Name that fluid

[carlos_knology]

Tonight, I backed my J30 out of my garage and noticed there was a small puddle of a clear, gel-like fluid. The puddle was about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

I then noticed that there was more of this fluid/gel inside the front, driver-side wheel well. There was some on the lower portions of the driver door (splatter pattern). The leak seemed to come from the area below the air filter but when I look under there, I see nothing leaking.

I crawled under the car and it seems there's more of this stuff splattered over some of the steering components (near the tie rod). There was a drop of this stuff hanging near the tie rod but when I check above, I see nothing.

Any ideas? I'm wondering if I drove over something but the fact that there was enough of it to puddle in my garage floor makes me think it may be coming from my car.

Do any of you of any fluids/lubricants (grease?) that has a somewhat liquid consistency? It really feels like hair gel to the touch (like goo-gone). it's fairly odorless but feels petroleum based.

It's coming from the area near the driver-side front tire. Any ideas?

[DAEDALUS]

Silicone from the tension rod bushing?

[carlos_knology]

Silicone from the tension rod bushing?

NICO rocks. Daedalus, you're right on it. I crawled back under the car with my trusty service manual in hand (page FA-4) and sure enough, there was a drop of the mystery fluid right under the bushing.

I also noticed that the areas directly behind the bushing (transverse link assembly) is covered with this stuff. I guess the wind under the car blew it over the other parts.

I'm still wondering how it got inside the wheel well and on the driver door. That stuff must have initially squirted out of there.

Come to think of it, two days ago, the front suspension made a popping noise. Sounded like I had driven over a rock or something. Who knows, maybe I'm over-analyzing the issue.

I did a search for "tension rod" and found some articles where some suggest to just replace the entire tie rod since it comes with the bushing on it.

The question now is... is it a DIY job to replace and I guess I should go ahead and replace both the driver-side and passenger-die tie rods right?

Carlos

[DAEDALUS]

Yeah, do both. It is DIY...Call up Joe at Scottsdale; he's got the bushings you need for about $15 each. I know people have used shop vises to do the job, so I don't think it's that big a deal. Assuming that does the job, you'll save quite a bit over replacing the entire rod. I would pull them first and make sure you can remove the bushins before ordering, and also to make sure the rods aren't bent or damaged.

[Mayhem_J30]

Silicone from the tension rod bushing?

BINGO! daed beat me to it. Look in the Infiniti Tech section for Tension rod bushings. There's a nice big thread about them. Just for back ground info if you're interested.

[Q451990]

Do the J's use a differet bushing fluid? When mine leaked it was a sticky grey fluid - almost looked like graphite in there - definately not clear. I can't imagine there would be enough to puddle up on the floor! Usually it's a slow drip...

Keep in mind this is Q experience, Js may be different.

Heath

[Mayhem_J30]

No J's use the exact same bushing. Yours probably rotted over time and began to leak, I think carlos' exploded at some point all at once. Your silicone was most likely grey from contamination from the environment.

[carlos_knology]

Mine definitely went all at once. That stuff was all over the place. I must have happened while I was driving and it hit the tire and got all over the wheel well, etc.

Q451990, the fluid did look somwhat grey/cloudy when I touched the stuff that was hanging on the bushing.

I guess when it was sitting on my grey concrete garage, it looked clear.

Carlos