Just got the Q back!!!

[elwesso]

Well....... After 2 dredgerous days of not having the dearly beloved, I got her back right after school today.......

Here's what I had done

new tockicos all aroundNew sway bar bushingsnew upper linksNew tension rod bushingsnew steering dust bootsnew fuel filteralignmentPS fluid flush (I had air in the system)

I spent 1000 on all of that stuff, labor included (I decided to let the professionals handle this one), and I must say, it is worth every penny...... I have only driven it about 10 miles, but I can tell just by driving on smooth roads...... My cheeks are gonna be sour from all that grinning!!!

Anyway, it rides like a luxuary car, and I dare say it handles better than my parents GTP..... No joke, I can throw the Q around more so than the GTP..... Its great!!!

Suck it up, and do it!! Youll be glad you did!!!

[DAEDALUS]

Can't help but to say "I told you so!"

I'd say if you replaced everything rubber in all the shocks, and did the sway bars too, you'd be looking at around $300 for parts, plus the struts themselves. Probably more than you anticipated, but I did them all at once and the ride is unbelievable.

$1000 including labor for all that is pretty darn decent I think.

[greg_atlanta]

I had the same feeling doing rear shocks only and sway bar (at different times).

Now get some really sticky tires!!!

[elwesso]

Yeah......

I thought the best part was......

I didnt actually pick up the car, my dad did for me on his lunch break, since its only a few miles from his office.........

Well anyway.... They said that most of the stuff other than the shocks didnt need it...... EEEEEEH wrong.....

They said that the boots I replaced didnt need it (all of them were ripped), the steering ones were fine (passenger side one, when turned all the way left, was only held together by a thread), and all the bushings were fine (I saw black, gooey stuff coming out of the tension rods).....

They went on....... Yeah, he's got a really nice car, but...... You need to get him off that internet, their just trying to sell you stuff!!!

[elwesso]

We got a really good deal, only 130 for the shocks to be installed.......

Plus, they installed my fuel filter free, and gave me a new radiator cap free........ Woohoo!!!

[elwesso]

I just got some new tires not too long ago......

Ill get some really good ones and some nice rims next time around.......

[EWT]

Anyway, it rides like a luxuary car, and I dare say it handles better than my parents GTP..... No joke, I can throw the Q around more so than the GTP..... Its great!!!

Dare, dare. A first generation Q45 defintely handles better than any big GM FWD platform(actually make that just about anything GM makes with the exception of the Corvette and maybe CTS). It handles very well for a big 4,000 lbs. car.

[Q45tech]

If you keep the suspension and tires as designed and new.Generally the problem is finding tires that are anywhere close to the oem ones...[which would be near a Michelin Pilot Sport but SOFTER].......as nothing is available in the 215/65/15 size and few in 225/60/15 size.Tires are 90% of handling even with bad shocks and bushings.

[AZhitman]

That's OK Dennis. Wes doesn't know it yet, but he's gonna buy some 2nd-gen 20-slot 16's and slap some sticky 245/50's on her.

He'll be so busy driving and grinning he won't have time to TRIPLE POST.

Congrats, Wes - Enjoy!

[elwesso]

Haha..... You speak the truth!!

Im not sure about the 20 spoke, but definitely some 16s......

Id be curious to see what its like to have good shocks and bad suspension rubber........

[Jeff Williams]

Congrats on the repairs and upgrades.

My list of repairs is similar.

I do not recall if you have one, but a Front Strut Tower Brace (FSTB) is a great investment.

I bought a $12,00 one off of eBay, for a 2000 Maxima, and did 30 minutes of modifications, and it changed the way my car cornered, and steered. I can change lanes a lot quicker. I bet if I had the Tokiko Blue's all the way around, my car would be awesome.

I think AZHitman bougth the same "cheap" bar, and has the "blues".

I have some pics of the bar on my wife's I30t (same as the Maxima), and the modifications I had to do, to make it fit the Q.

[elwesso]

Ill invest in that sometime...... But I cant see how much more improvement it could do..... Heck, Id give you $20 for yours, so all I gotta do is bolt it on.......

Handling is already good...... But it does need a rear sway bar and strut bar....... WIth those........ :pimp

BTW...... Recieved your "gift" today, Jeff...... It works great!! Thanks for helpling a NICO brother!!!

[Repo Man]

Anyway, it rides like a luxuary car, and I dare say it handles better than my parents GTP..... No joke, I can throw the Q around more so than the GTP..... Its great!!!

Suck it up, and do it!! Youll be glad you did!!!

Will it beat the GTP in a drag race? Where did you have your work done? Hopefully I'll get to see your car pretty soon!

[elwesso]

I dont know if it will or not...... The GTP is so rough, it feels like it might....... The Q is so smooth you dont really realize how fast it is........ I think if I had a clean plenum and new knock sensors Id wipe it...... Once it gets past 80 it runs out of gumption....... Which is right where the Q shines!!!

I got my work done at Nuces tire and auto here in Anderson...... 38th and main........

Check out the thread..... i made a boo-boo.......

[Jeff Williams]

Glad you got it.

Check out this:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33591

[elwesso]

Is that the one you have..... Because I thought the one you have has complete circles.......!

[Jeff Williams]

Yes, the one I have is a complete circle, and it came with 3 holes. The Q has only 2 bolts holding it, where the Maxima and I30 have 3. I was able to use one of the existing holes, but had to drill a second hole, and shorten the horns, since the Q's struts are closer together than the Maxima.

Not sure about whether the half circle brace would be stong enough, or not. Azhitman had some stronger braces built for his.

It looks like the half brace would still cover both the bolt holes of the Q.

For $1, you could try it, and toss it of it doesn't fit.

[elwesso]

Maybe....... Not right now, though.......

Heck, Id give you $20 for yours so I dont have to do anything!!!!