New Q Owner..Introduction and Question

[Walnuts]

I thought I’d take a minute to introduce myself and pose my first request for help. Three weeks ago I purchased a 1995 Q45 at auction for $2700. The car is in great condition aside for a few things. This has been my first opportunity to drive a car of this caliber and my wife and I have been blown away. The car drives beautifully and the engine and trans seem to be in good shape. Our first tank of gas averaged 20MPG at 60% highway\40% city. Pretty impressive for for 4.5L V8. I have spent the last 3 weeks reading as many posts as possible in this forum and a few others and have come to understand the terminology and typical issues related to the Q. I subscribed to the infinity site and download the FSB and all tech bulletins that I could find. I have always been the type to try to fix my automobiles on my own after careful research and discussions with others. I’m a database administrator not a mechanic but have found that I have usually been able to fix things on my own after consulting resources like NICO.

My first issue: I had the car inspected by two shops and both found that I need rear rotors. I plan to order these from Joe today along with pads. They also found that the rack and pinion boots are torn on both sides and appear to be leaking. One shop said I had to replace the whole unit and the other said that it is possible that I just need new boots. They would need to investigate further and I have not climbed under to look at the rack. Is replacing the rack something that a DIY person could attempt? What is involved in this replacement and can I do it by myself as opposed to having a second person? I went to Joe’s site to look up prices but noticed that there are two steering related components a pinion shaft and a rack. Both are the same price. Are these two different parts and do I need both? What else would I need to order for this job?

Thanks, I feel like I know a lot of you already just from reading thousands of messages.

Elwesso-- Nice website, I plan to tackle the plugs in a few weeks and then in a moment of overconfidence will probably attempt the under plenum stuff.

In another thread I'll explain why I won this car for $2700.

Adam

[rydwhite]

Welcome to NICO Adam. You have deffinetly found the right place for all your Q45 questions.

[louiegz]

Welcome to the forum, Adam. Good luck with your Q. I have a 95 also and I think they're a great car. I'm not one of the forum experts here, but I will help you with any of my experiences with my Q. I also have that problem with my boots. The dealer said that I have two leaky hoses and replace the boots. I have to wait until next time because I had the plugs and 60,000mile service. I was also a little broke because I just had suspension and all breaks done. Probably next month when I’m due for an oil change. I don’t do any of my own repairs, but I did change my fuel pump with the help of a friend. If you here a buzzing sound in the back seat of your car, it’s time to change it, or you’ll burn out your fuel pump control unit, and that’s big bucks. Thanks to NICO I found out that I did have to change it and how to do it. So how many miles on your Q, huh?

LOU

[Mr1der]

wow, sounds like a steal!

have some pics of it yet?

[MiniMan]

Welcome to NICO! Congrats on the Q. Sounds like you got into the scene via a steal of a deal. Any intentions of modding it or do you think you'll stick with OEM? Lots of performance options out there now if you're willing. What color is it (interior/exterior)? Any pics? Post em up!

Corey

[911/Q45]

If the steering boots are torn, but no leaks you can just replace the boots. If there are leaks, the rack seals are bad and you need a fresh steering rack. It is a fairly challenging job.

[maxnix]

Any idea on what condition the fluids are in? Those are critical and a good indicator of future repair/replacement items.

What's your mileage? Have you procured and dealer performed amintenance history? Just submit your VIN to a dealer or Infiniti Customer Service.

[Rex]

Sounds like a good deal, and you've found the place to help you treat it right.

Where in MD is New Market?? I've lived in Ellicot City, Baltimore, Arnold, Pasadena, Glen Burnie & Annapolis (and that's just in MD).

Check the link in my sig for uploading/posting pics.

Weclome to NICO

[AZhitman]

Welcome!!!

Glad to have you aboard, Walnuts, and I echo ALL of the above comments and sentiments.

[elwesso]

Ive seen you lurking..... I would always see username "walnuts" up there.. I got a good laugh everytime.....

I actually should have a 95, as my Q is one of the last 94s made (for instance, mine and Rsiwicki's Q are only a month apart)..

I had a torn boot too, but no leaks so I just replaced the boot. My steering rack is apparently in perfect condition YAY!

After you get the immediate things done you can start thinking about getting you up to par.....

As far as replacing the rack, id at least replace the boots first and then if it poops out you can worry about it later, IMHO.. But if the seals are really shot then you need immediate attention as steering rack failure isnt something you wanna play with!!!! The boot kit is like $20 (I reaplced when I did my suspension stuff)

[Walnuts]

To answer a few of the questions in this thread: My (Our) Q has 101K miles and is dark green with beige interior. I will take some pictures this weekend to post.

I was surprised to hear that I possibly need a new rack since I haven't noticed any steering related problems from a drivability standpoint. I would have throught that something would have felt a little off. The fluid looks like it has not been changed in a while. It is still red but not bright as new fluid.

Rex, New market is about 35 miles west of Baltimore just off of route 70. BTW I grew up in Columbia and went to HS school in Ellicott City in the early 80's.

I'm trying to generate a parts list for the items that would be required to put in a new rack. Any help would be appreciated. The shop that did the inspection quoted $1230 just for the rack without labor.

