Preventive Maintenance

[the_jay]

Hello everyone.

I'm in the process of restoring a 1993 J30 and am working on the interior right now with staining the faded carpet, new speakers, fixing the leather, etc. What I don't know much about is what kind of maintenance I should be doing now on the engine/mechanical components to make sure I get the maximum mileage out of this car. Right now, I am at about 180,000 miles and have had the car for about 2 months.

Thus far:
new Falken tires riding on 5 spoke 2003 g35 wheels 17"
new fuel filter
new bosch double platinum spark plugs
new air filter
new brake pads
seafoam
timing belt


I still get a little wobbly on the highway so I am guessing the shocks and/or springs need to be replaced. What else should I be doing? Shocks, springs? Transmission fluid, drop the oil pan, 02 sensors, etc? What is broken or breaking at this mileage? It would be great to get a maintenance schedule going.

[fourdrinie]

use only NGK platinum plugs, nothing else!!!!
you may want to get a new MAF
flush the transmission fluid
prepare for fuel pump to go....
inspect radiator and make sure antifreeze is fresh
change thermostat
if you do timing belt, make sure to change everything there..ie water pump, tensioners, etc
make sure all hoses and belts are good

[yodawill2000]

The woobly thing could be inner or outer tie rods, Tension rob bushings blown, ect.
Transmission flush with new filter and gasket is a GREAT idea !
I even added a additional cooler.

[Mkiisupra]

Bosche plugs are garbage in Japanese cars.

[swimshark]

ngk single tip plugs only. anything else and multiple tip plugs are pointless and actually cause issues.

[the_jay]

Roger on the NGK, I didn't put them in yet so I'll take them back and get the NGK.

Yoda, is that suspension work a DIY as far as inspection and possible replacement goes? Also, what is the typical life of springs/shocks on these cars?

[fourdrinie]

yes tension rods and outer tie rods are pretty simple to do...there are many posts here on their repair.
I have found that shocks/struts last anywhere from 60K to a wobbly 100K depending on driving habits and road conditions.

[fourdrinie]

This will help:

http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30_diy.htm

[yodawill2000]

This will help:

http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30_diy.htm

One of the first websites I bookmarked !!
Oh , And the link for Tie Rod replacement is actually a how too for the Tension rods.
FYI if you have a shop near with a good press you can replace only the Bushing in the tension rods.
MUCH cheaper.