crossmember bushings

[alexander]

'96 Q diag with leaking crossmember bushings.The whole thing (criss/croos piece) needs replacing, I am told.Is there a safety issue if I puit this off awhile.

So far the 'ride' is just jarring at times.

[maxnix]

What is a crossmember?

Your car is talking to you. Are you listening?

[superuber]

What is a crossmember?

Your car is talking to you. Are you listening?

I'm listening to mine........it says "beat me, beat me!"

Think he's talking about trans mount/ bracket.Leaking?

[alexander]

That's the wording on the serviceinvoice from Infiniti dealer."Found rear Crossmember Bushings Leaking".Tech showed me the rear Bushings, definitely leaking and told me the whole assembly attached these things, it looks like a partial 'X' beam in rear of car.

[Raxephon]

.......it looks like a partial 'X' beam in rear of car.

Does it look like the following?

[alexander]

That's IT!!

[maxnix]

Think he's talking about trans mount/ bracket.Leaking?

Can't be as it is solid rubber only mounted on the bracket.

[maxnix]

Rear subframe. Pretty major as the silicon filled busings aren't available separately.

Call Joe and find out if the rear subframe is available and what it costs. Not sure a used one would last lnog enough to justify the labor.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

There is a post about burning them out and replacing with polyurethane which is much stiffer. Mark86t maybe?

You shouldn't drive your car at all until this is addressed.

[Denver90Q]

He's probably talking about the rear subframe bushings which would be quite a job to replace.

[96Qowner]

There is a post about burning them out and replacing with polyurethane which is much stiffer. Mark86t maybe?

You are correct, sir! Unfortunately, the pics are gone - they were way cool - two smoking pillars of fire.

zerothread?id=99977

zerothread?id=196465

zerothread?id=210313

[maxnix]

You can use Z32 urethane bushings or go all out (as I did) & purchase solid adjustable Z32 tension rods which have the heim joints. The part number for the urethane bushings is 7-7105/$36.00 fromhttp://www.suspension.com/nissancars.htm

I did it to mine with the urethane bushings. No noticeable harshness or vibrations, really. Took about 4 hours with 2 friends helping me get the entire rear suspension down. Burning out the bushings was easy. Here is my step by step: (perform at your own risk as I may have forgotten to list something in here)

-remove entire rear suspension (no special tools needed)-drill holes through the rubber/silicone between inner & outer sleeves-burn rubber/silicone out-using mapp gas torch(looks like propane hand-held torch but burns hotter) the bushings will actually light on fire & slowly burn into a pile of ash-let them burn-eventually the center sleeve falls out on its own-use wire brush attachment on drill to clean out the rest of the rubber***check bushing fit at this time-bushings sprayed with silicone will slide into two of the brackets now-can't remember if it's front or rear-use air hammer to drive out sleeve of other bushings-silicone spray will now get those two inhttp://www.suspension.com/nissancars.htm part #7-4102 $69.00

Pcitures were at http://www.q45.org

I'll ask Jesda if they got hosed when the server melted.

[sijoko]

He's probably talking about the rear subframe bushings which would be quite a job to replace.

I replaced mine on my 94 Q. It will take forever and a day to do it yourself but it is cheaper than buying a new one for $600. Plus, the poly units will last a lifetime.

If you pay a shop to replace the bushings, then the total cost would be almost the same as buying a new subframe.

So, if you're after performance and want to save some bucks by doing the work yourself, then go polyurethane. Otherwise..................

[alexander]

That's what the service guy said. the silicon bushings are not available separately.

Now the part of your post thatI'm paying particular attention to is...."this issue needs to be addressed before operating the car".

Am I clear on that??

Drive to get repaired or dson't drive it again.

Thanks for all the info.

You guys 'rock'.

[maxnix]

Well, it is unsafe and you are probably doing damage to the suspension mounting points which will get really expensive to repair.

Think emergency and quit driving it until you can get it repaired.

Look for posts from BadQ45t where he references an independent shop in SF area. He's in Half Moon Bay.
Modified by maxnix at 8:11 AM 2/23/2008

[Q45tech]

Common failure in 90- 96Q, just like front tension rods the rubber wears, cracks, and silicone leaks out.

It takes an expert about 6 hours to replace, besides lift and transmission table jack be will need a helper for a few hours during the 6 so we call it 8 shop hours.

Common $1300 mainteance item. But since they last 12+ years less than $100 per year prorated.

A side benefit is usually the rear camber returns to spec with new unbent mounting tabs and the diff vibration goes away with new isolator mounts.

[superuber]

How many bushings are there in the rear suspension?

[alexander]

That's about what my guy quoted for the job. maybe up to $1600.00.

He's going to look to see if other suspension stuff can be done at the same time. Probably struts too.This is not a Infiniti shop, but they took care of the car when the valve covers needed replacing. They actually had another '96 Q in the bay next to mine.I guess that can be reassuring.

[qship96]

Is the rear cross-member part still available to purchase from Infiniti?

[alexander]

My service person just ordered the crossmember. It's coming from the East Coast.

Not sure from whom he is getting it.

[Raxephon]

............. rear camber returns to spec with new unbent mounting tabs............

Dennis, which tabs in the picture I posted above usually get bent?

[Q45tech]

The camber rod mounting tabs, and all the thin tabs where different arms attach.

Remember 0.125" is 1 degree of camber so 0.0125" is 1/10th of a degree.

Measure rear alignment POTENTIAL before and after you will see an improvement in range.............less negative camber possible. {Usually a few tenths of a degree}.

Not usually the sole reason to replace subframe just an added benefit.

Just like front shock tower bend inwards increasing negative camber and can bee screw jacked outwards via front strut bar eventually after years of reverse pressure and constant adjustment [if the screw threads don't fail].

Important to replace all rubber isolated suspension arms to get back near new.

[Q45tech]

Over the years we have replaced about 18 [5 in personal cars] and probably have 25-30 customer who need them changed but don't want to spend.

[alexander]

So crossmember frame/bushings get replaced on Monday. About $1800.00)

Also going to replace struts at same time. Using OEM's.Now with all this stuff off the car should I have them replace other suspension items that still have life on them but to save myself labor $$ later on?

[superuber]

and Wes was busting on me for putting a $2900 IPT transmission in!

[maxnix]

Save on repeat labor and parts prices as parts will not be cheaper.

[alexander]

Got a price of $220.00 for each of the OEM rear struts. That's Infiniti's price.Other options.??????????????????Front struts were almost $400.00 each.

Looking at 3 grand for all the work. Wouldn't be bad if I could regroup the bank account for next years work order .

[qship96]

Get the Tokiko blue shocks from Joe at Infiniti of Scottsdale...less than $400 for all 4 shocks and dustboots delivered to your door!!!!

Hurry, as Joe is running a $5 shipping special for the next few days!!!!

[96Qowner]

Infiniti Of Scottsdale, a NICO sponsor, 1-888-216-5328, ask for Joe, tell 'em you want the NICO discount.

[alexander]

Just ordered them. Total was $408.00 including shipping. Not.... Bad!!

Thanks for the fast reply.When your in SF I'll take you out to dinner with the savings!

Alexander

[alexander]

Just got my '96 Q back from shop with it's new rear suspension crossmember thing. They also replaced four oxygen sensors.Total cost $2600.

The car is absolutely amazing to drive now. Seems even better than when I bought it with 45k miles in '99.

So far have put only a total of less than 6 grand in unexpected repairs.It has 130k now so should go another 100k with maybe another 5 grand in upkeep.New Blue Struts go on it tomorrow.