Strut tower brace

[bruce2]

Hi there, would you advice me if there a strut brace that is compatible with my 91Q45? Or is their one require light mods and how?

I have been communicating to a forum member who used to make braces for over a year but he has been too busy to get to it.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[maxnix]

I have one of Jeff's original never used condition. I'll have to look it up to see how much I paid for it.

[bruce2]

maxnix, I'll take it. thanks! Can't wait to hear back from you.

[maxnix]

Let me find it and the old invoice.

[elwesso]

Hit up my friend Paul (3rd Q on the forum). Tell him Wes sent you

[email protected]

[bruce2]

Thanks Wes for the source. I just email Paul to see what will come up just in case Brian can't found his. Brian, I am still on. Thanks.

[bruce2]

Brian, how is going? Have you found the part? You don't have to find the original receive, just let me know how much it costs, shipping cost and how you like me to pay you. Thanks again.

[bruce2]

Hi Thanks Wes. Paul kindly hooked me up with one. Looks great! Just have it installed and will test drive tomorrow.

I like to ask anyone with a strut brace installed on their Q can feel a significant benefit on the handling?

When I install the brace, I couldn't help notice there are only 2 bolts to tie down the absorber instead of 3 in other vehicles. After inspection, I realize that the suspensions are not Macpherson struts, instead they are coilovers. So without struts, it defeats the purpose of the strut braces. However, the brace could contribute to stiffen the body frame. So... what you think?

[Q451990]

You're right on... you're stiffening the body flex between the strut towers. I remember noticing a pretty big difference. I'm not sure if it was real or perceived, but I seemed to notice the rear end "wag" from my lack of a rear anti sway bar more. I later got the front and rear active bars, and that made a big difference.

Heath

[bruce2]

Q451990, thanks for the feedback. I'll test drive and report back after done replacing the coolant and differential gear oil.

I have notice on your sig that you are selling a 1993 1st gear start TCU. I am interested in getting it if still available. I have just pm you on this matter. Thanks and looking forward to hear from you.

[bruce2]

Test drove today. The brace must has been helping because when I make a sharp turn the tires feel like crumbling underneath and less leaning over. I don't have performance tires on it.


Now can anyone let me know where are the two coolant drain plugs on the block? Thanks.

[Q-ZILLA]

Now can anyone let me know where are the two coolant drain plugs on the block? Thanks.

Because it's special? I don't know but I did, one time, have a bug to flush and refill my coolant myself. After about 30 or so minutes of frustration, trying to figure how to get to it all; I took it in to get flushed... Some things on this car are just not worth the aggravation. Speaking of shock mounts and frustration; never bother to order shock mounts from ANYWHERE except an Infiniti dealer. Been there, done that, they always come with three holes and obviously never fit...

[bruce2]

You are right John, you really need some small hand and twisted tools to get to it. Here are the plugs, I think; took me a while to found them.


Driver side


Passenger side

Since dealerships are hr and hr and 1/2 away, plus not too confident with local mx shops, I try to do it by drain and refill with distill water until it clear. However, the radiator drains only little more then 3/4 gal out of 2 3/4 gal. For a 50/50 mix, I think I least need to open one of the block plugs. Another way without touching those plugs is to drain and refill with 2 gal of coolant try to reach the concentration. So what you guys think.

[Q-ZILLA]

A real pleasure to get to. I couldn't get to it easy enough, but then again, I can be impatient at times... Good luck!

[bruce2]

So here is how I figure this out:

1st 3/4 gal of coolant drain and refill or 2 3/4 gal will give a concentration of 27%.

For that, concentration = 100x(.75/2.75) = 27%

2nd time will add another 27% which gives 54% concentration.

2 drain and refill takes 1.5 gal of coolant and direct mix will take 1.38 gal. So, there is only .12 gal is being wasted vs massing with those 2 hidden plugs. Goal achieved!

Correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

[Q-ZILLA]

I use 33% coolant mix w/ distilled water. The manual recommends 30%.

[goody90q45]

So here is how I figure this out:

1st 3/4 gal of coolant drain and refill or 2 3/4 gal will give a concentration of 27%.

For that, concentration = 100x(.75/2.75) = 27%

2nd time will add another 27% which gives 54% concentration.

2 drain and refill takes 1.5 gal of coolant and direct mix will take 1.38 gal. So, there is only .12 gal is being wasted vs massing with those 2 hidden plugs. Goal achieved!

Correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

I would think you would want to get rid of all the old coolant before you start adding new antifreeze. By my calcs, if you're draining 27% of the fluid with every drain (0.75 gallon/2.75 gallon) it will take 8 drain and fills with distilled water only (6 gallons total) to get the concentration of old fluid to new fluid down to about 10% (90% new distilled water). From there you add 0.75 gallons of 100% antifreeze after each drain and after 3 drain and fills you'll be close to the 50% concentration you're looking for.

[bruce2]

I use 33% coolant mix w/ distilled water. The manual recommends 30%.

According to the following chart, you are good for 0 F provided that your radiator cap rating is 15PSI, good to go at the southern states. There also emphesize to keep the concentration close to 50/50.

http://www.waynesgarage.com/docs/engine_coolant.htm

I would think you would want to get rid of all the old coolant before you start adding new antifreeze. By my calcs, if you're draining 27% of the fluid with every drain (0.75 gallon/2.75 gallon) it will take 8 drain and fills with distilled water only (6 gallons total) to get the concentration of old fluid to new fluid down to about 10% (90% new distilled water). From there you add 0.75 gallons of 100% antifreeze after each drain and after 3 drain and fills you'll be close to the 50% concentration you're looking for.

Thanks for turning my thinking cap on. I can't see how you come up with 3 drain and refill to get it close to 50%.

Here I try again with the factor I overlooked at first. Don't laugh, I had my algebra 3 decades ago. Lol

I would likely doing more then 8 drain and refill to get it down to 1 digit % before adding coolant.

Using US qt as unit, the ratio is 3qt to 11qt.

1st drain and refill with 100% coolant yields 27% concentration.
2nd drain and refill becomes: [3x27% + 8x(27+27)%]/11= (81+432)%/11= 46.6%

So, guys, if I failed my algebra, I am going to buy a tester and another expensive gal of coolant.

[goody90q45]

You didn't fail and your math is correct. Two drain and fills give you a 46.6% concentration. For the 3rd drain take out about a quart, add a quart of antifreeze and your just above 50% concentration and have only used a total of 7 qts. of antifreeze to get there.

[bruce2]

Oops, the weather turns cold to the 30ish at night for the rest of the week; so resume next week.

It is a long process to drain and fill until clear. I just took over a week to get my daughter's car done as she goes to school everyday and I drained and filled it every night.

Good news is that the Q will expel more then 3/4 qt of coolant when engine is hot which would make the job easier.

Thanks guys.

[Q-ZILLA]

So Bruce, were you actually able to get your hands on the block plugs?

[bruce2]

John, I believe I will be able to get to the plugs if I try. But now I learn that I'll be able to drain and fill to get to the desired concentration so I decide to do a multiple d and f without even jacking up the car though it will take a while and lots of distill water.

If I go for the plugs I know there are surprise waiting to happen as always which comes with frustrations. Such as, let's say, coolant all over my face and everywhere, dropping the plugs into a crack, strip a thread, debris fall into the block, leaking coolant, knocking something else loose or burst knuckles sort of things. Really try not to deal with if I don't have to.

Just as simple as change differential oil the other day; raise the car, remove the drain plug, drain gear oil, reinstall drain plug, remove filler plug, refill gear oil.... simple enough? Nooo...

