Opinions on Compression Rod vs Bushing

[pintsize725]

I haven't received a response on my last thread so I'm trying one last time. Dealer says I need compression rods replaced but after doing some research, it seems people are recommending only the bushings be replaced. There was a service bulletin sent out in 09 for the 2004-2006 sedans about only replacing the bushings if noise was present. I'm not sure if that would maybe include the 2003 model. My dealer didn't say anything about the compression rods being cracked or anything, the only thing done at the time was replacement of control arms.

Does anyone have any info on this? Thanks in advance!

[joe603]

I'll try and round up someone who may be able to help...hang tight.

[Q451990]

What did your dealer say? I think it's possible that the bushings might be cheaper, but then balance out cost wise with additional labor for the time to press the old ones out and put the new ones in vs. just swapping out the whole assembly. This is just a guess on my part though...

Heath

[pintsize725]

What did your dealer say? I think it's possible that the bushings might be cheaper, but then balance out cost wise with additional labor for the time to press the old ones out and put the new ones in vs. just swapping out the whole assembly. This is just a guess on my part though...

Heath

Dealer said that they needed to be replaced in order to get rid of the creaking noise and maybe get a smoother ride. He quoted me at $795 for the rod replacement for both sides. I was hoping I could just swap the bushings and save some money but I haven't asked for a quote yet. I am hoping to provide all parts myself If I can find a good deal.

On a different note, started the G today and smelled gas. Car was shaking as if it were about to die. Turned off and on twice to make it go away as I was already running late. I'm beginning to think I should just get a new G.

[gwoods]

My buddy also 03 Sedan with about 46k miles did his bushings himself. If you have access to a press it can be done. I think he spent about $120 an replaced all his bushings.

ON the gas smell with the motor running pop the hood and look for leaks. On some cars fuel injectors have rubber gaskets top and bottom if the rubber deteriates you can end up with fuel puddling on the intake. Not sure about on the G.

[RED_DET]

I just spoke with my contact @ Infiniti parts and the compression rods have to replaced as one entire unit, they will not just replace the bushings, nor can you just buy the bushings. I mentioned the TSB and if we can find that information he maybe able to just get the bushings. It is hard to find TSB's without a vin #.

Alright, updated information. We located the TSB, ITB08-013. There are plenty available and I can get them if need be, just let me know.

This are listed for the 04-06 Sedan, but I see why the 2003 would be any different. All the same suspension components.

[pintsize725]

I just spoke with my contact @ Infiniti parts and the compression rods have to replaced as one entire unit, they will not just replace the bushings, nor can you just buy the bushings. I mentioned the TSB and if we can find that information he maybe able to just get the bushings. It is hard to find TSB's without a vin #.

Really? Circle Infinti is selling just the bushings on eBay. Maybe it's for something else but I was told that I wouldn't need them If i just bought the entire rod units. The TSB from a different forum was found at the link below.

http://trueler.com/wp/wp-content/upload ... 8-013a.pdf

Not sure if it's legit?

The original thread is at http://trueler.com/2010/09/09/infiniti- ... uspension/

I have my car at the shop now to check for a fuel leak, hopefully that comes back as negative.

[RED_DET]

I just updated as you posted... LOL

[tollboothwilley]

I have a 2003 and have replaced just the bushings when the compression rods started to creak.

It has a been a while and they are starting to creak again. I found the bushings for $40/pair. They are pretty easy to press in/out if you have access to a hydraulic press.

I'm curious to know how a compression rod goes bad (not just the bushing) though. i'm told that sometimes its the rod and not the bushing.

[RED_DET]

Can you post the part numbers you used so we can cross reference them to the 04-06 TSB part numbers?

[pintsize725]

Can you post the part numbers you used so we can cross reference them to the 04-06 TSB part numbers?

They don't have the part number listed but the page link is below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT

[RED_DET]

Actually I wanted tollbothwilley to post the part numbers he has purchased in the past.

[the converted]

On a different note, started the G today and smelled gas. Car was shaking as if it were about to die. Turned off and on twice to make it go away as I was already running late. I'm beginning to think I should just get a new G.

That sounds like what my Maxima did when one of the coils was on the way out.

[pintsize725]

On a different note, started the G today and smelled gas. Car was shaking as if it were about to die. Turned off and on twice to make it go away as I was already running late. I'm beginning to think I should just get a new G.

That sounds like what my Maxima did when one of the coils was on the way out.

Great.....

Mechanic says I do not have fuel leak.

[SteveTheTech]

I would say rods ideally. I have been replacing rods for years, and there are almost never situations where the labor charges to press the bushings would be cheaper than the simple link replacement. This car is already 7 years old and the link is crafted from very light weight aluminum and can easily be damaged. It is really not worth it, that procedure in the tsb was to save some money while these cars where covered under warranty.

Are you hearing a noise when entering a road from a parking lot?
Why are you contemplating replacement?

There are some days these early 03 Gs will start like that when they are cold. This seems to happen more so when the battery is <50% charge and on fairly cold nights. I had one this morning (it had the small doggie door) that was towed in with the same issue...once it finally caught and started. After that it got a thorough check out. Despite less than perfect maintenance I could not isolate a primary failed part. I highly suspect a stuck pintle in one fuel injector allowing the ~50psi of fuel to fill the cylinder. When the car was started not only was it hydrolocked with cold fuel but there was no fuel in the system. That is my working theory currently.

Might be time to think about a new set of spark plugs.

What kind of fuel are you using?

[pintsize725]

Are you hearing a noise when entering a road from a parking lot?
Why are you contemplating replacement?

Might be time to think about a new set of spark plugs.

