Help me set up a schedule

[FDR Dippin]

What up guys, help me figure out how to rehab my suspension without splurging on everything all at once. My ride is a little "rattly" and squeeky over bumps and coming to a stop. I'll need to do this over several months.Assume I have no history of suspension work except for what I've done which is Upper links and Tie Rod Ends. The only thing any mechanic has mentioned to me is that driver's side ball joint has a very small amount of play.

Please tell me what needs to be done together? Or should i just start hurding parts and do everything in like 6mos or so?

And for extra credit, please list which 5 you'd do first if you didn't know the last time it was done.1. CD Head unit2. New Battery3. Clean Ground Points4. Spark Plugs5. Professionally Clean Injectors (use BG quick clean now)6. Fuel Pump and Controller 7. Replace leaky Front Passenger Calliper8. Clean Plenum9. Fan Clutch and Blade

If nothing else, tell me about the suspension work please oh great NICO, I humbly request you speak now...

[FDR Dippin]

let me say this, I would like to maintain OEM height and Wheels are 18" W/ 245/45 tires, if that matters. Thanks

[maxnix]

What up guys, help me figure out how to rehab my suspension without splurging on everything all at once.

It will cost you much more to do repeated labor than to do all at once.

How old is your car? Mileage? How is it driven?

[bullittandy]

What up guys, help me figure out how to rehab my suspension without splurging on everything all at once. My ride is a little "rattly" and squeeky over bumps and coming to a stop. I'll need to do this over several months.Assume I have no history of suspension work except for what I've done which is Upper links and Tie Rod Ends. The only thing any mechanic has mentioned to me is that driver's side ball joint has a very small amount of play.

Please tell me what needs to be done together? Or should i just start hurding parts and do everything in like 6mos or so?

And for extra credit, please list which 5 you'd do first if you didn't know the last time it was done.1. CD Head unit2. New Battery3. Clean Ground Points4. Spark Plugs5. Professionally Clean Injectors (use BG quick clean now)6. Fuel Pump and Controller 7. Replace leaky Front Passenger Calliper8. Clean Plenum9. Fan Clutch and Blade

If nothing else, tell me about the suspension work please oh great NICO, I humbly request you speak now...

Is FDR dippin a reference to Warm Springs?Are upper links different than sway bar links on your year model?

If so, I think you could replace sway bar links and sway bar bushings without digging into the rest of the suspension.If you replace struts then you'd have to also replace all the rubber connected as well as strut mounts.

extra creditIn order-7-6-4-5-1

[Rex]

What up guys, help me figure out how to rehab my suspension without splurging on everything all at once. My ride is a little "rattly" and squeeky over bumps and coming to a stop. I'll need to do this over several months.Assume I have no history of suspension work except for what I've done which is Upper links and Tie Rod Ends. The only thing any mechanic has mentioned to me is that driver's side ball joint has a very small amount of play.

Please tell me what needs to be done together? Or should i just start hurding parts and do everything in like 6mos or so?

And for extra credit, please list which 5 you'd do first if you didn't know the last time it was done.1. CD Head unit2. New Battery3. Clean Ground Points4. Spark Plugs5. Professionally Clean Injectors (use BG quick clean now)6. Fuel Pump and Controller 7. Replace leaky Front Passenger Calliper8. Clean Plenum9. Fan Clutch and Blade

If nothing else, tell me about the suspension work please oh great NICO, I humbly request you speak now...

First, I have a full set of Tokico Blues & Eibach lowering springs with all fresh boots/rubber components for sale. The front lower mounting point is diff bewteen 90-93 & 94-96, so I'm looking to seel these versus just swapping the front shocks. This would be a big help, as it's a simple remove/replace. I also have both some stock (new & slightly used) and aftermarket Tension Rods. So, if you're serious about re-habbing the suspension, let me know.

As for the extra credit7. Replace leaky Front Passenger Calliper6. Fuel Pump and Controller 2. New Battery (Early replacement can extend the life of your alternator)4. Spark Plugs5. Professionally Clean Injectors (use BG quick clean now)(Honorable mention) 8. Clean Plenum

And for the battery, Red Top Optima should be your only choice ... don't let them forget to give you the tray/stand that allows you to use your OEM bracket/tie down.

