Rear suspension

[buddy]

We just purchased a '96 Q. We recently lost our '93 Q (totalled) to a teenage driver that still has a few more driving lessons to take...oh well. We love the new car, but the rear suspension is very soft, compared to our '93. The '96 is not a "t", nor was the '93, but the new one is very spongy in the back. The back right rear has a rattle when driving on rougher surfaces. I want to start with the cheapest and easiest possible fix. What is involved with the replacement of the shocks? I see that the parts are fairly inexpensive. Is the installation a big deal? Also, can I get a stiffer variety of shock to improve the ride?

Thanks.

[maxnix]

The Tokico blues are as cheap and stiff as you can get. Get the shocks and the full rubber kit from Joe at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com .

Might have to search the archives for shock installation, but it is relatively easy, especially if you have a lift, air tools, and a spring compressor. I have a few pictures I can send also.

Got FSM and TSB?

Welcome to NICO.

[elwesso]

agreed with brian

If you are into DIYing it, what I would do is take your shocks to a shop and have them install the springs, theyll have an air powered spring compressor that is much safer than using an at home one...!

The rears sometimes like staying in there... Next time i do shocks ill likely have someone else do it, because its just one of those things that with the tools you need, its just not worth it... That is, unless i decide to get a spring compressor!

First time done on the 1st Q it cost me $130 (2 hrs at 60/hr + tax)

[buddy]

Would you trust the average Midas, or a similar type place to do the install? How complicated is accessing the top of the assembly? Should I do this for the shop, so nothing is damaged?

Also, I would like the ride to be much tighter than it is right now. Short of a major upgrade, will the new shocks help?

[elwesso]

the shocks will help a lot..... Theres a lot of stuff you can od, but this will really help it out......

I think midas could do it, just be sure to point out to them to not, under any circumstance to touch the strut rod... It will run it.

[maxnix]

......be sure to point out to them to not, under any circumstance to touch the strut rod... It will run it.

Wes means if the rods are marred in anyway, they lose their seal and are ruined very quickly as the nitrogen seeps out.

Be sure you have an FSM and an understanding of the procedure of seating the springs and aligning the shock absorbers correctly if you are going to a non-G50 technician.

[Jeff Williams]

I have an air compressor, spring compressor($20 from Auto Zone), a nice floor jack, and jack stands.

I can park the car, remove the panels in the trunk, remove the 4 nuts holding the tops of the struts, jack the car up, take off teh rear wheels, remove the lower bolt, take out the strut assemblys, remove the springs, put the springs on the new struts (and the new dust boots), re-install the strut assemblys, re-install thw wheels, re-isntall the rear panels of the trunk, and lower the car in about 2 hours.

It is a very simple operation.

This will tighten up the rear of the car about 500%. Definitley go with Tokiko Blues. Buy all 4. Get the dust boots from Joe (Everything NISSAN-INFINITI add on the right of your screen).

If you have a few hundred more, get the rear sway bar kit from him too. It takes about an hour to install. You have to disconnedt all the exhaust mounts and let the pipes hang down, to get it installed. Then spring for new tension rods and uper links up front, when you do the front struts. They only take about 2 hours as well.

Once you get all this done, buy my front strut tower brace, and the car will handle great.

[Q45tech]

Then make sure your tires are as soft [fast wearing] as oem that came new on the 90-96Q. They progressively got harder 160>200 as the average guy complained about fast wear..........not understanding/or careing about the relationship.

Todays aftermarket oem sizes 215/65/15 are no where near oem soft so the handling/braking suffers by 20% or worse. Easy to find brand new tired Q which now stop from 60 mph in 160 feet instead of 129 feet as designed. Never important until you hit something.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...c.jsp

Except the above in 225/60/15 which is as close to oem as avaiable today.

[qship96]

Then make sure your tires are as soft [fast wearing] as oem that came new on the 90-96Q. They progressively got harder 160>200 as the average guy complained about fast wear..........not understanding/or careing about the relationship.

Todays aftermarket oem sizes 215/65/15 are no where near oem soft so the handling/braking suffers by 20% or worse. Easy to find brand new tired Q which now stop from 60 mph in 160 feet instead of 129 feet as designed. Never important until you hit something.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...c.jsp

Except the above in 225/60/15 which is as close to oem as avaiable today.

agree,now have 7000 miles on the Exaltos,way better then the pilot xgt h & v versions I ran for the last 140,000 miles!

[Raxephon]

Welcome to NICO

Be sure to check out http://www.q45.org

And just in case you don't have one yet.

1996 Infiniti Q45 Factory Service Manual http://phatg20.net/modules.php...d=205

[PopPop]

Time consuming but not very difficult. I didn't here anyone mention to replace your strut hardware. These parts do not come with strut package but, are very important to replace! Most time you tear the paper gasket when you R&R strut assembly and rubber donut gasket is smashed and out of round. It's just like R&R an motor or trans. and not replacing mounts. You wished you would've replaced them! Either OEM or if money's an issue Monroe makes a very reasonable high quality strut mount hardware kit. DO NOT forget 4 wheel thrust alignment if all four struts are replaced!