What kind of fuel are you using?

I hear creaking when driving over any small bump in the road. In the morning there is a small pop-ish noise when I take the first right or left turn of the day. This is the reason I took it to the dealership but all my extended warranty covered was the control arms. Not sure if it matters but I have coils and struts from an '08 350Z.

Spark plugs were changed March 29th, 2010. I've only driven 16k miles with the new ones.

As far as gas, I only use Shell V Power 93 Octane.

[SteveTheTech]

Having a lowered G isn't that bad, it might expedite the noisy bushings but it's no big deal it is pretty much common among early Gs.

If you can find someone who has done this before than go with the bushings and assume liability for the rods. The TSB goes into great detail on exactly what is and what is not acceptable for safe pressing of suspension bushings. It is at least semi likely the rods will not survive the pressing and you need to understand that you may require rods anyway.

I am just trying to make sure you have as much information as we can give you before making an educated decision on what is right for your G.

By the way to the proper and early maintenance on your G.
Did you install NGKs?

[pintsize725]

Having a lowered G isn't that bad, it might expedite the noisy bushings but it's no big deal it is pretty much common among early Gs.

If you can find someone who has done this before than go with the bushings and assume liability for the rods. The TSB goes into great detail on exactly what is and what is not acceptable for safe pressing of suspension bushings. It is at least semi likely the rods will not survive the pressing and you need to understand that you may require rods anyway.

I am just trying to make sure you have as much information as we can give you before making an educated decision on what is right for your G.

By the way to the proper and early maintenance on your G.
Did you install NGKs?

Yup, sure did. I've decided that along with replacing the drive belts, I'll be replacing the rods. I really wish it was a cheaper job though. If I could find the parts at a decent price, the labor is going to be about 350.
I've tried to keep maintenance jobs on time or early as long as I've had the car. I just passed 126k miles and so far so good.
I really appreciate everyone's help with this. This forum is really great for those of us who don't know much besides maintenance.

[SteveTheTech]

It is kind of a hard pill to swallow for a noise.

If you shoot some WD-40 (penetrating oil)on the rubber bushings the noise tends to temporarily, that might buy you a little extra time.

The links from either Nissan or Infiniti seem to bottom out at about $150/ea.

[pintsize725]

It is kind of a hard pill to swallow for a noise.

If you shoot some WD-40 (penetrating oil)on the rubber bushings the noise tends to temporarily, that might buy you a little extra time.

The links from either Nissan or Infiniti seem to bottom out at about $150/ea.

Can you point me to a link for the $150/unit price? That's a bit less than ebay at least.

[tollboothwilley]

Actually I wanted tollbothwilley to post the part numbers he has purchased in the past.

Its been too long - i went back through my records and have receipt but no part # asociated with it.



STEVE - what happens to the compression rods that makes them go bad? just bending of the metal?

[telcoman]

What did your dealer say? I think it's possible that the bushings might be cheaper, but then balance out cost wise with additional labor for the time to press the old ones out and put the new ones in vs. just swapping out the whole assembly. This is just a guess on my part though...

Heath

Dealer said that they needed to be replaced in order to get rid of the creaking noise and maybe get a smoother ride. He quoted me at $795 for the rod replacement for both sides. I was hoping I could just swap the bushings and save some money but I haven't asked for a quote yet. I am hoping to provide all parts myself If I can find a good deal.

On a different note, started the G today and smelled gas. Car was shaking as if it were about to die. Turned off and on twice to make it go away as I was already running late. I'm beginning to think I should just get a new G.

The $795 price is cheaper than I paid last October at 127.5k miles
Both sides were $278.00 for each side plus 3 hours labor@$120.00 per hour or $360.00 labor.That came to $915.00 plus tax.I also had to have a drivers side air bag module replaced so the total came to $1643.00. They threw in new wipers at no charge.
The difference was immediately noticable after getting the car back.
Pricey yes but I no longer allow anyone but the dealer to work on my G
The air bag light came on again a couple of weeks later and that was repaired at the dealer at no charge.

Telcoman

[SteveTheTech]

what happens to the compression rods that makes them go bad? just bending of the metal?

I specifically remember a pressure gauge reading in excess of 10 tons being enough to condemn a rod. The type of aluminum used on these links mars and dings very easily. Pressing out this type of bearing is a lost art form only really found in the BMW world. Getting these out can be a wicked PITA some times. The bushing end can seize and become impressively difficult to get off.

Links seem to vary wildly in price and by day of the week it seems.
http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart ... pe=INFIG35
Those were listed on google for $142...in actuality they were a bit more.

Don't buy used suspension parts that is a really bad idea. I didn't even know you could do that.

[pintsize725]

I guess this can be an update. I have yet to swap the compression rods on the car. I do not trust the dealership that said I needed it done (sadly, same place I bought the car). I do not believe they were able to replicate the noise that caused me to take it in in the first place.

So.....I've driven my car a few extra miles in the last month or so to see if I could actually pinpoint when/where the whole sound issue happens. The more I let the car sit and started it, the more it sounds like the noise happens when I accelerate and it kicks into 2nd. I feel like I am going crazy trying to figure this out. I don't have an extended warranty through Infiniti but really wish I did now.

Side note: For a month now the car has been idling very low (~250 rpms) after being driven a few miles and stopping in traffic. Could these be related by chance?

[tollboothwilley]

If you do end up swapping just the bushings you might consider using the Whiteline spherical aluminum bushings. I have haerd nothing but good things from G35 owners who have swapped. $150 for the pair of them + pressing time but not too bad IMO. Its what I have decided I will do when I replace my bushings again.