Shocks and Struts replacements

[dejavu]

Hello all,

I've decided to give my 2001 QX4 a little more love. She's always been a reliable ride even with 152k miles on the clock. The time has come to replace the shocks and struts. What brand are most people going with? There is a good deal for a complete package of KYB GR2 for less than $200. How much should I expect to pay for the install? thanks.

[pathfinder_se_black]

KYB GR2 are pretty good, how did you get those Q56 rims to fit on your Qx4?

[fueler]

at 156k your stock struts are definitely going to in need of replacing! Personally, I went with the KYB GR2 as it is closest to stock (stock is plain black shock also made by KYB) $200 is a good price for all 4 KYB GR2! Normal pricing is about $100 each for the front and $30 each for the rears. Installation of all 4 would probably be more than the price of the struts themselves. I'm guessing that a reputable shop would want at least $300 for the labor, the front struts are a real pain in the arse. You could do the rears yourself with just hand tools.... the fronts are the real labor. I had a professional grade spring compressor, and 2 other mechanically inclined friends with me, and it was still harder than hell to put back together.

[dejavu]

KYB GR2 are pretty good, how did you get those Q56 rims to fit on your Qx4?

Any good machine shop should be able to bore out the center an additional 1 inch to make it fit. I wanted something different but still have the OEM look. The ride is super smooth with enough rubber to on any terrain.

[dejavu]

KYB GR2 are pretty good, how did you get those Q56 rims to fit on your Qx4?

thanks advice, I'll defintely will leave the install to the pros.

[KoukiS14]

I was quoted 35 bucks a piece for the front strut replacement. The shop seems alright, the guy I spoke to is awesome.......

With that said... I dunno if I trust 'em or not yet. I've replaced struts on 240s and Civics and other small things, but I think a qx4 would really freaking smart if I knocked it over in myself. I dunno... Personally, I'm at the point where I'd about rather take the thing to a shop.

I have one really dead strut, and one dying strut. I'm in the same boat, I'll be replacing all four.

[fueler]

I was quoted 35 bucks a piece for the front strut replacement. The shop seems alright, the guy I spoke to is awesome.......

I would take advantage of that. Make sure you sign an estimate - they probably haven't done any R50's and they think it's easy as any other MacPherson strut! You should authorize the work and let them be in for a surprise! My struts needed a professional grade spring compressor, three strong dudes, a little bit of time, a lot of stressful work, and a bottle of vodka to chill us out afterwards. I was so stressed out that I wanted to kill somebody.

[nissandoms47]

Thats crazy fueler. I did my struts myself and installed AC springs along with them. I cant believe it took 3 guys just to do stock springs..

[KoukiS14]

Well, it was 3 guys like Fueler.

Hey, btw. . welcome back sir!!

[fueler]

Well i've had mine done by a shop once too, and it took two Mexicans a good while. They were struggling too. I did mine in a professional compressor (the kind that is on a stand) and it was ridiculously hard just to get the spring straight to put the top hat on. I can't tell you how many times I had the spring compressed, and had to uncompress it and move the compressor arms. Both sides were the same. I just couldn't get the spring straight.

[KoukiS14]

In summary, I think if you can find a shop that says they'll do it for 35 bucks a side....

[themot]

I had KYB GR2's put on all four corners as replacements for the dead ones. They charged me $500+ for parts/labor. Get the truck back, rides great bit still has clanking noise... one quick look confirms what I suspected... arse's didn't replace the upper strut mount piece (think it's called a strut bearing). I call them and when I tell them they didn't replace the strut bearing they though I was pulling their chain. They told me their is "no such thing" as a strut bearing. heh heh wrong me bucko! Take the car back, show them the strut bearing, then I get "that's not a replaceable part" At this point I was sure common sense would kick in and he would see those three bolts that hold the thing on... nope, so I suggest we call their parts supplier who lays the spank down on them and says "yeah, part number such and such, $44.00 for a pair ...Fast forward an hour and the truck is on the rack, $44.00 worth of parts are showing up, and I am watching them eat a hundred bucks of labor to take the springs and struts off again.

Point of all that... Don't know if it was on your list, but definitely replace the strut bearings or whatever they are, when you replace the struts.

[W O T]

good point, never heard of them before either

My qx4 is making a noise almost like a high pitched bird noise form one corner ( I believe front left) when i hit bumpbs it does a little squeek. Would that be the shock? Or just something needing to be oiled?

[themot]

The squeak is the strut bearing... 95% sure about this, mine had same thing you described. In addition, at very slow speeds 3-15mph going over a speed bump or a sudden jolt you could hear a distinct clank or bump. I could never hear the noise at highway speeds, and I always thought it was the strut. Seems most of the noise was coming from these strut bearings. See these links for the part and pictures. Just don't let those struts go on without replacing these bearings. That would make ME cry!

http://www.drivewire.com/nissa....html

http://www.thepartsbin.com/sit....html

Edit: I was looking at the links, and saw some parts they were calling strut bearings that looked nothing like what I replaced. Just for the record, this is a picture of exactly what the part looks like that I replaced:



Best of luck,

themot