I got my car back from the shop where I had all four strut/accuators replaced. Before the repair the car rode like a log wagon. I had the noise on the left side of the car when going over bumps too. Now the car rides like it is sitting on a cloud! Everything is so smooth and no more noises when going over bumps. Of course my fuel pump is humming louder than ever, though.
Jman
My Q45a rides like new again!
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Jman,
I'm about to get Active done also.Did you replace only the 4 struts/accuators??I'm so lost about the Active Suspension.I'm sure the car feels really different. Like you, I feel like I'm riding in a brick.Where did you get the car fixed??Some details would be great.
Thanks~
I'm about to get Active done also.Did you replace only the 4 struts/accuators??I'm so lost about the Active Suspension.I'm sure the car feels really different. Like you, I feel like I'm riding in a brick.Where did you get the car fixed??Some details would be great.
Thanks~
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texasoil
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2002 3:18 pm
- Car: '92 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Mercedes-Benz SL600
old strut parts
Congratulations on getting the job done by warranty.
will you send me the old struts? I'll pay shipping of course. Drop me a line off forum. [email protected]
will you send me the old struts? I'll pay shipping of course. Drop me a line off forum. [email protected]
I know I'm a little late on this post, but I just came across it.
I've got a 95 Q45a with 98,000 miles and about one month left on my extended warranty. I just had it at Infiniti of Denver, where they submitted a claim to the warranty company to replace the actuators.
The warranty company denied the claim because my actuators are seeping and not actively leaking. The nitrogen is low to gone. I went up the chain of command and ended up nowhere.
JMan, How did you manage to get yours replaced under warranty?
I've got a 95 Q45a with 98,000 miles and about one month left on my extended warranty. I just had it at Infiniti of Denver, where they submitted a claim to the warranty company to replace the actuators.
The warranty company denied the claim because my actuators are seeping and not actively leaking. The nitrogen is low to gone. I went up the chain of command and ended up nowhere.
JMan, How did you manage to get yours replaced under warranty?
Johnny:
Get your Infiniti mechanic to certify that they need to be replaced and why. Make a formal written demand to the insurance company, attaching the mechanic's certification and send a copy (noted on the letter) to the state insurance comissioner. If that does not get it, you may want to see if an attorney could help you. Sounds like a $5K to $6K job and a couple of hundred bucks for counsel may result in the insurance co. changing their position. Do not get discouraged, insurance cos. routinely deny claims, and frequently back off if properly challenged.
Get your Infiniti mechanic to certify that they need to be replaced and why. Make a formal written demand to the insurance company, attaching the mechanic's certification and send a copy (noted on the letter) to the state insurance comissioner. If that does not get it, you may want to see if an attorney could help you. Sounds like a $5K to $6K job and a couple of hundred bucks for counsel may result in the insurance co. changing their position. Do not get discouraged, insurance cos. routinely deny claims, and frequently back off if properly challenged.
Hi guys,
Sorry for the delay, just got back from out of town.
The warranty company is Universal Warranty Corporation. I bought the warranty from the dealer. The warranty states that they will pay the costs to repair any "breakdown" of a part listed below. Actuators are included in the suspension portion of the list.
One of the problems that I was having at the dealer, was that the tech became uncooperative after the first inspector denied his claim. The second inspector actually agreed that the actuators needed to be replaced, (even after the Infiniti tech gave up and only answered with one word answers to his questions). So the warranty company sent the first inspector back out to take more pictures. They said that the actuators were dryer the third inspection and the moisture from the second inspection photos had been from a light rain we had the day of the inspection.
My service advisor, probably worn down from all the back and forth, agreed with him. Did I mention this whole process took more than a month? Yes, I had their I30 the whole time and they seemed very pleased to get it back and get rid of me.
Sorry for the delay, just got back from out of town.
The warranty company is Universal Warranty Corporation. I bought the warranty from the dealer. The warranty states that they will pay the costs to repair any "breakdown" of a part listed below. Actuators are included in the suspension portion of the list.
One of the problems that I was having at the dealer, was that the tech became uncooperative after the first inspector denied his claim. The second inspector actually agreed that the actuators needed to be replaced, (even after the Infiniti tech gave up and only answered with one word answers to his questions). So the warranty company sent the first inspector back out to take more pictures. They said that the actuators were dryer the third inspection and the moisture from the second inspection photos had been from a light rain we had the day of the inspection.
