Q45 struts - help
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OneTimePoster
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Q45 struts - help
Need to replace rear struts. Is this a diy job? If so can somebody walk me through it (can't find anything in the repair manual). Thanks.
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elwesso
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2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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Basically, all you have to do is remove the shock/spring assy (two bolts on top, and 1 bolt on the bottom), pull it out, and put the spring on the new shock.......
Once you get the shock/spring assy off, take it to an independent shop and have them switch the springs for you... they have power tools that make this job oodles easier (and switching the springs is the hardest part)
Your best bet is to get ahold of some tockico blues...... Also, make sure you get new dust boots, and consider getting new rubber too........ (the latter 2 are available from joe at scottsdale)
I think you should do all 4 at one time..... it makes things easier, and then you wont have to worry about them for a long time!
Once you get the shock/spring assy off, take it to an independent shop and have them switch the springs for you... they have power tools that make this job oodles easier (and switching the springs is the hardest part)
Your best bet is to get ahold of some tockico blues...... Also, make sure you get new dust boots, and consider getting new rubber too........ (the latter 2 are available from joe at scottsdale)
I think you should do all 4 at one time..... it makes things easier, and then you wont have to worry about them for a long time!
Take the cover off of the "front" part of the trunk compartment. Just use a phillips head acrewdriver and gently remove all those little plastic fasteners, then pull it out. The tops of the shocks are easily accessible in there. You'll see three nuts. Just loosen the one in the center a little, and then take the outside two off. DO NOT TAKE THE ONE IN THE CENTER OFF UNTIL YOU REMOVE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY FROM THE CAR.
Remove the large nut that holds the bottom of the shock and push it off the fixed bolt with a bar or some other large instrument. The assembly will fall out of the car, and its a little heavy, so catch it so it doesnt damage your brake lines, etc.
Take a good look at the relationship betweeen the top plate holding the spring and the bottom hole in the strut. YOU NEED TO GET THIS BACK INTO THE SAME POSITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND THE SPRING, and once the spring is compressed, everything can turn everwhichway and you wont remember where they were unless you marked them clearly. The result of having them misaligned upon reassembly of the spring&shock unit is that the two upper bolts will fit into their holes, but the lower hole in the shock will be at right angles to the bolt it has to slide onto. Avoid this
I agree with finding a shop to compress the springs for you. I bought my own manual sping compressor from Harbor Freight, but it was a pain, and I was constantly afraid I was going to have something break and cause an injury.
Good luck.
ps the Tokico blues made the car ride and handle great.
Remove the large nut that holds the bottom of the shock and push it off the fixed bolt with a bar or some other large instrument. The assembly will fall out of the car, and its a little heavy, so catch it so it doesnt damage your brake lines, etc.
Take a good look at the relationship betweeen the top plate holding the spring and the bottom hole in the strut. YOU NEED TO GET THIS BACK INTO THE SAME POSITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND THE SPRING, and once the spring is compressed, everything can turn everwhichway and you wont remember where they were unless you marked them clearly. The result of having them misaligned upon reassembly of the spring&shock unit is that the two upper bolts will fit into their holes, but the lower hole in the shock will be at right angles to the bolt it has to slide onto. Avoid this
I agree with finding a shop to compress the springs for you. I bought my own manual sping compressor from Harbor Freight, but it was a pain, and I was constantly afraid I was going to have something break and cause an injury.
Good luck.
ps the Tokico blues made the car ride and handle great.
One more PS. You cant take the center nut off the assembly until you have the spring compressed and secured. There would be a great likelihood of injury if you attempted to remove the nut in the center without having the spring compressed. Even if you could, it would be impossible to get it back togather without a compressor.
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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
(Since I have rarely worked on cars before, please excuse the obvious stupid questions from me!)
Wheels have to be off the car to do shock removals, obviously. So, I assume that means getting jack stands to support the car, right?. Where should they be placed? Since the shock-spring structures are going to be removed, what "supports" the car when they are all removed?
Z
Wheels have to be off the car to do shock removals, obviously. So, I assume that means getting jack stands to support the car, right?. Where should they be placed? Since the shock-spring structures are going to be removed, what "supports" the car when they are all removed?
Z
szhosain wrote:Ah! But when the car is lifted from the frame and/or the lift points on the body, don't the shocks and springs stretch open (due to the weight of the wheels/brakes/etc)? Does this make it tough to get the bolts on and off, etc.?
Z
It makes it easier, since the bolts have less load on them. Nominally compressed, the bolts are supporting the weight of the car's corner. Unloaded, its significantly less. Regardless, a fair amount of hammering is often required.
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AZhitman
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Z - I'm sure there are others who are more adept at this task here, but since I have done it twice in the past 4 months (once when I got my Blues and once again to swap out the Eibachs), I'd be glad to walk you through it or just discuss.
Feel free to call me on my celly at (602) 828-8908 if you need help.
Feel free to call me on my celly at (602) 828-8908 if you need help.
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OneTimePoster
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szh
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- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
AZhitman wrote:Z - I'm sure there are others who are more adept at this task here, but since I have done it twice in the past 4 months (once when I got my Blues and once again to swap out the Eibachs), I'd be glad to walk you through it or just discuss.
Feel free to call me on my celly at (602) 828-8908 if you need help.
Thanks, AZ! I may do that if I get stuck.
I am also trying to get down to El Segundo to visit Daedalus. He has been kind enough to offer to help teach me too. At this point, I have to check with my wife (who is visiting her parents overseas right now) to find out if the weekend that Daedalus is free, is one I can take off to go there.
