"Loose" strut

[oldmako]

I noticed some road noise and while snooping around found some slop in the upper mounting of my pax side front strut. It is evident by direct observation while pushing the car up and down, and manifests itself on the road by a slight shimmy in the wheel accompanied by clunking. If the car is turning to the right it goes away completely due to loading. If the car is slightly turned left (as in a gradual lane change at highway speed) it really lets you know.

The mounting bolts all appear secure, the movement is noticed while peering through the strut hole in and looking at the strut.

I have a service appointment for friday (trans fluid flush/exchange) and I figure to have them take a look while they have it.

I downloaded the FSM last week and am about to take a look at the particulars. I am guessing that this is something I can tackle myself and I'm just shopping for suggestions and opins. Thanks.

ps The car has 120K and according to the dealer, the struts were "re-done" at 90K....so the rubber bits are old...but not ancient.

Modified by oldmako at 3:39 PM 12/19/2007
Modified by oldmako at 3:40 PM 12/19/2007

[AlabamaDan]

Maybe your upper links are really bad?

[maxnix]

Maybe your upper links are really bad?

No upper links on a MacPherson strut.

Probably the strut bearing. Have they ever been chenged? If not, I am certain they are due.

[oldmako]

I'm not sure if they've been replaced or not, I'll find out on Friday.

I've been looking at the FSM and reading as much on the topic I can find here on the forum. It really doesn't look like all that much work to remove the strut and replace the perishables. Or am I missing something? Other than renting a spring compressor is there anything particularly difficult about the job? I do not have access to a vise or the clamp depicted in the FSM.

I have done plenty of engine, clutch, brake etc. maint to all my vehicles and boats for 20 yrs, but oddly enough I have never had a strut off and apart. Typically production shops do this work so cheap it doesn't make sense for me to do it. But from some of the things I have read lead me to believe that my Infiniti dealer is going to want a thousand bucks or so to fix this (to replace the struts and rubber on both sides). It looks to me like about 2-3 hours per side and not too terribly difficult.

I bought the car cheap and I am willing to spending some cash to get it in excellent mechanical condition, but there are a limited number of dollars floating around. If this is a DIY job I may just jump in and save the labor costs to apply to another job.

[AlabamaDan]

I know there's no upper link in the strut, smart @$$. I also know that a bad upper link (part of the suspension) makes a clunking sound as described when it's bad.

[AlabamaDan]

Oh, and replacing the struts is DIY. I've done it on two QX4s and when I get time I'm going to do my Q45.

[Q451990]

I know there's no upper link in the strut, smart @$$.

oldmako's Q is a '99. No upper links like the 90-96 due to the McPherson strut design vs. our shocks.

Heath

[AlabamaDan]

Ah, now I didn't no that. I stand corrected and apologize for my comment.

[maxnix]

Ah, now I didn't no that. I stand corrected and apologize for my comment.

Sorry, I thought it was clear that a MacPherson strut (or called a Chapman strut when used in the rear) has no upper locating link other than the top of the shock tower itself.

The G50/Z32 multilink front end design is unique.

Oldmako should notice that separation of the spring mount from the lower link/hub assembly is neigh impossible without a press.

[oldmako]

Thanks for the replies.

I figured that I could just rent a spring tool from advance.

With only 30K on these struts, I am not too eager to replace them, and I may just try and replace the broken mount, bushing, or bearing. The car feels great in right turns, and overall handles well. It is odd that it will behave just fine for miles and then act up for a bit and go away again. I would prefer to wait a bit to do the entire suspension package so I can become more knowledgeable about my options. The dealer just mentions 850 in parts and I cringe.

Plus, it will give me a bit more time to determine what else the car may or may not need. It goes in for diagnostics tomorrow and if they are willing to replace just the broken mount chances are I'll let them do it. It's winter here and I do not have a garage.