Just Got Her Back - Do I need an alignment?

[slybydesignq45t]

I just picked up my ride. I can't say how happy I am even with knowing there will be more work to be done in the future. One of the things I noticed is the steering wheel is way off. The car still drives smooth and doesn't pull. I am wondering if this was because of the initial break down of the power steering hose. Mind you, the wheels hand a mind of their own when I realized something was wrong.

I wonder if I need to manually adjust the steering wheel or do I need a full alignment. If so since its the Q45T do I need a 4 wheel alignment of just the 2 wheel? Ok thanks in advance for your reply.

[qship96]

4 wheel alignment on every Q45. Might as well get it checked and adjusted as needed while they streighten the steering wheel, should cost less than $100

[maxnix]

And right away too!

I bet they undid at least one of the steering links.

[slybydesignq45t]

^^^^^^Please do tell^^^^^^^^

Steering Link?

They are gonna do an alignment tomorrow. I doubt they are going to charge me seeing as it was straight when they got it, and they are super cool with me. Should I ask them about the links. They are the type that don't mind being asked something specific. They changed the high pressure hose in the power steering, to do so would you need to unlink a link?

[maxnix]

I am referring to the end rods of the rack. You can mark them and put them right back to where you marked them and the alignment will be changed.

[slybydesignq45t]

Cool, I took the car back to my mechanic. They said they should be done by launch time today. I actually think and am pretty sure the alignment went off during the tow. Seeing as when the hose went out there was no steering so I guess pulling it up on the flat bed threw it off.

I checked with a totally different mechanic and he said changing the hose would have not thrown the alignment off, so I may have to pay for this, bringing my total bill to about $650. Like I said, I figure over the course of this year I may spend up to $3,000 in general repairs so I'm $650 into that mark so far.

[maxnix]

No, they shouldn't have, but neither do I think winching it onto the flatbed should have misalgned your steering wheel.

[slybydesignq45t]

You really know how to scare people .

I guess I just have to wait and see what my mechanic says. But oh well, everything happens for a reason. I should have it back in a couple of hours. I am sure after they do the alignment I should be good. I took the car for a spin last night and got up to 85 mph just to see if I get steering vibration and the car performed fine. I didn't want to push it seeing as I have never taken this car pass 85 and really don't want to.

The mechanic said something about doing the alignment old school . He said he was gonna have a special guy of his look at it.

[maxnix]

The mechanic said something about doing the alignment old school . He said he was gonna have a special guy of his look at it.

No, unless he means an experienced technician. In Hunter laser aligners we trust. Take your FSM printout on HICAS alignment with you.

[slybydesignq45t]

Thanks Max. Forums make car ownerships easier and posters like you make it worth hitting the refresh button.

[maxnix]

Well, the HICAS hydraulic four wheel steering is not something even the most experienced alignment specialist will see very often so good to have a reference at hand.

Presume you know about http://www.jerrytucker.net ? Excellent service source (1 of 3 recommended on this board) and no guessing on G50.

[slybydesignq45t]

Your right, I did call him and had scheduled some work to be done, then my hose went out. When I am ready to do serious stuff I will be heading straight to him. Right now I have so much on my plate its gonna take time before I get to the guts of the car.

[slybydesignq45t]

My mechanic called me and said the entire front suspension is gonna need work. I asked him if the car was in good shape he said for a 14 year old car with 166,000 miles its in good shape, but he said that I should expect to spend allot of money on normal wear and tear. Speaking of tears . He said its gonna be about $2,000 of front work. He isn't charging me for the alignment which is cool. The good news is he said nothing had to be done now, but to expect it to be done in the near future.

[qship96]

"Mechanic says suspension needs alot of work, about $2000 worth, but not immediatly"

I dont understand the logic of that statement.....parts are either in good,near new condition and can continue to function as designed for a longer period of time, or they are worn and should be replaced,not in the future but now,as they are worn

[slybydesignq45t]

I just got the car back and I can understand what he means. He said he didn't take the whole front end apart to see whats really going on under there. He just told me to expect to have it done soon. I guess he meant not today but get it done in the next couple of weeks at the latest. Its funny because I drove the car back to my job here and it does not at all feel the same. Its very loose in the front all most as if the steering is gonna go out at any moment. At first he fixed the high pressure hose which is cool, but ever since that happened it doesn't feel as tight as it did when I originally purchased it. I now need to concern myself with the front suspension and will avoid heavy highway driving. I guess I'm gonna be busing it on the week days till this gets fixed. Unfortunately I don't have $2,000 to dedicate to the car right now, but maybe next month I can do this. I am gonna jack the car up myself tomorrow and look closely under there. Thanks guys.

[qship96]

I would take it to a Infiniti specialist{dealer or Jerry Tucker}, pay the 1 hour labor charge to get a professional opinion on the status of the suspension{front and rear}

Have them itemize a list of all components/their condition/cost for repair...then LEAVE, post results here, and then tackle the items as needed using Joe for parts to save a chunk of $$$$$$$

[maxnix]

Jerry has let others bring in parts from Joe.

If the ball joints and lower links are not bad, then think of shocks and upperlinks and tension rod bushings. Also all tother bushings including anti-sway bars, links and steering rack bushings, rubber gaiters with bump stops, front and rear. Even in the People's Republic of Kalifornia with parts from Joe shouldn't cost you over $1,600 for everything.

Do what Qship96 said and take it to Jerry for a once over. Might be more your non-Infiniti guy has missed or is afraid to tell you. Have you exchanged your PS HICAS fluid? You must unless you know it is less than 2.5 years old and is the correct fluid.