G50: Tension Rods Brands - Your Experiences Good and Bad - Please Share

[lino]

I was just wondering if you guys can share your postive and negative experiences with the different brands of tension rods you've used.

Here are some brands that seem to be common: OEM $115.00 each at IOS

NISMO 300zx Tension Rod Bushings $75.00 (pair) (http://www.courtesyparts.com/ has them for $29.00 each)

SPL PRO v2 tension rod set (pair) Z32 $199

INFINITI Q45 FRONT LOWER TENSION ROD $249.99 ($229.99 on eBay) http://www.delubozparts.com/Pr...=1855





TEIN $298.00 ($200.00 at IOS with Free Shipping)



Q45 90-96 FRONT LOWER TENSION ROD RE+LH SET (ADJUSTABLE) $119.99

[qship96]

I may be wrong, but my feeling is unless you have a bent front end and need the adjustability afforded by adjustable rods provided by the aftermarket, the factory part is sufficient and long lasting{my current ones have 93,000 miles on them, and are still tight, leak free and intact} and no cracks in the rubber bushings whatsoever
Modified by qship96 at 10:11 PM 6/14/2009

[BLACKonBLACK98]

adjustables offer caster adjustment which may or may not be important to you, but either way it's something that oem can not do.

i have the spl and can't really imagine anything else being better, as long as you are willing to sacrific ride quality.

i personally would not use ebay grade parts... for anything... ever.

[qship96]

Sacrificing ride quality in a luxury sedan makes about as much sense as sacrificing power in a sportscar!!!!

[BLACKonBLACK98]

and you're the authority on what? i must have missed your introduction.

[qship96]

I am an authority on my own opinion, and it does not surprise me you missed anything!

[BLACKonBLACK98]

apparently you missed the title. "experiences" being the key word. either that or you just ignored it and jumped at the oppurtunity to share your guesses and opinions.

i, on the other hand, shared facts and personal experience.

you must have me confused with some of these other guys. my comprehension is above average and my experience extends beyond the fsm and oem catalog.

you might not like what i do, i could care less, but you will not find a shortcut on my car. period.

[unknown007]

Don't judge all ebay products.My tension rods are Ebay no brand and they work exactly the same.Sorry to disappoint you on that but nothings different except that there is no brand.If the product was done poorly then I'd agree but mine was done like any other.The only difference maybe the style it was designed or maybe the material used but mine was fair.

Adjustable ones are good if you don't mind loss of ride quality like BlackonBlack said.

[maxnix]

I was just wondering if you guys can share your postive and negative experiences with the different brands of tension rods you've used.

Here are some brands that seem to be common: NISMO 300zx Tension Rod Bushings $75.00 (pair) (http://www.courtesyparts.com/ has them for $29.00 each)

INFINITI Q45 FRONT LOWER TENSION ROD $249.99 ($229.99 on eBay) http://www.delubozparts.com/Pr...=1855

Joe sells the NISMO polyurethane bushings for $40-$45 per pair, I think. He also gets a lot of non-OEM stuff and sells it at great prices, like M1 filters and Volk wheels. I have the Nismo on one G50, and they are a little harsher on initial impact.

Deluboz did sell a very similar design by HardRace. They seem to have a little better insulated mount than the SPL, but I haven't installed mine yet.

Adjustability is necessary if lowered, or if SPL upper links used, which will allow adjustment of the camber angle. The adjustable front tension rods also allow caster to be adjusted, and no G50 front end I have ever seen aligned is nearly exact side to side.

Never have seen any OEM silicone filled tension rod bushings go over 40K without cracks galore, which is when they should be replaced, not when they fail.

One member did experience catastrophic failure on a no name brand sold on eBay (in the previous posts for those who care about your car and the lives of your friends and family), but up until that moment they worked great! You know what your life is worth even if you underestimate the worth of the lives of others you may injure. I guarantee you will have no recourse to the manufacturer of such junk.

[lino]

Joe sells the NISMO polyurethane bushings for $40-$45 per pair, I think. I have the Nismo on one G50, and they are a little harsher on initial impact.

Never have seen any OEM silicone filled tension rod bushings go over 40K without cracks galore, which is when they should be replaced, not when they fail.

So if you had to choose again would you buy oem and replace every 40k for example, or go with the NISMO bushings, if you didn't want to increase the harshness?

[maxnix]

Depends if you want comfort or durability. Not much sacrifice in comfort for NISMO bushing's durability.

Read Q45tech's posts on suspension tuning and Wes's set up. Less compliant than OEM bushings may deflect suspension mounting points sooner. A lot depends on condition of the highways one travels, salt, heat, cold, rain, ozone......

[Rex]

Unless you can't get your front end "in spec" and need the adjustment, there's little reason to pay extra for adjustability. Getting upgraded bushings pressed into your existing rods is a great idea ... assuming your rods are in good shape.

I think I have a set on brand new/never used OEM that I'd let go for a fair price if you're interested.

[lino]

Unless you can't get your front end "in spec" and need the adjustment, there's little reason to pay extra for adjustability. Getting upgraded bushings pressed into your existing rods is a great idea ... assuming your rods are in good shape.

I think I have a set on brand new/never used OEM that I'd let go for a fair price if you're interested.

Mine were replaced by the previous owner at 137k. I'm at 169k now. I haven't checked mine lately to see how they're holding up. My car is an Active model and the tension rods for the Active model are a different part number. Thank you for the offer though