Struts on a J30t

[J-Owner]

Ok fellas,

I have a question concerning struts that I would appreciate some help on. AND yes, I have searched the issue and would like to clarify some previous posts.

FYI on the car. 1995 t with 117,148 miles on it and Ruby (Maroon paint) is my pride and joy.

Anyway, I took the car in today for what I thought would be new front brake pads. Turns out I have 5 mm left so going to wait a while longer despite unexplained early squeeling. Looks like I will get out easy with a fuel injector and throttle body cleaning.

Anyway, I had them check my suspension and stuff and they said that my struts are weak all around and I should consider replacing them to the tune of $1,850 at the dealer. $900 of which is parts. Don't worry, I fully intend to get them for Joe (The Infiniti Savior). What I was wondering is how do I know if they really need replaced?

Everyone has talked about them leaking. How do I tell if they are leaking? I don't have any excessive bouncing, I mean I can tell when I hit bumps but nothing I can't live without, I mean I use to drive a Porsche so I am use to worse bumpiness. Also, people speak of replacing the cartridges on the front and then replace full struts on the back. Allow me to play dumb for a minute, but what is the cartridge? Can someone explain a little more to me please.

Does anyone out there think I can get by for another 12 months without fixing it til I can get a new M45 when the '05's come out. I hate to spend the money knowing I will likely only have the car for another year. Unless I decide to keep it as a second car.

Anyway, some feedback on struts would be helpful guys. As always much appreciation to you all.

Sincerely,Brandon

[Mayhem_J30]

At 117K miles, those struts are gone. When you take them out compare the old ones to the new ones. You can probably compress the old ones with your hands. The new ones...well...no way you could do that with your hands.About the cartridge. I'm not exactly sure why Nissan decided to put this cartridge setup on the front. But what happens when you get a cartridge replacement is the original strut casing stays. You open it up and all this old fluid is drained out and the original parts removed. Then the new cartridge just slides into the old casing. It was the first time I've ever seen anything like that. But if it's cheaper than good.

[J-Owner]

Thanks Chris,

So you CAN use the old strut casing? Also, the dealer said my shocks are still good so I can still use the same shocks, I don't have to buy new ones or anything do I?

I also called Joe yesterday and I can get the cartridges for the front and the rear shocks for $400 less than the dealer and my local shop here Eurosport (Who I trust) can put them in for $391 including alignments.

Total at dealer $1,850. Total by being a NICO member $870. NICO ROCKS!!!!!

Hit me back about the shocks and the strut casing if you have a minute. I appreciate you responding Chris. Have a great day!

Brandon

[J-Owner]

Chris,Never mind about the strut casing. I re-read your previous post and got it.

Duh!

[VimyJ]

Those maroon J's are beautiful. My gold J is going in on Monday for new legs. Thanks to Infiniti of Scottsdale and Joe.

I plan to go at least another 100k or 4 years. Timing belt and suspension should be about due for another change at that point. I hope I can get the transmission to last that long.

[J-Owner]

The Maroon color is awesome but so is gold. The only thing about my color is it shows scratches and people scratch and ding my doors all the time. You can't own a nice car in Dallas. People just have no respect.

I think my worst fear is the transmission going bad. I do all the maintenance and just had it checked again yesterday. It is in super shape. I just don't want to have to spend the money for something like that.

I hope I get a much better ride after the strut replacement. I miss the smooth ride I used to have. To get that back again would be awesome.

Good luck on the new legs for your J. I know she appreciates the service.

[Mayhem_J30]

J-Owner,Do you know who will be installing your new shocks? I'd call around if you order from Joe. I've had problems in the past with shops not wanting to install parts that aren't theirs. Maybe the dealer will still do it (at a premium of course) as long as they're OEM parts.It is worth it to learn how to do it yourself. The J30 seemed like the most difficult strut replacement I've done, but it was also my first. Since then I've done several other cars and trucks in about 90 minutes each.

[Q45tech]

Assume that independents are making 10-15-20% on OEM parts sales and dealers are paying roughly half-60% of retail list.

This is the lost revenue that occurs when they use your parts.

It is only fair to pay them something for their lost revenue.

T3 asks for $20/hr above the standard rate $70>$90.......not the full difference, kind of splitting it down the middle but we save on not having to warranty the part in the future and inventory costs.

You can sometimes find shops that need revenue and may just install at the regular rate [especially those that don't get much discount from dealer due to low volume of purchases].

But this is a double edge sword, if they don't buy much, they don't do much Infiniti work. However, shocks, brakes, belts can be pretty universal in method of replacement.

Always best to at least find a Independent Nissan shop at least they have the tools and similar experiences.....except for the engine and transmission and electronics. If they have a few 300zx TT on the lot you can feel safer.......these guys talk and just don't let anybody work on their cars!

[Q45tech]

Hope everybody understands that the labor charges are just half the required gross of running a shop.............any profit comes from parts sales less inventory and warranty costs.

Asking someone to just breakeven on your work [by supplying your own parts] is pretty pushy...[a mild word]...........like all the people that go to a junkyard and ask that used parts be installed then expect you to warranty them.

[J-Owner]

The independent shop I use has done alot of work on my car when the dealer tries to screw me. I do trust them and they have no problem with me supplying the parts.

I actually financed the business with an SBA loan when he started about five years ago. He ran another shop here in town working on all types of imports and he is very familiar with Infiniti's. I do trust him. Ordinarily I would purchase the parts through him but he just buys them from Crest which is who I am trying to avoid. So, the parts are almost half the price if I get them from Joe.

Labor at Crest (dealer) would be about $1,000. Where as my guy is about $400 with an alignment included. Total at dealer almost $1,900. Total my way about $850. Better deal in my opinion.

As far as d-y-i. I wish I was as talented as you guys at fixing this stuff myself, but i doubt that ever happens. I just don't have the time or the equipment and me under a car trying to fix something is trouble waiting to happen.

I am a mastermind in the finance industry but fall way short when it comes to automobiles. That is why I rely on people like you guys who are Infiniti loyal to stear me in the right direction once and a while.

As always I appreciate you all!!

Brandon

[maxnix]

As far as d-y-i. I wish I was as talented as you guys at fixing this stuff myself, but i doubt that ever happens. - Brandon

So d-y-i = Do Yourself In?

I remember your insightful posts on credit scoring. Should be turned into an article and posted there for people who finance.

[J-Owner]

Oops!

Sorry about that. I was typing fast before a meeting. I meant to say D-I-Y (Do it yourself).

Later,B