Recent projects - front suspension, motor mounts, oil pan gasket

[Stvo]

Finally finished my recent projects (and it was a bit chilly down here in TX on Wednesday at 4am).

Upper linksThird links (no kingpin)Lower control armsTension rod bushings (VIN lists non-active - actual rods/bushings are for active)Front stabilizer (anti sway bar) rubberFront stabilizer (anti sway bar) connecting rod and rubberPower steering gear housing rubberMotor mountsOil pan gasket (kicking myself now for not looking for a magnet, although there was nothing mentioned in the FSM)Oil strainer o-ring (thanks for the advice on that one. the original was brittle and flat)

When I first started her up (after 3 weeks of sitting), there was quite the knocking and I was thinking it wasn't getting oil into the lifters (?), but after some time, she quieted down.

I replace the transmission mounts several months ago and hoped the new motor mounts and tension rods would make this thing drive 'like butter', as I've heard these cars can do. I didn't notice much difference, if any, and still have a bit of vibration....although I'm taking it in for another alignment (when I return from vacation) after all of this recent work.

2 vibrations - 1st vibration is minor and is felt during regular driving (any momentum, not idle). There may be some sweet spots, but I haven't recorded them. 2nd vibration is during hard braking. I rebuilt the rear calipers a few months ago and had the front disks cut (rears were too thin), but no change. Next will be the front caliper rebuild.

I also have a knock sensor error, which may be a culprit? Also heard that the driveshaft could cause vibration?...maybe wheel bearings? More reading ahead when I return.

Heard a slight/quiet knock possibly from the right side, mainly when I turn or hit a bump. Thinking something may be loose (rrrghh!) - will have to investigate further or mention it when they do the alignment.

Stabilizer rubber

Stabilizer Connecting Rods and Rubber

Upper Links

Third Links and Tension Rodshttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zer...49416

Lower Control Arms

Motor Mounts

Oil Pan

[qship96]

Great Job!!!!! Wow those upper links were shot! How did you replace the third link without installing new kingpin, I thought it came as an assembly from Nissan?

[Stvo]

thanks! No, the third links do not come with kingpins, as other posts mention and as I expected. So, the link just fit on top of the kingpin.

More pics and explanations in my last post.... zer...49416

[goody90q45]

I replaced the transmission mounts several months ago and hoped the new motor mounts and tension rods would make this thing drive 'like butter.....I didn't notice much difference, if any, and still have a bit of vibration.....

Since you still have vibration I've got to ask....When you say the transmission mounts were replaced- There's only one transmission mount (AKA 3rd engine mount) so did you replace the transmission mount and the 2 exhaust hangers, or just the hangers, or just the mount? If you replaced just the hangers the mount could be the source of the vibration.

Good job on the R & R. It's not a cheap undertaking at about $100 for each part that's replaced. I'm curious how high the engine had to be raised to change the engine mounts? and the oil pan? How did you lift it?

[Stvo]

Hey Mike, I replaced the transmission mount and the 2 exhaust hangers - sorry to be unclear earlier.

Thanks! The whole project was costly, but at 211k miles (original transmission), and none of this having been done previously (from what I can tell), I wanted to get it back to as new as possible. I held the transmission and engine with a jack, where they meet, as well as a jack on the a/c compressor (when I could), and on the p/s. Enough pressure/lift was given to remove the crossmember and do all of the work. I wasn't going to do the oil pan until I read that the crossmemeber had to be removed. So, I figured I should do that while it was off.

Do you think I may have done something wrong in all of this? Quite possible for this novice...

[Q45tech]

Everything rubber isolated is worn out [changed parameters] by 100k or 7 years.

No way to avoid this FACT.After 20 years and 325k I've replaced some things more than twice. 6 sets of shocks [boots, and assorted other components added] and tension rods.

Just like tires and brake pads a never ending work process.

The only thing not replaced was rear hubs, rear dust shields, and half shafts and engine plus steering rack and pump.

[goody90q45]

.....Do you think I may have done something wrong in all of this? Quite possible for this novice...

Everything you've done is righty-tighty, lefty-loosey so it would be pretty hard to screw something up. Hopefully the alignment will solve the problem. Are all 8 injectors in spec?

[Stvo]

I don't know how to check the specs of the injectors, so I will do some reading on this and check them when I return. Thanks!

[paranoidjack]

The only thing not replaced was rear hubs, rear dust shields, and half shafts and engine plus steering rack and pump.

Beautiful.