G35 Coupe Cracked bushings on front lower control arms

[G35inNC]

I have a 2005 G35 Coupe with 99k miles on it. I noticed the car was pulling to the left even after an alignment at Tire Kingdom. I brought it back and they said the bushings are cracked on the front lower control arms. The techs showed this to me. Tire Kingdom gave me a quote to replace the lower front control arms for $566. Each front lower control arm is $172 and labor is $99 an hour for 1.6 hours plus fees. I asked about just replacing the bushings (I saw this done on a YouTube video on a different car and it took 15 minutes). Infiniti does not sell the bushings separately and I found a couple of places online that sell the bushings (after market). I would not be doing the work. I was going to have Tire Kingdom do it. Infinti would be about twice that much. Has anyone ever just replaced the bushings and if so, where did you buy the parts?

Thanks for your help!

Pat

[frapjap]

Welcome back to the forum!

That price isn't awful, but aside from the difference in cost of the bushings and the control arms, you're not going to save a ton of money. Granted, I don't know your financial situation, but when in doubt, OEM is the way to go. Since TK has to remove the control arms anyway to R&R the bushings, you might just be better off with new control arms from Nissan. Since most shops jack up the price of parts by a certain percentage, take a look at some of our dealers in the market place and see if you can't get the control arms for less and bring them to Tire Kingdom to replace for just the cost of the labor. If you have the additional cash, it would be a great time to do front shocks as well since the control arm has to be off in order to change them. Considering your mileage, it'd be a great time to consider that option.

Don't forget to get an alignment afterwards!!!

[G35inNC]

Thanks for the response! As far as I know, you don't have to take the control arms off to change the bushings. At least, you don't on other cars but I don't know about Infiniti's. That's why I posted here to see if anyone has done that. I am really trying to minimize my car being taken apart and the extra expense (major surgery vs minor surgery). I have not used Tire Kingdom for anything other than new tires and alignments so would rather minimize what they have to do. I am still waiting to hear back from them to see if that is an option.

I will look into having the front shocks changed if I end up replacing the lower control arms. Thanks for that advice! And I have an alignment package (3 years) so that is covered. Thanks again for all your suggestions!

Pat

[frapjap]

Very good point in regards to changing bushings! Most of my cars are ~20 years old aside from an '07 Subaru that I hardly ever touch.
I was thinking the LCAs would have to come out since old bushings are a HUGE pita to change while the control arms are still on a car that the bushings have been stuck in for decades. You're right, they may be able to change them while the LCAs are still mounted in the car. Hopefully that is the case and they'll be able to get some new upgraded bushings in there. I'm not entirely sure how the G suspension comes apart in comparison to other older cars, but I'd guess that the shocks could still be easily replaced since the control arm would have to droop to replace the bushings.

[tollboothwilley]

do not stay w/ the stock bushings

Go with WHITELINE or ENERGY

I am running the Whiteline control arm bushings, and compression rod bushings. I love them. Much more response/feel and quiet still.

You will need to remove the control arm to replace the bushings, but thats really not too bad at all.

[G35inNC]

I see Whiteline and Energy Suspension on-line. Good to know there is someone who has done this. Is it easy enough to do (for Tire Kingdom)? Infiniti won't change just the bushings. Thanks for your response!

Pat

[hershseany]

Had the same problem and bought the Prothane Front Control arm Bushing kit on ebay for $112.00 and had it installed for $230.00. So not terrible especially since the Stealership wanted over 1k to just do 1 compression rod and only 1 of the bushings....

[RED_DET]

We carry the bushings and offer discounts to Nico members....just FYI

[G35inNC]

Update: Tire Kingdom won't replace just the bushings. The tech said you have to remove the lower control arms and then cut the metal sleeve out to replace the bushings. They said the additional labor to do that would out way the savings. They said the polyurethane bushings squeak. Plus, by replacing the whole control arms, you would have a new ball joint which might need to be replaced if you just do the bushings.

Also, to frapjap, the cost to replace the front struts per the tech (not shocks) was $528. I would only save $128 in labor. I'm not really willing to pay $528 for something that doesn't need replacing right now.

So if I still want to just replace the bushings, can anyone recommend a mechanic in Charlotte, North Carolina who can do this? Also, is there a brand that does not squeak? I do not want my car to squeak :-). Maybe RED_DET?

Pat


Thanks for your help!

Pat

[G35inNC]

I was able to have the bushings changed out by Infiniti (originally they said they couldn't change just the bushings) and it ended up being cheaper than Tire Kingdom and a couple of local dealers who I got quotes from. The problem caused one of my front tires to wear out on the inner edge so needed a new tire too. Now, the car runs great and no more pulling to the left.

Thanks for all the advice!

Pat

[mikem4007]

We carry the bushings and offer discounts to Nico members....just FYI

Hello, I am new to the group and am looking for a complete Whiteline Front suspension bushing kit and was wondering about the member discount.

Thanks,

Michael