I'll run my VIN through infiniti to see if I can get a service history.

I think I'll try to stick as close to stock as possible and intend to buy these and all future parts through Joe.

Thanks, Adam

[elwesso]

You can bring your Q to have work done and I'll make it worth your while.....

[maxnix]

The fluid looks like it has not been changed in a while. It is still red but not bright as new fluid.

Get the fluid exchanged to prevent a world of problems, providing your rack is still good.

[ddrumman]

Welcome Adam,

Glad to have you aboard.I'm a new here myself and I gotta tell you. The info here is invaluable, and most everyone here is cool. Sounds like you got a great deal.

D.

[louiegz]

I've never used these guys myself, but check these guys out if you need a steering rack, Adam.

The Steering Store

http://buy-steering.com/index.htm

[HeavyDuty]

Welcome!

Congrats on the new acquisition. Now that you own one, you understand, but don't expect your neighbors to.

On the rack...if the boots are torn & have been for a while, dirt gets on and in the area they protected. Dirt compromises the inner seals & it begins to leak. If you have rips & leaks, I don't think new boots will last long. The aftermarket boots that are split longways (to allow you to install them without removing the rack) aren't worth a flip. By the time ou remove it to reboot it the right way, you'd be better off to replace the rack with an *(OEM)* one from Infiniti.

The only non OEM part I've replaced on my 91 was a radiator, I didn't want to do it, but it was a temporary necessary evil.

Good luck!

[natsoundup]

I would turkey baste the fluid out of there....do it several times....

then do it again in a month.....replace with ATF , not standard power steering fluid... i personally would also ad stop leak fluid...

I would get new boots..... I would really think twice about a new rack, unless the fluid leak was big enough to drop on to the undercover and then on to the driveway....both of my racks leak somewhat...but I have never had a drop of fluid on the concrete.

Unfortunately...I did not even think about changing out power steering fluid.... always did the brake, oil, and transmission..but never gave much thought to power steering... anyway..i hope its not a big issue....

I would also change out the fuel filter and put a can of bg 44k in...and I would get a transmission service done on it...

most here believe in lots of fluid changes.

I have never done the rear differential....i know i probably should.

another issue overlooked.

[elwesso]

Great point natsoundup...

For the reardiff fluid, you need to get a pump. At marine supply stores they sell hand pumps that clamp on to the top of the fluid containers, and this makes the fluid exchange 100% easier. I can do it in 10 mins with drain time included!

[Jeff Williams]

Welcome Walnuts.

Teh boot replacement is not too bad, but you have to remove the ends, and this means a new front-end alignment. It was one of the first things I did on my car.

Think about:

Tokiko Blue strutsUpper linksshock bootssway bar bushingsA modified Maxima front strut bar17" wheels & tires

These will make the car handle like a dream

[ardvarkus]

Hey Adam-

Welcome (nice choice in name )

Lots of good advice so far-

Here is are my suggestions:

1. Change all fluids (oil, water, ATF, brakes, Steering, rear diff). Do the rotors and pads (from Joe)2. Pull service records from VIN at dealer.3. Monitor Steering- determine if there is a leak. Determine if it is the rack or a hose. If you want, replace the boots while you monitor the rack for a leak.4. DO NOT TRUST ANY MECHANIC until they have EARNED your trust...5. Develop a plan for maintenance and upgrades. By reading here and getting to know your wheels you can decide what needs to be done, what you can do and what needs a technician.

Ard (adam)

[Walnuts]

Well I spent some time examining the rack this weekend and it looks like it is in good shape. I removed the old boots and had my wife do 5 full wheel turns while it was up on jack stands. I took some pictures and video taped the process and didn't see a single drop from either side. My plan is to replace the boots and if need be show the video to the inspection station.

I also took the advice above about fluids and am in the process of changing the trans, PS, and differential. What I decided to do with the trans is to drain the fluid through the drain plug which yeilds about 5 quarts and then refil with standard ATF. Drive for a day and then do it again for a total of 4 times. Hopefully this will give a a fairly fresh batch of ATF. Then once this cycle is done I will drain it again, drop the pan, clean the pan, replace the filter and gasket and refill with Mobil 1 ATF. I hope if I let it drip overnight with the pan removed I may be able to get 8 quats or so.

I'll be posting a tech question in the mechanic section about how to go about rplacing the boots on the rack. I'm not sure if I will need some special tools or not.

I picked the name Walnuts for my board name after my wife told a friend of mine that we bought a fairly large 4 door sedan. He said "like the one Paulie Walnuts drives with the spare tire mounted on the trunk?"

Thanks for all of your help, Adam

[ardvarkus]

I've done the transmission 4x thing on my Acura before.... even at $5 an hour for my time, it is easier to find someone with a flush machine (and the knowledge to use it).

Still, that WILL get almost all the old out. Just a PITA- as well as a waste of a lot of Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF

Ard

PS If I recall, it doesn't matter how long you let it drip- most you get is 3-4 quarts out of the 11... (someone will give you the right numbers)

[elwesso]

If you drop the pan you iwll get a lot more..... You move one thing around and more fluid comes gushing out.. Its not pretty... transmission pan is MUCH easier if you had a lift