little advice on struts...

[paranoidjack]

Guys my Q has about 85k on it now, and I think it's time to replace the struts. They feel fine but I'll own this car until 200k so I may as well do it now...10k in the last 6 weeks! Joe says people replace shocks too late with q's typically, and engine mounts start to wear prematurely. He says only when the mounts are worn too far do people actually FEEL it and change the struts, only to have to replace engine mounts as well. I am seeking to eliminate this.

Anyway, I have an anniversary edition so new OEM sport/regular shocks are like $380 each, as opposed to a normal y33 q with OEM regular shocks for only 130 each.

1) I typically drive on sport mode, regular feels too bouncy. I wonder if this is because they are old, or if the q is just naturally floaty.2) If I put in regular shocks, is there going to be a CEL or anything since it is supposed to have adjustable shocks?3) If I do decide to go regular OEM, it's probably worth my while to get some aftermarket shocks then, right?

Thanks for the input.

[Q45tech]

I grew up [driving] when shocks lasted 24,000 miles MAXIMUM [60-70-80's]..........so a 60,000 mile shock life to me is unbelievable!

Engineers have been able to keep pace with the warranty but just............you can feel brand new shocks get progressively weaker at the half life point, if you are sensitive.

[Falkdesigns]

And how exactly does that help with his questions? I mean, when I grew up, everyone rode their bikes to school and your first car was an old Beetle.

1) they are definitely old. General consensus is replace them every 60k.

2) should have no effect on CEL as it's not the motor.

3) I would say it's worth your while to go aftermarket, but you'll have to wait a good bit to get them.

[elwesso]

IM sure somehow you cna rig it up so that the computer doesnt throw fits... short it out or put a resistor or something, these computers may seem smart but theyre easy to fool!

I would agree with falk though, it may be better to get aftermarket, except then if you have to replace one (IE blowout) then youll kinda be SOL... For G50 guys its a no brainer, kind of a shame those KYB shocks for the Y33 are so hard to get because they sound really nice......

BTW the POINT of Techs post that 85k is still technically way overdue.. MOREOVER its 4 years/60k..... SO if the shocks have been replaced at the dealer (have you checked this????) anytime after 2002 you should be in the clear..... Even if only the rear shocks were replaced you should be fine, since the fronts outlast the rears 2:1 or so...

If I was going to get a set of shocks that took months to get, id probably look into getting 2 sets, "just in case"..... probably not a very good chance of failure, but at least youd have another set ready!!!

[Falkdesigns]

BTW the POINT of Techs post that 85k is still technically way overdue..

If you honestly managed to decipher that from his post, you sir are a mind reader

...If I was going to get a set of shocks that took months to get, id probably look into getting 2 sets, "just in case".....

I think that would be an excellent idea, in a worst case, if you never used them, you could easily re-sell them.

[elwesso]

If you honestly managed to decipher that from his post, you sir are a mind reader

Years of experience..... Miss Cleo, here I come!!!

[bullittandy]

I recently replaced everything but the control arms in the fron end of my 97 (strut inserts, new spring seats/mounts, end links, sway bar bushings and tension rods). I have to say that I was both very happy and dissappointed afterwards. Why? I was dissappointed that an entirely new suspension made little to no discernable difference in ride quality or handling. I was happy that my car with 213,xxx!!! miles on the orginal suspension (I think, no receipts, looked original) lasted so long. This is becoming a habit with this car, I keep making all kinds of upgrades/maintainence and I can't tell the differnence!I think that if you like the original suspension then you'd be best served by replacing what you have. Aftermarket shocks appear to have a strong following but you never can be certain that your taste is just like theirs. Before I dropped $600 on aftermarket or $1200 for two sets I'd find a way to drive a car with them. Or like Falk said about his car riding like an M5, ride in a car that has a similar experience. Unless I've been specifically dissappointed in a particular quality of a car, I've rarely been able to improve upon it by simply making something different. A great example of this has been stock stereo's. Some people are dissatisfied with the stock Bose system but it sounds way better than the $900 that I invested in my Mustang for an aftermarket system (thoroughly researched).

[Q45tech]

I can't tell the differnence

And what kind of precision test equipment are you not using to measure the difference.

Since suspension from best to worst can only affect the numbers by 5% on skidpad or track time...............don't know what you expect.

Vehicle weight on the tires and tires themselves are 90% of what's possible.

Understeer. oversteer, neutral steer is just the position of the steering wheel.

Struts are there to just SLOW DOWN the operation [cycling] of the springs and help maintain tire road traction..........nothing else.

To focus on improved handling one must almost totally disregard RIDE COMFORT ASPECTS!

Tell us what numbers [in steering wheel angle, G etc.] you are trying to achieve and we'll tell you how.

[bullittandy]

I can't tell the differnence

1.And what kind of precision test equipment are you not using to measure the difference.

2. Since suspension from best to worst can only affect the numbers by 5% on skidpad or track time...............don't know what you expect.

