Cost of Bushing Replacement

[sublime187]

My car is very "creaky" when stopping and subsequently starting to move again. You all say that these are bad bushings. Can anyone tell me how much this generally costs to fix as far as parts and labor are concerned? Any recommendations?

[maxnix]

Call Joe and his guys at

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Could be link bushings, tension rod bushings, front strut bearings.

What suspension maintenance have you performed?

[sublime187]

No suspension maintenance has been performed. To be more clear about the symptoms. as soon as I pop it into to reverse pulling out of the driveway, as soon as I release the brake, "CREEEEEAK". Apply the brake, "creak." Pop into drive, release brake "creak." These are the only times the noise is apparent. I hope this make sense...

[maxnix]

You don't mention miles or if it is driven in salt.

Time to read the posts here and determine your course of action and timing.

I would encourage you to keep the OEM electronically controlled shocks regardless if you change the springs or not.

[bullittandy]

I've got a 99 with the same noise but my sound is like a small spring being dinged but it occurs under similar conditions, changing directions from forward to backward and vice versa.

[AlabamaDan]

Sometimes brakes creak. Does it seem like it happens when you're lightly on the brakes?

[sublime187]

It's definitely not the brakes. The noise comes from when the car settles, after the braking. The brakes are hit, the wheels stop, and when the body settles into place THERE is the noise, and again when the car is back in motion.

[maxnix]

Might want to add spring seats to that list.

[sublime187]

I had a mechanic check out my suspension a few days ago. He said the noise was coming from the subframe bushings. Despite how noisy they were, he said they were OK and didn't really NEED to be replaced, they were just brittle. I asked him if I could try some lubricant on them to quiet them down and he applied some motor oil. Well the noise is totally gone now. I'm going to have him apply some white lithium grease as I've heard this may be a better solution.... I'm preparing for the shred... Cue Maxnix.

As a side note, I had an annoying rubbing/wah-wah noise coming from the front tire area, and upon inspection all components were fine. A tire change and alignment later, problem is gone.

[maxnix]

Probably slilght cupping on the inside of the tire caused the latter phenomena. Track your tire behavior and contribute to the sticky thread in Infiniti General as it is a great resource that is specific to these large sedans.

Motor oil is not the best thing for rubber. Something like Wurth preservative is. Brittle ness is an immediate prelude to failure. Keep an eye on it for leaks of the viscous fluid. Very visible if inspected every OCI.

[96Qowner]

You do NOT want to have to replace the subframe bushings - difficult and spendy. Take Maxnix's advice and get some Wurth's. Baby 'em as long as you can.

Here's a recent thread with some embedded links to old threads. Unfortunately the pics are gone.

zerothread?id=275433

You have to pull the subframe and the entire rear suspension to get at the bushings.

[sublime187]

wow. a bottle of 303 aerospace on them just before thanksgiving and 6 weeks later, still no squeaking from my bushings! and they were NOISY before. i'm gonna buy a new bottle of the stuff and take a shot of it once every 6 months. better to spend the $15 now on preventive maintenance than the alternative.

[96Qowner]