My q rides like a boat

[1996QShip]

Just picked up my new 1996 q. It has 66k and the engine runs smooth as silk. Except the tach needle moves erratic even though the cars engine purrs. The transmission shifts a little rough. But not too bad. Sunroofs leaking through the contols a little. And it feels like a boat going over bumps! Other thAn that, I'm lovin it!

[maxnix]

Just picked up my new 1996 q. It has 66k and the engine runs smooth as silk. Except the tach needle moves erratic even though the cars engine purrs. The transmission shifts a little rough. But not too bad. Sunroofs leaking through the contols a little. And it feels like a boat going over bumps! Other thAn that, I'm lovin it!

Clean your drains soon!

How does the ATF look (white paper towel test)?

Shocks are shot.

[1996QShip]

Which drain?

[1996QShip]

Oh. Transmission fluid looks clean and red. No gunk in the dipstick either. Which shocks should I get? I don't need a more " performance" feel. Also, I think my ambient temp sensor is bad. It's reading -22. All the other sensors are reading proper temps. Plus I'm getting error 21 when I did the diagnostics

[OwnerCS]

Tokico (Hitachi Automotive) blues can usually be found at a sharp price on eBay. Some owners use Tokico black (closer to OEM feel) on the front and blue (high performance) on the rear..

[1996QShip]

Couldn't find the black shocks so Tokico Blues it is all around. I'm replacing the mounts and dust boots as well. Then I'll have to work a lot more to pay for all this. I've had the transmission fluid and filter replaced. The drains are patent in the front of the sunroof. But I think I still have a leak somewhere up there. My speed sensor is also going in this weekend. So hopefully my speedo and ps will be reliable again. Also the ps fluid got flushed out yesterday as it was really really nasty. And lastly I'm waiting for the ominous hum in the trunk so I can change the fuel pump. I think that's about it until I can see the bushings this weekend. Whew! I'm tired!

[1996QShip]

Well the Tokico Blues are on all four of the wheels. Now, I know everyones been saying my car should be a little stiffer. But this is ridiculous! I'm feeling almost every bump and crack in the road. Sounds like I may have to change bushings now. Any ideas?

[elwesso]

I would give the shocks some time, they are ultra stiff right at the beginning and will break in over the course of the next few months.

Usually upper links start squeaking when they go bad, and youll get some clunking from bad tension rod bushings, and they can also be visually inspected for cracks and signs of the liquid inside them leaking out.

I actually went through the same thing tracing a sunroof drain issue. One time I was driving home after work after it had rained pretty hard, and it started raining out of the sunroof switch.. I think the primary culprit was leaking around the sunroof motor.. I had someone dump a couple buckets of water on the car while I sat inside and waiting for leaking to appear, and it was definitely coming from around the motor. I took the motor down and put some RTV around where the motor mounts to the sunroof, and so far no issues.. Looks like there was some sort of silicon gasket there before and wasnt getting a good seal. There is a little metal plate that covers the engagement of the worm gear to the gear of the sunroof motor, and its a good opportunity to repack that with grease..

If you want any more guidance on this feel free to let me know, its not too hard to fix.. A few hours and a few beers is all it took!!

[maxnix]

Gunk on the dipstick and the engine or transmission is ready for its funeral.

Red ATF is good, but not sufficient if it is darker than new via the white paper towel test.