moving forward.... want to make sure I dont miss anything!!

[MarshallQ45]

My 8 brand new Hitachi ignition coils are on the way and so are a new set of KYB SR specials! When I get the struts I will be installing them with the OEM springs that I still have in my garage. Should I plan to replace any other small part of the suspension while I am at it so it doesnt fail in a few months? I was thinking I should inspect and maybe replace the strut mounts..... anything else?

When the hitachi coils come I am going to replace my A/C idler pulley as it is making a horribly loud sound, also all my belts I will do at the same time. When I look to order the A/C idler pulley I can get the pulley or pulley with bearings, the infiniti tech at the dealership said my idler pulley is making the sound...needs to be replaced and the bearings are about to blow. It seemed like the pulley and bearings are one part? but their estimate was only to replace the idler pulley, maybe he meant bearings too and just didnt add it to the paperwork? Well when I grab the pulley I will assume I need the pulley w/ bearings but is there anything else I should replace while I am in there? MY valve cover gaskets are leaking a bit but I was going to leave that one for later as I am not losing much oil at all.

This is my plan:

-replace struts with SR specials and original springs (595.00)
-replace ignition coils and new plugs (550.00)
-replace idler pulley(105.00)
-replace all belts(50.00)
-4 new tires
-oil change
-brake fluid flush + rotors and pads I have sitting new
-transmission fluid flush
-power steering flush
-coolant flush

car has 116k.... I am thinking this will restore a lot of life back into the car, it is a lot to do all at once so things like the valve cover gaskets I will leave until later but is there anything crucial I am missing? something that shouldnt wait til later?

[MarshallQ45]

also the first shop I took the car to before the dealership told me my steering rack was binding internally and my power steering pump is shot and that is what the loud noise is...... the dealership disagreed. The loud noise is simply an idler pulley, about $100.... the first shop worked up a nice $800 estimate just for labor if I brought the rack and pump in to them, and would have been another $800 in parts about. I feel like I should call them and tell them how far off they were and how I almost went out and spent lots of $$ to find out they were wrong.

Shows how valuable a second opinion is.

[OwnerCS]

also the first shop I took the car to before the dealership told me my steering rack was binding internally and my power steering pump is shot and that is what the loud noise is...... the dealership disagreed. The loud noise is simply an idler pulley, about $100.... the first shop worked up a nice $800 estimate just for labor if I brought the rack and pump in to them, and would have been another $800 in parts about. I feel like I should call them and tell them how far off they were and how I almost went out and spent lots of $$ to find out they were wrong.

Shows how valuable a second opinion is.

Sounds like my kinda repair shop.

One time -- well many times with a Toyota -- the dealer wanted $1,500 to fix an AC problem. Replace the compressor, evaporator, condensor, dryer and valves they estimated. I couldn't believe them because it was working fine then suddenly stopped like it was an electrical problem.. Then one day I had the Corolla at my neighborhood full service Sunoco for an oil change.

So the guys called to say they noticed the AC was not working and that they had taken the liberty to fix it with a 30 cent inline fuse.. Needless to say they got a nice TIP and case of holiday cheer to boot!

This happened in NJ where neighborhood FULL service Sunoco stations existed in 1991 with incredibly competent staff -- as it were.. The little service station looked like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting from days that now belong to the past..

[maxnix]

Power steering pumps almost never fail unless systematically abused for a long period of time.

Are you certain it is not your AC clutch?

Usually the pulley bearings and belts need replacement, not the pulleys them selves. I recall the VH41DE requires 8 as two are double pulleys. But check.

Don't get cheap Chinese junk but top grade. About $20-$25 each retail. Press out and in. New OEM belts to avoid repeat labor from wear or poor fit.

True rotors and use DOT4. Have pad anti-chatter spring kits on hand in case you need them. You will sooner or later.

[MarshallQ45]

I am not certain it isnt the A/c clutch, I am just going off of the dealership estimate. I paid for a full diagnose and 100 something point inspection, they listed all the problems and made note of all lights out etc. I will look at the pulley closely when I go to replace, I am not using the Q as my main transportation now so I dont mind taking it apart and then buying/ ordering parts.... it will be 2 months before I have my struts anyways so the plan is to have the car on the road in Feb. sometime.

Thanks for the replys