My service advisor, probably worn down from all the back and forth, agreed with him. Did I mention this whole process took more than a month? Yes, I had their I30 the whole time and they seemed very pleased to get it back and get rid of me.
By the way, a breakdown as defined by the warranty company:Means the failure of a covered part under normal service. A covered part has failed when it can no longer perform the function for which it was designed solely because of its condition and not because of the action or inaction resulting from the failure of any non-covered parts.
The condition of my actuators are as follows:
Three of the four are seeping fluid, but not actively leaking. The fluid resevoir was down a little and the tech has refilled to it's proper level.
The car still lifts up about an inch when shifted to the high mode.
The ride is harsh, but not obscene.
I think the warranty companies point was that, "yeah it rides very rough, but that doesn't mean that they have failed."
The condition of my actuators are as follows:
Three of the four are seeping fluid, but not actively leaking. The fluid resevoir was down a little and the tech has refilled to it's proper level.
The car still lifts up about an inch when shifted to the high mode.
The ride is harsh, but not obscene.
I think the warranty companies point was that, "yeah it rides very rough, but that doesn't mean that they have failed."
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AZhitman
- Administrator
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Try another dealership first of all.
One of the best things you can do if you have a warranty is to develop a good relationship with the service writer...
Wonder what it'd take to accelerate the process from "seeping" beyond "leaking" to "broken".
Perhaps an email to texasoil is in order - He's acutely familiar with these systems and may have some ideas.
One of the best things you can do if you have a warranty is to develop a good relationship with the service writer...
Wonder what it'd take to accelerate the process from "seeping" beyond "leaking" to "broken".
Perhaps an email to texasoil is in order - He's acutely familiar with these systems and may have some ideas.
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texasoil
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2002 3:18 pm
- Car: '92 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Mercedes-Benz SL600
When ar e'actuators' failed?
Have the dealer run the full CONSULT test for the active suspension. It will clearly flag all the flat accumulators.
Other way is real simple - with the car running, try to bounce hard on each corner and see how much(little) suspension travel is left. Flat strut accumulators have only tire and rubber bushing flex/bounce, with no suspension travel.
Other way is real simple - with the car running, try to bounce hard on each corner and see how much(little) suspension travel is left. Flat strut accumulators have only tire and rubber bushing flex/bounce, with no suspension travel.
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Q451990
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What the hell is the difference between leaking and seeping! The way I see it, the seal either holds the fluid or it doesn't. Ford tried this crap with me on a POS Mercury Cougar a long time ago with valve covers. I think it's just a way of trying to get out of the repairs... You might ask them to define the difference. In either case, the part "can no longer perform the function for which it was designed" because it was designed to dampen the suspension within certain speceifcations without leaking! I'd try to define it's function within very specific parameters - like provide x" of lift in y time with Consult Test XXXYYY, within a fully sealed system. Not "dampen the suspension." Keep after them and you'll win!
Heath
Heath
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diamondj30
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Consult
Texasoil or Q45Tech,
I checked my service manual for a consult test for the accumulators and was unable to find anything. Getting the dealer to do the full consult probably isn't going to happen. Can you refer me to a specific consult test?
JJ
I checked my service manual for a consult test for the accumulators and was unable to find anything. Getting the dealer to do the full consult probably isn't going to happen. Can you refer me to a specific consult test?
JJ
Great news!
I just found out that the warranty company is going to pay for my faulty actuators!! Hooray!
You guys were a HUGE help and I want to say thanks to all of you.
I bought Fred's old strut accumulators last week, so the timing is kind of funny.
Question: What rubber parts need to be replaced? The mount insulators are $117 a piece and the parts guy swears I don't need them. That in itself is pretty incredible.
The bound bumper is a given, how about the Dust cover? Anything I'm missing?Thanks!
JJ
You guys were a HUGE help and I want to say thanks to all of you.
I bought Fred's old strut accumulators last week, so the timing is kind of funny.
Question: What rubber parts need to be replaced? The mount insulators are $117 a piece and the parts guy swears I don't need them. That in itself is pretty incredible.
The bound bumper is a given, how about the Dust cover? Anything I'm missing?Thanks!
JJ