Replacing Flywheel

[q45t96]

My starter motor makes a nerve racking grinding noise every so often. I had the starter motor replaced and it still makes that horrible noise. There must be a tooth in the flywheel missing or something. How difficult a job is it to replace and approximately what will it cost? Also, are there any other items I should be looking to replace at the same time? My 96 "Q" has about 97,000 miles on it.

[Q45tech]

Flywheel replacement is no different from rear seal replacement [flywheel gets unbolted in process].Exhaust, Drive shaft, and transmission removal required 5-6 hours plus flywheel.

Recommend rear seal replacement at same time, exhaust rubber hangers and transmission rubber mount would be easy at same time.

[Q451990]

Might also check the turbine revolution sensor at the same time for leaks... they tend to leak or fail and cause another transmission removal. You might try to live with it until transmission replacement time if it doesn't happen too often...

Heath

[Q45tech]

The turbine sensor leaks becauase acidic ATF destroys the seal.........proof positive of abusive ownership.....not changing ATF when it changes color!

[q45t96]

I appreciate the information. Qtech, you said it would be 5-6 hours, what would this mean in terms of dollars at your shop. Approximately. Thanks Again

[Q45tech]

Sitting home [don't have a price on flywheel] guess $600-$700.....we probably have a used one on a bad engine lying around..........pretty rare we did see a improperly replaced starter which ripped a piece off of the starter snout never seen but one bad flywheel in 7 years..........but you gotta take things apart to see. Was the replacement starter changed at dealer [using only oem parts or some junky remanned?]

[q45t96]

I purchased the starter from infiniti of Scottdale and had it replaced by an independent tech. Closest infiniti dealer is 125 miles away in Las Vegas. All parts are OEM. I don't know what else it could be other than the flywheel. I am guessing that the previous owner may have damaged it. I have owned since 45,000 miles and now have 97,000 and it has been a long term problem. I may just live with it as it only happens about one out of 30 to 50 starts. It is just unnerving when it does happen. Also, I don't want to have to continually replace starters. Although, the previous starter was probably fine, I was just hoping to stop the noise. If it doesn't damage it to continue operating, I will likely wait until I have to get in there for some other reason. Thanks again for all the info.

[qship96]

My 96q has had the same problem since 22000 miles,now has 108000 on the clock.Dealer could never "duplicate" problem whenever it was in for service,until the warranty ran out-they want aprox 1400 to replace starter and flywheel,infiniti refuses to accept any responsibility,even though complaint was documented by me at least 6 times while under warranty-this definitly will affect my choice in staying with infiniti when it comes time to replace the much loved q.