3.Vehicle weight on the tires and tires themselves are 90% of what's possible.

4.Understeer. oversteer, neutral steer is just the position of the steering wheel.

5.Struts are there to just SLOW DOWN the operation [cycling] of the springs and help maintain tire road traction..........nothing else.

6.To focus on improved handling one must almost totally disregard RIDE COMFORT ASPECTS!

7.Tell us what numbers [in steering wheel angle, G etc.] you are trying to achieve and we'll tell you how.

1. I was using my brain to analyze the sensory data before and after the suspension swap. (Don't worry I understnd both the placebo effect and the expectancy bias.)2. I expected a more controlled ride with less body roll. 3. That makes sense4. That also makes sense5. That also makes sense6. BMW somehow avoids this compromise I've read.7. No numbers, just subjective opinion like he asked.

[elwesso]

You can have a good ride and a good handling car, BUT YOU MUST DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT MORE. If you want a good ride, you wont get any better than stock, BUT if you better handling, you have to assume that your ride is going to decrease in quality... main thing is if you keep the stock bushings (or as much as possible) you wont be terribly harsh!!! Theres a difference between harshness and firmness... You can have a pretty firm car but it still wont seem back because its not harsh, mainly due to rubber bushing design!

BOTTOM line is with the stock suspension on a macpherson setup like the Y33 without adjustable suspension, you wont have a very controlled handling experience with minimal body roll.. Its not going to happen without aftermarket shocks AND springs.. Its possible on the G50s to a certain degree with brand new tokicos and stock springs, but theres still quite a bit of body roll, but its faily controlled.

[bullittandy]

I'm only referring to the improvements made by replacing WORN suspension components with new OEM. Not OEM versus aftermarket. I expected that my 213,xxx mile original suspension would not have felt nearly identical (subjectively) to an all new replacement. That's a reasonable assumption, right?

[Rex]

I'm only referring to the improvements made by replacing WORN suspension components with new OEM. Not OEM versus aftermarket. I expected that my 213,xxx mile original suspension would not have felt nearly identical (subjectively) to an all new replacement. That's a reasonable assumption, right?

I think that's a reasonable assumption and would lead me to believe the suspension parts you replaced weren't the originals. I can tell you without a doubt there's significant difference in the ride quality between my 94 (stock, old suspension parts - 17" wheels/tires) and my 95 (Eibachs, Blues, etc - "newer" parts - 18" wheels/tires). The 95 is MUCH smoother and more comfortable.

How many of those 213k have you put on the car?

[paranoidjack]

I guess I may have come across incorrectly...

let me reiterate.

My top priority is maintainig the REST of the car's components.

In terms of ride quality, I am 100% satisfied with how the car rides now. I don't believe I need to go aftermarket (I've just become one of those OEM kind of guys since I bought this great vehicle).

I'm not sure if my shocks have been replaced. They very well may have been...hmm call an infiniti dealer and give them the VIN?

I guess the first step is to see if they've been replaced (good call, I was just assuming that they weren't).

Here's a more legitimate question. The regular Q shocks, non adjustable...would these most closely resemble "normal" mode in my Q or "sport?" If "sport" is the answer, that is what I use 90% of the time and I had better get the more $$$ ones.

Thanks for all the input guys, as always.

[Q_SHIP]

Here's a more legitimate question. The regular Q shocks, non adjustable...would these most closely resemble "normal" mode in my Q or "sport?" If "sport" is the answer, that is what I use 90% of the time and I had better get the more $$$ ones.

Thanks for all the input guys, as always.

Answer, yes. I have had mine disconnected when I did my teins. (I forgot to reconnect after the job) I had no CEL. This is what I plan to do in the near future. I just can't justify spending the money on the T adjustable struts when I never use the option since lowering the car.

[bullittandy]

I think that's a reasonable assumption and would lead me to believe the suspension parts you replaced weren't the originals. I can tell you without a doubt there's significant difference in the ride quality between my 94 (stock, old suspension parts - 17" wheels/tires) and my 95 (Eibachs, Blues, etc - "newer" parts - 18" wheels/tires). The 95 is MUCH smoother and more comfortable.

How many of those 213k have you put on the car?

I bought it at 194,000. They haven't been replaced by an infiniti dealer according to the history. The boots were completely disintegrated and they were the orginal style strut (not inserts) and the inside of the housing was stained from hydralic fluid.

I really think this car is the modern Japanese equivalent of Stephen King's "Christine." It has a minor "hum" in the front end but nothing else is wrong with it. On top of that, the previous owner (38,000-194,000 miles) didn't take meticulous care of it- 7000 mile oil changes and when I went to look at it his 4-year old was standing on the hood "washing" the windshield!!

[maxnix]

If I had an AE or late t, I would use the OEM shocks and bite the bullet.

Why decontent the car? If you are changing the springs, that is another issue.

[paranoidjack]

that's the way I'm leaning. What if I try and sell the car...my AE status is completely rogered w/ non adjustable struts.