From what I understood, these used to be a dealer only item, not sure if that is the case any longer? Is Sewell the best place to order from and get a discount for being a NICO member? What is our discount btw? Sewell has them listed on the parts catalog for $205.06 a side just for the front struts! http://infiniti.sewellparts.com/oem-cat ... -2003.html

Whatever happened to EverythingInfiniti.com?

Any other options or available improvements?

Thanks!

How about IOS? (Infiniti of Scottsdale)

Also...what the indicator that yours were bad?

Try http://www.InfinitiPartsUSA.com for prices. I'm 99% certain OEM is the only option unless a brand has recently created a cheaper aftermarket strut/shock.

I can hear banging over bumps in the strut mounts up front. Could be the links but I think the strut mounts are bad, and assumingly the struts as well? Can anyone confirm the discount forum members receive at either location, Sewell or InfinitiPartsUSA?

I also need to do the trunk strut mod and need to search that old thread.

Yes, www.infinitipartsusa.com is the place to get them - link is in my SIG. We all get very good prices from them and great service, although there aren't any special NICO discounts per se.

And, unfortunately, there are NO known inexpensive alternatives to the OEM struts for the 2003 and 2004 M45. However, there is a coil-over replacement available from Japan from a company called Insurance, as I recall, but the $2600 to $3000 price for a set of four (and more for installation costs, plus future replacement costs) makes this a bit of a non-option (for me anyway).

Z

I guess I'll get them there and see what they can do for me, maybe a website forum discount of maybe 10%? If not, no big deal. What makes no sense is that the left and right aren't even the same price?! See below...

I have seen strut mounts offered elsewhere (RockAuto.com) and may decide to replace them with what they offer for $15 instead of the $54.99 Infiniti wants. I must say that I have put 34,000 mostly trouble free miles on this car and am happy to put some OEM quality parts back into it to get many more enjoyable miles with it. Car still turns heads and get noticed! Mine is the kinda rare Garnet Fire with chrome wheels and black interior.

[ 3 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / STRUT
strut M45; Right; 2WD; w/o Sport Pkg.

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$253.55 $0.00 $63.39 $190.16

[ 3 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / STRUT
strut M45; Left; 2WD; w/o Sport Pkg.

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$230.50 $0.00 $57.63 $172.88

Actually, RockAuto only sells the strut mount bushing, not the entire unit. $7.50 each, a pair for $15.

2003 INFINITI M45 4.5L V8 : Suspension : Strut Mount Bushing Wiki Price
MEVOTECH Part # MP903911 More Information About this Part {#903911, MK9775} Strut Mounting Kit
[Flag indicates this part fits vehicles sold in the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles sold in the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] Rear

Part Image
$7.50

RaceFan wrote:I guess I'll get them there and see what they can do for me, maybe a website forum discount of maybe 10%? If not, no big deal. What makes no sense is that the left and right aren't even the same price?! See below...

I have seen strut mounts offered elsewhere (RockAuto.com) and may decide to replace them with what they offer for $15 instead of the $54.99 Infiniti wants. I must say that I have put 34,000 mostly trouble free miles on this car and am happy to put some OEM quality parts back into it to get many more enjoyable miles with it. Car still turns heads and get noticed! Mine is the kinda rare Garnet Fire with chrome wheels and black interior.

[ 3 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / STRUT
strut M45; Right; 2WD; w/o Sport Pkg.

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$253.55 $0.00 $63.39 $190.16

[ 3 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / STRUT
strut M45; Left; 2WD; w/o Sport Pkg.

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$230.50 $0.00 $57.63 $172.88

The front left and right struts are indeed different, but I would have expected the price to be same (or certainly very similar), so I am also confused. Hmmm ...

The rear left and right struts are identical, AFAIK, so the same price for sure on those.

Z

Okay, I figured it out ... you are looking at the 2006+ M45 parts (although I still cannot explain the difference in the price per se), not the 2003 M45.

The left and front struts for the 2003 are both $178 each. Please make sure that you ordered the correct part! I hope this post is in time ...

[ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STRUTS & COMPONENTS / Strut
strut Right

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$237.33 $0.00 $59.33 $178.00

[ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STRUTS & COMPONENTS / Strut
strut Left

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$237.33 $0.00 $59.33 $178.00

Z

What other parts will need to be replaced with the struts/shocks

nuge wrote:What other parts will need to be replaced with the struts/shocks

Generally, it is best to replace the rubber dust covers over the shocks if they are torn or cracked - for some reason, they are called "bumpers" (I forget whether for front or rear) in the parts catalog.

I don't know about anything else on the Y34 ... will find out soon since I am finally having the work done on my car. Waited way longer than I should have!

Z

Let me know what you end up replacing. I am in the process of getting the parts so I can have a shop do the work. I was lucky enough to find a set of brand new Eibach Springs on Ebay. So I will also be replacing the springs. I want to have everything in hand so that there is no down time for the car, while we are waiting for parts to be shipped.

I also found some after market shocks for the rear. Nothing yet for the fronts:


Monroe 5632 OESpectrum Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Black, Twin-tube, Shock absorber, Direct fit

Part #: TS5632 | Mfr #: 5632

nuge wrote:I also found some after market shocks for the rear. Nothing yet for the fronts:


Monroe 5632 OESpectrum Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Black, Twin-tube, Shock absorber, Direct fit

Part #: TS5632 | Mfr #: 5632

I just saw those recently too - don't know how good they are, of course, but the brand is good.

The rear shocks are simple tube shock absorbers, so easy to find a close/exact replacement, I suspect. The fronts are not this way, though - quite unique to our cars.

Z

I need to replace my front struts on my 2004 M45 and these are now priced at $307.44 each from infinitipartsusa.com. wow

Shock and strut replacement on the 2003 & 2004 M45's is an economical NIGHTMARE!

Going with OEM fronts ($572/pair)
and KYB(350Z) or Monroe rears ($100(KYB) or $300(Monroe)/pair)

plus all the necessary one-time-use parts and front and rear mounts ($710):
2x 56217-AM001 BUSH-REAR $9.47 = $18.94
2x 54040-AG300 SEAT ASSY $49.70 = $99.40 (rear mounts)
2x 54320-AR00A INSUL STR $145.60 = $291.20 (front mounts)
2x 54322-4P701 BRACKET-F $29.05 = $58.10
2x 54329-10V00 SPACER-FR $20.75 = $41.50
2x 56218-AG000 BUSH-REAR $10.57 = $21.14
2x 55322-AG00A BRACKET A $46.38 = $92.76
2x 55323-AR00A TUBE-RR M $9.27 = $18.54
2x 55338-AG001 SEAL-SHOC $34.64 = $69.28

then the install and alignment ($670-ish)

i added SPC rear camber/toe arm kit cause of TEIN lowering springs ($200) +$150-install

I'm at roughly $2400

yes, i said it: TWENTY-FOUR-HUNDRED DOLLARS!
and that still doesn't include the bumper/bellows you'll need to protect your new shocks and struts. I brought the KYB bellows and gotta see if they'll work

Be prepared...

my car has only 79K-miles and was lowered on TEIN Springs at 56K-miles in 2009

I love my M, but DAMN! the parts cost a mint of money