Q45 Steering

[louiegz]

I started my car magazine organizing project, and you can't help to read some old articles. I was looking at my Nov 93 Road & Track. They did a first look at the 94 Q. I read something interesting. We all know that the 94 went to a slower ratio steering, (17.0:1 vs 15.1:1), but they said that the 94 Q45t retained the old 15.1:1 ratio. Is this true? So if it is, that means that if you have a 94 t, you have the old steering. I don't know if it's the same with the 95 since the 95 t didn't have the Hicas.

I also saw in a New for 99 issue and it said that the 99 Q came with Driver adjustable shocks. How did this work? Where they special shocks?

[elwesso]

I do recall somewhere that the T models got the old rack... A lot of people do the swap.....

You can make it about the same by adjusting the rack pre-load... So it still feels firm.....

The 95/96 T models probably just had the badge, wing, and the little sway bar..

Im pretty sure the Y33 adjustable shocks were just macphearson struts..... Not sure, but I dont think its anything real hi-tekk

[louiegz]

I do recall somewhere that the T models got the old rack... A lot of people do the swap.....

You can make it about the same by adjusting the rack pre-load... So it still feels firm.....

The 95/96 T models probably just had the badge, wing, and the little sway bar..

Im pretty sure the Y33 adjustable shocks were just macphearson struts..... Not sure, but I dont think its anything real hi-tekk

How do you preload the rack?

By the way Oct 96 R&T had a full reveiw on the 97 Q. They said that the front suspention was Mac struts. The rear was a carry over from the G50. I think what they ment with the Driver adjustable shocks was a swich like the Maximas of the early 80s. How does this work?

[maxnix]

How do you preload the rack?

Adjusting the steering rack does not change its ratio. Only a senior Infiniti technician should be permitted to do this since over tightening will cause premature wear.

By the way Oct 96 R&T had a full reveiw on the 97 Q. They said that the front suspention was Mac struts. The rear was a carry over from the G50. I think what they ment with the Driver adjustable shocks was a swich like the Maximas of the early 80s. How does this work?

What R&T really means is the FY33 (and Y34 and F50) has a MacPherson strut front suspension. In particular, there is no upper link (like on the G50 and Z32) to mimic the camber-change limiting action of an dual A arm suspension.

Don't know when the adjustable shocks for the t and 2K ae models appeared (1999?), but I think they switched the internal shock valves. Not cheap to replace and last no longer than the non-switched valved shocks.

[Q45tech]

" no upper link (like on the G50 and Z32) to mimic the camber-change limiting action of an dual A arm suspension."

The twisted [and angled back] upper arm, upper link combo [design to fit in a limited space] on the 90-96 has tremendous [greater than typical dual A arm designs] camber gain when coupled with the extreme 6.5 degree caster.

That is the problem with tire wear as the body rolls you get camber compensation that increases and increases and increases with the amount you turn the steering wheel.

Why the static camber is only 0.7 degrees negative when new

[rover3l]

Speaking of Steering, how should it feel on a Q and is there any difference with the active model. Mine feels fairly precise but seems over light and lacking in feel

[Jeff Williams]

We all know that the 94 went to a slower ratio steering, (17.0:1 vs 15.1:1), but they said that the 94 Q45t retained the old 15.1:1 ratio. Is this true? So if it is, that means that if you have a 94 t, you have the old steering. I don't know if it's the same with the 95 since the 95 t didn't have the Hicas.

I can positively attest to that. I thought there was something wrng with thte "t", when I first drove it. It is a BIG difference! The STD model feels too light, after driving the "t" model for a few days. It seems as if I can barely keep it in the road.

I really like the "t" steering. I wouldn't swap it for the new one, IMO.

The pump and reservir are larger on the HICAS car, so the quicker steering might make it way too twitchey.

[airman]

I wonder how Stillen tension rods (which have no bushings as I heard) will affect steering feel. Anybody compared?

[911/Q45]

I have the Stillen tension rods and they have Heim joints rather than bushings. I made several other changes at the same time(Eibach springs,Tokico struts,Stillen upper links,strut brace) so I can only say that steering and handling are top notch after all that.

[airman]

Does it translate more vibration from road to the steering wheel?

[911/Q45]

I've not noticed that. Steering is very positive and controllable, even at very high speeds or on rough pavement.