Expected life of struts

[96qtrip]

Okay- give me an excuse; the '96 Q turned 107K this week. What is theexpected life of the struts, (got two boots shredded) beforeI just have to get a set of Tokico blues.....thx

[Falkdesigns]

The general rule of thumb on these cars seems to be around 60k.

[96qtrip]

Thanks - I'll look for some Blues

Where in SoCal are you? I'm in San Diego

[elwesso]

Yeah anywhere between 50-70k is when they start going out of the "acceptable" range....

[qship96]

first replacment of factory shocks done at 105,000 miles with blues-nice improvment! currently 60,000 on these blues,based on feel,i will probobly replace around the 80-90k mark-they still feel great at 60k.{factory springs}

[q45tech2]

They always " feel " OK until you replace them then you see how bad they really were!

Rear ones are more critical since they provide the emergency lane change rear sway and rebound control.

[AlabamaDan]

So how much do these Tokico blues cost?

[Rex]

So how much do these Tokico blues cost?

Check with a couple of NICO's sponsors, but expect prices to be in the ~$250 range, IIRC.

[elwesso]

Theyre like $350 from Joe and they include the dust boots, which are like $100 for the set (yes it makes no sense!)

[Flagship-Q]

Saw them on ebay for $258 shipped.

[elwesso]

Saw them on ebay for $258 shipped.

remember that doesnt include the dust boots which MUST be replaced!

[Falkdesigns]

Thanks - I'll look for some Blues

Where in SoCal are you? I'm in San Diego

L.A., South Bay area.

[maxnix]

Theyre like $350 from Joe and they include the dust boots, which are like $100 for the set (yes it makes no sense!)

Replacing the struts without replacing the rubber is like....going out in the rain without a raincoat? No, it's worse.

[FarFetched]

I wouldn't agree with that!If rubber components look not cracked or deformed, they shouldn't be replaced unless you really want or upgrading to "performance" pieces! I've replaced struts and meticulously inspected every rubber componenets. No problem found. After replacement I didn't hear (still performs quiet) any bad sounds!Cheers!

[Q45tech]

"If rubber components look not cracked or deformed"

As long as you use a SHORE DUROMETER to test them..............rubber changes with temperature and exposure to ozone..............why rubber is bagged/sealed.........so it doen't go [AS] bad sitting in the warehouse.

Still many replacement parts may have been last made 10 years ago.

So with everything brand new, it still won't MEASURE as it did in 1990-1995.

Why one is lucky to get 90% of new no matter how much you spend.

[GreenQ45a]

I just replaced mine.

I have an Active Q45 so Im not risking dirt and grit going into my active system.

These boots look like they sat on a shelf for several years they had a white coating on the outside I cannot tell if it was the rubber breaking down or just a releasing agent used to keep it from sticking to the mold.

I washed the first of 4 boots to remove the white film.After the 1st one dried I washed the inside of the other 3.I left the outside alone on the other 3 and figured the rain will take care of it. I tested the rubber for cracks or weakness and found none so I installed them.

These came from Infiniti of Scottsdale .

[PoorManQ45]

As long as you use a SHORE DUROMETER to test them..............

Oh, oh... Let me just pull that out of my pocket and go check my boots

J/k.

Question: Why are the boots so damn expensive?

[Aus94Q45]

Fancy design with integrated bushings. Just one of those OEM parts that you have to buck up for. My boots were toast by 100K and had to be replaced.

[Q_SHIP]

I wish there was a cheap alternative for me. Those Y33 touring shocks are pricey.

[Peterofdevon]

I just replaced the strut rods (wow what a dif), my tech did the labor for $45. I still have slight rattling over bumps in the front right. Tech has not drivin it yet but it feels to me like a bad (or losse) strut.

car has 123K and I'm iching for a new set of blues, what should I expect to pay for the intall?

Is it a big job?

Thanks,

peter of devon

[elwesso]

really thejob isnt hard except for installing the springs on the shocks.. What I did was took my shocks to a shop and had them install the springs then i put em on the car.....

Anyway, personally I would recommend you just take it to a shop, they should charge between 100-200 (anything in that area would be considered "fair", its about 1-2 hour job)... my shop charged me $130 to install all 4..

Next time I do the shocks im going to do them this way, instead of DIY.

[Rex]

Let me just interject, that it's not a 1 man job. By yourself, you cannot get the lower mount extended down far enough or the spring compressed enough. It takes 2 people and a breaker bar.

[Aus94Q45]

I'm confused . . . are you saying that one person cannot change the shocks??

[elwesso]

it can be done and I have done it..... if you have a spring compressor it would make it easier to install them, once you install the spring on the shock you could compress the spring a little bit..... that would allow yo umore cleaance..

Also you cant let the springs seat in the mounts (like rex's case, theyd been off the car for months)..... Sometimes that 1/2 in of clearance is needed...

[Rex]

I'm confused . . . are you saying that one person cannot change the shocks??

I personally don't think so, but I hear it has been done. So, I'll simply say a (big/strong) helper will make it much easier.

[Aus94Q45]

Guys I am no superman, but I did mine and they were a piece of cake. Now that said. if a mechanic would install them for $100-$130 as stated above, I would go that route, just to avoid the hassle. But I purchased a decent spring compressor set and easily changed these out. Take off the wheel and jack it up to where the strut is fully extended. MIne came off and the new ones went on with little effort and no "muscle" -- just had to align and gentley push into place. By the time I got to the rears, it took longer to removed the trunk panel and wheels than to take out and reinstall the new shocks. Do get spring compressors with lock pins; Do pay attention to how the spring lines up in the mounts; Do be careful with the spring assemblies (ie. don't put your face in front of the top bolt as you remove it just in case). But as others have stated here, it is an easy DIY job on the regular Q's.