anyway, if the compression rod is bad, you should replace it soon, it will eventually break off its bushing and you will have a hard time driving.

[SunnyGL]

Thanks for your reply Poyzinous.

update

My local Sullivan's didn't get far so I emailed Infiniti about the service records, which they can't supply, then called them whereupon they say the right front compression rod hasn't been replaced.

So I took it to the dealer this morning and agree to pay a $125 diagnosis fee if I don't fix it with them and indeed it's the compression rod ($198 part, $290 labor) and the stabilizer links (2x $45 and $130 labor). What's that, about 3.5 hours labor?

I've called Infiniti to see what they'll do since I'm just out of warranty and this compression rod issue seems to have been a very common problem on the 03-06's.

I'm not in the mood for spending close to $500 for what seems like a poorly designed part.

Anyone know why awd is steel and rwd is aluminum?

cheersSunnyGL

[Poyzinous]

Its steel because of the AWD system's added weight. steel is stronger, and more resistant to vibrations caused by the drawbacks of the awd system.

[tollboothwilley]

You can have just the compression rod bushings replaced. Thats the cheaper and easier route with the same end result.

Thats what i did...

The endlinks shouldn't be clunking at all. Not common for the fronts to have problems. Its the rears that have problems...and mostly after people upgrade to aftermarket sways.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Did you post up the procedure for the bushing fix? I have some noise on my passenger front compression rod...

SunnyGL, I'm with you, I don't want to dish out $500 if I don't have to...

[SunnyGL]

Hi y'all,

An update

Well kudos to Infiniti, they picked up the tab for the repair.

I'm not sure if I have to cover the diagnostic fee from the dealer as I took it in on a Thursday for diagnosis and took it back Friday to get the job done - the dealer said that since I was out of warranty, Infiniti would not reimburse them - it appears they were wrong.

For BrandAidDesignG35, I guess it depends how far out of warranty you are, I was just under 3 months and had the left c-rod replaced in April. If you still have warranty, well no problems. The TSB number is IT08-013a (april 29, 2009). I got it from Infinitihelp I believe.

tollboothwilley: I mentioned the bushing only TSB and the service writer said they don't like doing it as they can spend more time trying to get the bushings out and still not get it right. Having not flirted with either method myself I don't know, but I'm guessing the markup on the complete replacement is in the order of 100% (they're discounted at 25% off list at on line parts places) so perhaps replacement has other advantages? Also the TSB mentioned to check for corrosion in the awd steel units and replace if seen so perhaps awd cars get rods replaced at a higher frequency.

So once again a big thumbs up to Infiniti.I'm going to be eying a G37x all the more now, so where can up come up with that $40k....

cheersSunngGL

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

it looks like a blind naked sushi chef did a touch up of the front end with a samurai sword during an earthquake in freezing temperatures while he was making pancakes out of gunpowder and habanero peppers.

My new fav quote

DJ