So far ... I have the shocks (from your source!), upper links, tension rod bushings, rear sway bar kit, etc., etc., (from Joe!) but have not yet done the deed for a variety of crazy reasons!
Z
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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Hi, Daedalus.
Yup! Major league stuff. I was not allowed to drive a car for 6 weeks
and not allowed to exert more than 5 to 10 pounds of force using arms and shoulders for 8 weeks! Imagine ... my Q just sat there for 6 weeks!
But I am a lot better now!
Quote » But hell, that sure didn't stop AZ, now did it??? The river Sanity runs deep in some; not so deep in others. [/quote]Oh, I am nuts in other ways - at least, my wife certainly seems to think so!
Z
DAEDALUS wrote:Including surgery if I recall.
Yup! Major league stuff. I was not allowed to drive a car for 6 weeks
and not allowed to exert more than 5 to 10 pounds of force using arms and shoulders for 8 weeks! Imagine ... my Q just sat there for 6 weeks!But I am a lot better now!
Quote » But hell, that sure didn't stop AZ, now did it??? The river Sanity runs deep in some; not so deep in others.
[/quote]Oh, I am nuts in other ways - at least, my wife certainly seems to think so! Z
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szh
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- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Hi, AZHitman
It sure sounds like it and I greatly appreciate all the encouragement that people have provide. I feel confident that I could do it!
However, you all need to remember that I am a novice at this stuff - I don't even have the basic tools to do this task. I have to get the following (assuming the list is complete):
1. Strong floor jack.2. Four stands.3. Torque wrenche(s).4. Rubber mallet.(Did I miss anything?)
I have to admit that I am sorely temped to try this out! I know I have the manual dexterity to do it, just needed the encouragement and tools to go for it.
Z
AZhitman wrote:I paid the kid at the local garage $20 and a tip for ALL four.
WELL worth it.
Z - If you do wind up doing it on your own, it's really a cake project. Seriously. No real need for a manual or instructions.
It sure sounds like it and I greatly appreciate all the encouragement that people have provide. I feel confident that I could do it!
However, you all need to remember that I am a novice at this stuff - I don't even have the basic tools to do this task. I have to get the following (assuming the list is complete):
1. Strong floor jack.2. Four stands.3. Torque wrenche(s).4. Rubber mallet.(Did I miss anything?)
I have to admit that I am sorely temped to try this out! I know I have the manual dexterity to do it, just needed the encouragement and tools to go for it.
Z
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AZhitman
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- Location: Surprise, Arizona
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Z - GO FOR IT!!!
Hey, didn't you have heart surgery? Just like mine? Dude, we gotta talk - Tackle those shocks and call me or e-me off-board!
p.s. You'll want to do 2 at a time - No need for 4 jackstands. Also, you'll want a breaker bar (for the bottom shock mount bolts). A 12mm socket and a 14mm socket (I think), and a long screwdriver (to align things). A hammer to tap the bottom bolts back in with, and perhaps a friend (to put the upper nuts on the bolts as you thread the assembly back into the holes). A 12-pack of Corona and a cushion for your arse, and you're good to go.
Hey, didn't you have heart surgery? Just like mine? Dude, we gotta talk - Tackle those shocks and call me or e-me off-board!
p.s. You'll want to do 2 at a time - No need for 4 jackstands. Also, you'll want a breaker bar (for the bottom shock mount bolts). A 12mm socket and a 14mm socket (I think), and a long screwdriver (to align things). A hammer to tap the bottom bolts back in with, and perhaps a friend (to put the upper nuts on the bolts as you thread the assembly back into the holes). A 12-pack of Corona and a cushion for your arse, and you're good to go.
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szh
- Posts: 15932
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
- Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
AZhitman wrote:Z - GO FOR IT!!!
Hey, didn't you have heart surgery? Just like mine? Dude, we gotta talk - Tackle those shocks and call me or e-me off-board!
Will do so!
Quote » p.s. You'll want to do 2 at a time - No need for 4 jackstands. [/quote]
My thought was to take all four someplace to get them to compress the springs. May be quicker than two at a time?
Quote » Also, you'll want a breaker bar (for the bottom shock mount bolts). A 12mm socket and a 14mm socket (I think), and a long screwdriver (to align things). A hammer to tap the bottom bolts back in with, and perhaps a friend (to put the upper nuts on the bolts as you thread the assembly back into the holes). A 12-pack of Corona and a cushion for your arse, and you're good to go. [/quote]
Good input for my list - thanks much!
I am going to go for it - can't make it to Daedalus's in July and my shocks are totally shot! I drove my wife's car yesterday and it is in such better shape (suspension-wise) compared to mine that it is embarrassing
- my car floats around terribly!This weekend, I am gonna get all the tools!
Z
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
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2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Yeah, you will have to do some banging, and you want at least half of the wheels touching the ground.... Besides, your back will thank you for the break...... Unlike the spark plugs..... They show no mercy!!!!
I second the case of corona, just make sure you dont forget the limes!!!! It would truely be devastating!
I second the case of corona, just make sure you dont forget the limes!!!! It would truely be devastating!
AZhitman wrote:I just don't like the idea of a car as heavy as the Q on 4 stands. The problem is GETTING it up there, it's unstable when the front is up on stands and you try to lift the rear (or vice versa).
Amen to that! When getting my own Q up on four jackstands, it was harrowing nervous work.
At one point, with the rear end up and jacking underneath the middle of the engine craddle with a big floor jack and a couple blocks of wood, the jack suddenly shot out from under the car. No damage, but the car came down very suddenly as only a ton of steel can! I had to stop and change my underwear.