How do you know when your links are bad?

[louiegz]

Next week, I'm going to the dealer for service. I'm having two PS hoses, tie rod boots, and belts replaced, plus an oil change. The last time I was there, they were telling me that my links were bad. I don't see it. I had them changed them a few years ago when my front end was squeaking over bumps and it’s not squeaking now. I had all my suspension stuff done in May, Tokico, sway bushings, rear sway kit, and the strut mounts. The suspension feels fine. The one complaint I have is that the Q seems to roll a little more in left turns than in right. Is the dealer yanking my chain, or is it time for new links.

[911/Q45]

How many miles since they were replaced?

[PalmerWMD]

A few years ago?

Likely bad.

Fred..

[szh]

I used to replace upper links on my Q45's at about a 25k to 35k mile interval ...

Z

[Jesda]

Is there a reason to replace them other than the embarassment of squeaking around the neighborhood? I dont mind, and could deal with it for life.

[elwesso]

Other than the alignment being way off.. Not really!

if your happy with decreased tire life, its OK.. just remember the easy components that wear out, when theyre worn and used worn for a long time, cause wear on the more expensive parts!

[PalmerWMD]

And also handlig/control are better with new links

Fred..

[JT_MONEY_2004]

What does this service typically cost at an independant shop?How many are there?

[911/Q45]

It better be cheap, as it's a perfect DIY job. I did mine in 30 minutes with simple hand tools.

[elwesso]

I agree, its VERY simple... You might need to have a breaker bar on hand, as mine were on VERY tight... I think when I did mine they charged an hour, but it takes much less time than that... IT takes longer I think to mount and dismount the wheels than to replace thelinks.....

2 bolts, pull new one out, put new one in, 2 bolts...

[louiegz]

How many miles since they were replaced?

Looking back at my service records, my links were replaced by the dealer on 3/13/02. I had 50,483 on the odo. My odo doesn't work all the time now, but, by my calculations, I have over 75,000 miles on the car now. I'm sorry, if they're bad, 2 1/2 years is a crappy lifspan. The originals lasted over 7 years and 50,483 miles. All I know is that they dont sqeak now and I don't feel that there's anything wrong with them.

What does this service typically cost at an independant shop?How many are there?

I don't know what the indy charges, but this is what the dealer charges. Mind you, this was done in my pre Nico days, so I didn't know how simple of a job it was. Parts were $125.26 each and they billed me for 4 hours labor, $306.00. I know, I got riped off.

[Mark86T]

What about using solid/adjustable upper links that should never wear out? The fronts have greaseable ball bearings. These are Midori upper links for Z32s. I am putting them on my 96 Q. I already put the solid/adjustable tension rods from my Z32TT. Cheaper & better than OEM silicone ones. I also have Stillen soild/adjustable upper rear links that I will put in with the fronts. The fronts go for about $350/pair. The rears are less. The tension rods are about $150/pair.

[louiegz]

Mark, are those you have in the picture the Stillen ones?

I was reading a post on someone that didn't like the Stillen units.

http://nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=86146

For about 2 years I've been pushing the Stillen adjustable upper links on this forum to solve the lack of camber adjustment and longevity in stock G50 upper links. After trying every other option, I finally cured the "grunt" in my front suspension by replacing the Stillen units with factory parts. Evidently the ability to grease them through Zerk fittings isn't enough to avoid the noise you get from a urethane bushing. Even more embarassing is the fact that the Stillen units, at full extension, are the same length as the factory part. I guess the 300ZX that they are made for uses a shorter link than the Q45. If anyone bought these very expensive (and ultimately useless) parts on my recommendation, I'm very sorry.

I don't know from personally. I haven't used them.

[natsoundup]

i would replace them when the squeaked or about 60k miles into them....

[Mark86T]

The fro

Mark, are those you have in the picture the Stillen ones?

I was reading a post on someone that didn't like the Stillen units.

http://nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=86146

I don't know from personally. I haven't used them.

The fronts (purple) are Midori. I'm told they are the best & most sought after for use with the Z32TTs. They have ballbearings & are greaseable if I'm not mistaken. They have been copied by many companies who advertise "same as the Midoris." The rears are the Stillens.