[FDR Dippin]

My car is a 90 Model. 92XXX on ODO but that's been intermittant in the past and then recently again so the exact mileage is suspect, however, I would suspect somewhere between 92K and 100K. I've owned since 71K and its just my daily driver 4miles each way. No hard driving except for the occassional burst on the Hwy or Onramp, not much stop and go driving here.

Why is Optima the only battery i should choose Rex, What's wrong with a Walmart everlast? I have never paid more than $70 for a battery and i'm uncertain the Optima is going to be that more beneficial to me.Speak of the devil, I think my battery is weak now, had 1 weak start this morning and two no starts after just turning car off (gas station). Snug connection and no corrosion. Will be buying a new battery tomorrow.

[louiegz]

Why is Optima the only battery i should choose Rex, What's wrong with a Walmart everlast? I have never paid more than $70 for a battery and i'm uncertain the Optima is going to be that more beneficial to me.

Not that you cant use the Everlast. I think the Optima should probably last longer. Better to spend $110 once than $70 twice. I have the Optima in my Q because I know it's the best and I didn't want to have to worry about it for a while. I've already gone through 3 regular batteries in the 10 years. I'm hoping I can get 5 out of the Optima.

As far as your suspension work, I'd do everything at once. You figure every time you change something in your suspension, you'll have to have an alinement done at about $60-$80 each time. Get it done all at once and you'll spend it once.

And for extra credit, please list which 5 you'd do first if you didn't know the last time it was done.1. CD Head unit2. New Battery3. Clean Ground Points4. Spark Plugs5. Professionally Clean Injectors (use BG quick clean now)6. Fuel Pump and Controller 7. Replace leaky Front Passenger Calliper8. Clean Plenum9. Fan Clutch and Blade

As far as the other stuff that need to be done, I'd make sure the engine is running well before I'd spend money on the suspension stuff and do the calliper thing first because brakes are important. Then do the fuel pump so you don't mess up the fuel controller. The CD head unit should be the last thing on your list. I'v gotten by without one for 11 years, I'm sure you can wait until you get some of the other stuff done.

But the most important thing of all. You have a 1990, make sure the chain guides have been done. Very expensive job so if you haven't done that yet, you might want to think of unloading the Q on someone else and get rid of it. Just don't drive the car too much if the chain guides haven't been done and do a search on the guides so you know what I'm talking about. Good luck.

[Rex]

It's not the $110 once versus $70 twice, as far as I'm concerned it's the early demise of your alt that would be my issue. A cheaper battery will require more frequent recharges, thus wearing the alt out sooner. That's where it can cost alot of $$$.

[louiegz]

It's not the $110 once versus $70 twice, as far as I'm concerned it's the early demise of your alt that would be my issue. A cheaper battery will require more frequent recharges, thus wearing the alt out sooner. That's where it can cost alot of $$$.

Good point Rex. I didn't even think about that. I still have my original alternator. It wont have to work as hard in it's old age.

[FDR Dippin]

I just called around local Advance Auto, $148 with old battery trade-in, Local battery dealer $151Summit racing $129.88 but after the cost of getting to the store, might as well say $148 also. Where did you get yours for $110, or maybe the price was lower when you bought it?If not Optima, then what...no other batteries are good enough for the Q?Still haven't tried Autozone, but i'd predict similar price to Advance.

[qship96]

just get a factory battery from the Infiniti dealer and be done with it for 3 years- about 90$ last time I got mine.

[maxnix]

I just called around local Advance Auto, $148 with old battery trade-in, Local battery dealer $151Summit racing $129.88 but after the cost of getting to the store, might as well say $148 also. Where did you get yours for $110, or maybe the price was lower when you bought it?If not Optima, then what...no other batteries are good enough for the Q?Still haven't tried Autozone, but i'd predict similar price to Advance.

Optima Red Top:

$105 at Costco, $108 Sams's Club. There is nothing comparable.
Modified by maxnix at 10:59 PM 8/15/2006

[louiegz]

It might have been $120 something. I don't remember. I got it at Pep Boys last year. I think it's still worth it. Enough with the battery, are the chain guides done in your car. I don't mean for this to come out the wrong way, but if spending $120 on a battery is going to strain you, then you must rethink the car that your driving. I've gone to the dealer and dropped over $3k to have work done. Part of owning a Q, unless you do the work yourself.

