Shocks are coming soon..... What else should I do?

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Well, after waiting for like 2 months, my tockico blues front shocks are finally coming, in 6 days....... I need to order some rack dust boots anyway, so what else should be done while im in there..... Tension rods and links??? Transverse links???

Also, I know what camber and caster is, but what is "kingpin"??? I was looking at the FSM, and always wondered what it was......

Post by **Q45tech** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

The king pin is a critical tapered bearing [pin] that allows the knuckle to rotate [turn for steering]. Interface between the third link [which supports the upper link] and the knuckle.The KP has an upper and lower bearing which usually wear first, before the hardened steel pin which sits in a socket supported by its bearings.

After you have replaced a few upper links [every 30k] any residual slack/movement is the KP or its bearings. Usually last 120k or so.

If after an upper link replacement the camber is still out of the center spec.......either the shock tower has bent, the traverse arm bushing is worn and compressed inward, or more likely the third link is bent or a combo of all three.Each 0.1 degree of camber is roughly 0.05" of error depending on where it is.

You have to sit down and study an accurate alignment pint out to decide what and where to fix what.

Making a 10-13 year old car behave as new will require lots of replacement parts.

Whenever the transmission mount crushes every year or less replace the motor mounts as there are only 3 things supporting the combination weight.

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Lets say im on a limited budget, so what are the most important (top 3 maybe) suspension components to replace (besides shocks)

Post by **911/Q45** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Upper links, tension rods, sway bar bushings, tie rod ends, steering rack boots. (Bushings and boots are cheap)

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Does anyone know how much T-rods and upper links are from joe.......

Post by **slaughtermimms** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

elwesso, its me again, by chance I have the bushings for the Tension rods that I got form Joe new never used. Mine were fixed under warranty,so I do not need them. email me

Look into put on these new parts:

Front upper spring seats 55034-60U05Front spacer gasket 54329-60U00 (no-active)dust cover 56240-60U05 (no-active)Stop bumper 55248-2Y000 (no-active)Upper Bushing 56217-71L00 (no-active)Lower Bushing 56218-71L00 (no-active)

elwesso, I am only saying do it now while your in there. Let me know about the bushing, one way or the other, THANKS!

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

This is what I have as of now......

The shocks (well, coming), dust boots, and the insulator top things.......

I am not personally doing the work, so if there are some bushings and stuff that need replacing, Ill have this done too......

I had to take all of my will to let someone else to this (the higher authorities wouldnt let me do this one)......

Post by **slaughtermimms** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

elwesso wrote:This is what I have as of now......

The shocks (well, coming), dust boots, and the insulator top things.......

I am not personally doing the work, so if there are some bushings and stuff that need replacing, Ill have this done too......

I had to take all of my will to let someone else to this (the higher authorities wouldnt let me do this one)......

elwesso, use the list I gave you, if you get the parts from Joe it will be cheaper!:ylsuper

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Thanks slaughter.......

Do the actual tension rods go bad, or is it the bushing inside it that goes bad.......

Post by **slaughtermimms** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

elwesso wrote:Thanks slaughter.......

Do the actual tension rods go bad, or is it the bushing inside it that goes bad.......

The tension rods do not good bad just the bushing, I got these from Joe. Then, I found out my warranty covered mine. So I do not need them. If you or anyone else is interested?:icesangel

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Does anyone know how much labor it is to put in bushings like that??? Ill ponder about that, slaughter.........

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

With the right tools it shouldn't take more than 5-10 minuites for each bushing, once they're off the car. New rubber is critical. In addition to slaughter's list, don't forget about sway bar bushings. If you have the time and/or money, replace the rear steering knuckle bushings and ball joint (HICAS) too.

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Ok...... So if my understanding is correct, most of the actual suspensions metal components dont go bad, but all the rubber stuff does....... Except for upper links.

Maybe when I order my new dust boots Ill just order all the bushings and gaskets...... I would assume it wouldnt add more than an hour to my labor costs for them to put new rubber on........