When I am ready to put that pointed bottle to the filler hole and realize there is not enough room to turn the bottle and I squeeze the bottle nothing came out. Actually the problem is I forgot to peal off the paper stopper from the bottle and jump into conclusion. So got me a long tube and stick it into the filler hole through the wheel well to outside and starts to squeeze the oil into the other end of the tube. It went really slow, so I decide to cut open the bottom of the bottle to make it go faster and without squeezing. As it is going well the bottle suddenly slip off the tube so I instinctively turn the bottle up and the oil is spilling from both end; worst of all, I didn't know which way I should turn the bottle at that moment. After I got in control of the bottle and clean up, I got me a funnel and get it going again. Almost done, I heard dripping so I was happy it is over, but when I look, the tube had come out of the hole and spill about a 1/2 qt on the floor. After cleaning up, went to the Autozone and no more Mobil1 synthetic 75W90 on the shelf. So I have to drive another 30 mile to get one. Finally done.
Next day, because the smell of gear oil was everywhere, my wife thought it was gas leak and call the gas company. The guy came out and really found a slow leak on the flexible pipe connecting the stove. So I took off from work to fix the leak. I really don't know if I should be glad for my stumbles.

Hope this is funny to you. Nite.

[Q-ZILLA]

Actually, it is funny, because I'm pretty sure all of us on here that DO work on our cars, have made "rookie mistakes."

I've taken the rear end of my car out 5 times total, pretty proficient at it now. Advanced has a tube with a screw lid for the oil in the diff problem. Yellow multi-size screw cap, clear tube with a black cap. Worth having.

Here's one for you... I put 4.08 gears in the rear end and installed the VSS, vehicle speed sensor in the transmission, no problem. Had some issues with the 4.08's, so I got a set of 4.11's out of Australia. After about a week, got the speed pinon for the 4.11's. Jacked up the front, removed the VSS and splash... dumped about a quart or so of transmission fluid on the side of my face, in my hair, on my shirt, etc., not to mention the puddle to clean up on the floor. DUH, I was so excited to put it in, because it is pretty simple, that I forgot to put the back up on jackstands as well, to keep it level. That's a rookie mistake!

Thankfully I do have manuals, book and pdf, so I usually don't do s*** like that. Usually when I'm excited, in a hurry. I'm sure it won't be the last incident, but I'm trying to keep them to a minimum. So in my case, I'll laugh with you, not at you!

[IThaJ0kaI]

I have always just taken the thermostat out and used an air line with a plumbing cap to push the air from one side of the radiator all the way through the motor and out of the open spot for the thermostat. Then just refill with your desired mix, and you're golden.

[bruce2]

Thanks for the suggestion. To my understanding, you basically blow into the top hose toward the radiator and the coolant will all come out where the thermostat was? So, what is the plumping cap looks alike? Is it home made or can be picked up from part store or hardware store? If you have a picture of it would be really helpful. Would a 3 gl 100 psi max compressor work? Thanks gain.

[IThaJ0kaI]

http://www.swimmingpooltoys.net/images/PVC_T-Cap.jpg

I just picked up one of these from lowes/homedepot that was the closest fit over the radiator inlet/outlet. Drill a small hole in it for the air gun to spray into, tape around the cap to the radiator so it gets a decent seal( just used electrical tape and did a few rings around.)

And yes 100psi should be more than enough to spray the water out, it will leave some residual water in the jackets but not enough to worry about.

[Infinitiguy19]

And yes 100psi should be more than enough to spray the water out, it will leave some residual water in the jackets but not enough to worry about.

Wasn't the cooling system built for ~14 PSI? Wouldn't 100 PSI blow the head gasket up?

[IThaJ0kaI]

And yes 100psi should be more than enough to spray the water out, it will leave some residual water in the jackets but not enough to worry about.

Wasn't the cooling system built for ~14 PSI? Wouldn't 100 PSI blow the head gasket up?

Not that I know of, I use my 60gal 140psi compressor to blow out my coolant from the engine. There wont be much pressure, as the other side of the system is open. The air is just to push the water out.