[Q451990]

I recently replaced mine with a regular style one from Autozone... If you can live with the bright yellow top, it's the best deal I could find.

I think the cost was about $70. I did some research, and just about everyone's batteries (diehard, dealer, interstate, autozone, etc.) are made by Johnson Controls. The dealership's battery is a rebadged interstate according to my parts guy there...

The reason I didn't go with the Optima, was that since 1996 I have paid for only one battery - actually 1.5 as I let this one get out of the free replacement warranty and they pro-rated it. If I remember correctly the Optima warranty wasn't as good. With a two or three year warranty, they typically croak right before the warranty period is up...

Maybe a bad strategy for alternator life - but I can typically hear the first weak start, and I immediately replace them...

Heath

[FDR Dippin]

I decided to go with the Optima, and called SAMS to get a price. Well my bootleg local branch didn't carry it. So I bought the Walmart Everlast, and going Heath's route.

Lou the ladies must love your strongarmedness. The first repair I did was chain guides at T3 and had them do a once over check up.In the past 2yr 5 mos of ownership NICO has inspired me to do most work myself. I'm no mechanic but I refuse to pay dealer prices, but i want factory parts (most of the time ). 3K at the dealer...sheesh in another lifetime. I'm 26yrs old, making a moderate salary, newly married, young son, non-home owner and a Q. I constantly need to prioritize what money goes where.

How much height will i loose with Tokiko's and Eibachs?

[Jesda]

Everlast batteries are among the longest lasting and most dependable, but the reputation hasnt caught up to the name. Thats a good thing, because an Everlast will run you only $35-$40.

With any battery, charge it at home overnight before installing it. A lot of them dont come with a full charge, and the alternator cant keep up, resulting in a dead battery 2 days later (and you stranded).

[louiegz]

Lou the ladies must love your strongarmedness. The first repair I did was chain guides at T3 and had them do a once over check up.

Sorry. I didn't mean to be a pain in the arse. I saw you were a newbie and I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into. Good thing you have T3 by you. I would use them as much as you can afford to.

[maxnix]

How much height will i loose with Tokiko's and Eibachs?

An amount equal to the lost suspension travel. About .75" to 1.25" depending on whether you renew the rubber and spring mounts.

[Rex]

... How much height will I loose with Tokiko's and Eibachs?

As Brian (Maxnix ) said, ~1 inch, give or take based on a few things.

I have a full set for sale, with new rubber/boots, fully assmebled if you're interested .

[FDR Dippin]

Lou it's all good, my old profile JTMONEY had a couple hundred posts. But i like this Name better.

Rex as interested as I am I'd be wasting your time if i asked for a price right now. Thanks guys, Battery done, will buy PopPop's fan and clutch today, since temp gauge rise a bit when idling in sun for extended periods. Calliper and fuel pump will follow shortly. Then suspension whenever the hell. But will do all/most at once, keep Crappy bose head unit.

[maxnix]

keep Crappy bose head unit.

Source of crap in Bose system usually the amps on the speakers, not the head unit.

http://www.willmanselectronics.com/infiniti.htm

[FDR Dippin]

This time its probably the unit, I had the two Rears rebuilt by Bose, i still have the info if anyone needs it. And the front ones seem ok, In my case its a bad short in the volume knob and weak radio reception.

[Q45tech]

daily driver 4miles each way. No hard driving

A sure driving mode that leads to injector and oil problems.............not warming up enough to get condensed water out of oil, not long enough to get out of warm up mode so fuel consumption excessive and dilution in oil.

It would be interesting to view the intake valve stems........fluffy carbon/deposits arrigation. Need that daily weekly blow out the soot created in 1st 4 minutes.

I have a 10 mile 15 minute drive at 50 mph average first 2 miles take 5 minutes and I have problems if I forget to WOT along the way........gasoline.

[FDR Dippin]

I should have known that was coming Tech. So that occassional burst i refer to is to help get the gunk moving, sometimes i through it in a low gear all the way home.

The intake stems? is that the manifold? From what i've read, ONLY hand cleaning can work right? Need a member who's don't it before to help me one weekend, that would be awesome.

[yodawill2000]

Intake "VALVE" stems i believe.