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

What goes bad in the upper links is, again, rubber bushings. But the bushings alone can't be replaced because of the way the links are manufactured...you have to buy new links. New rubber in the shocks shouldn't add any labor at all. If someone says it does, ask them to explain why.

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

So if I call Joe up tomorrow and ask him for ALL the suspension bushings and stuff, any idea on cost......

(i vaguely remember posting something about this sometime back, but I couldnt find it)

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

The bushings themselves are pretty cheap, maybe $4-5 each. But there's quite a few of them if you count the ones for the sway bars (8 each), so they add up pretty quick. Very roughly, from memory:Spring hats $20 eachspacers $18 each (front or back, can't remember)dust boots $20 each.

I'd say if you replaced everything rubber in all the shocks, and did the sway bars too, you'd be looking at around $300 for parts, plus the struts themselves. Probably more than you anticipated, but I did them all at once and the ride is unbelievable.

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

I already have the boots, and the insulator tops...... Plus, while Im at it, I might as well get new links........

I figure do it once, do it right....... Plus, ive got the money, which I may not later on.......

So to install ALL those things (bushings, gaskets, links, etc), how much extra labor are we lookin at...... Plus, would the independent shop be able to do it..... And have the tools...... I dont know if they have any Q experience, but there ASE certified, and AC delco certified........

Ill be sure to print out a copy of the FA and RA sections to make sure they do it right.........

Post by **Q451990** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Upper links are about $95 each from Joe.

Heath

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Well...... I did it.......

Ordered everything but the insulator mounts and dust boots (already had those)........ 283.xx.......... I cant wait to get these babies in there!!!

Post by **liff** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

who is the Joe that keeps getting mentioned for good deals aon suspension parts??

[email protected]

Post by **Rex** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

When it comes to getting great parts at great prices from a great guy ....

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....d=313

Post by **AZhitman** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Upper links, tension rod bushings, other bushings, and most suspension parts: Call Joe.

Springs and Tokico shocks: Call Alex at Southwest Autoworks (advertiser).

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

AZhitman wrote:Upper links, tension rod bushings, other bushings, and most suspension parts: Call Joe.

Springs and Tokico shocks: Call Alex at Southwest Autoworks (advertiser).

AZHitman, try to talk me into the springs, when I put in the Blues, this winter. I like the ride of my car now, but there is a lot of suspension travel, and I know the shocks are wasted. The FSTB really tightened the steering.

I put lower springs on my '95 Maxima. OK, but the ride got tiring, on long trips.

I put coil overs on my '93 Honda. Hated them! Back hurt all the time.

I drive the Q 2 to 4 hours a day, and don't wat to be sorry for messing up the great ride, just want to improve the handeling, when I am sweeping around corners, and changing lanes. The lowered stance kinda looks cool, too.

I am in the same boat as elwesso, as far as needing struts, and bushings. I have new tension rods, ready to go in, but need all the parts from Joe.

[quote=" elwesso Ordered everything but the insulator mounts and dust boots (already had those)........ 283.xx.......... I cant wait to get these babies in there!!![/quote] Elwesso, post the parts list for me.

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:06 pm

Jeff...... I wouldnt recommend getting the eibachs........ I dont want to change anything about the ride I have now...... Ill compromise some handling for a good ride....... Everything is perfect...... All I want to add to the suspension is some good tires and a rear sway bar........ :drooling

Heres my latest parts list (doesnt include dust boots or insulator tops)(everything is x2 unless otherwise mentioned)

Upper link- 54525-66u20 $94.90 Tension rod bushing- 54476-35F20 $18.25Stabilizer bar bushings- 56112-V0100Bushing- 56112-A0100Stabilizer bushing- 54613-60U11

I wouldnt get new springs unless yours are worn out...... And if their not sagging, then their probably fine......

Shocks are coming soon..... What else should I do?

Shocks are coming soon..... What else should I do?

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