Sub Frame Blues!

[OLU40]

Would you guys recommend getting bushings for the sub-frame on a 94 Q from a junkyard or go for broke and get THE WHOLE FRAME. I think it's retarded because my frame is fine but there is nothing wrong with saving money. As long as it doesnt have negative effects. Palmer, Tech, guys? ( Thank god it's not the drive shaft) We put it on the lift and it vibrated on the rear frame at 20-30. Checked the right bushing and it is pretty much gone. Sound normal?

[Q45tech]

When was the car in a rear end collision?The drive shaft would have been a less expensive repair.Even if you could get a new silicone filled bushing how can you press it in without damage on the car. The subframe ,diff, arms will have to be removed, and the whole thing done on the floor.

I changed my rear subframe at 200,000 miles seem to remember the cost for the unit was $500-600 then it took 2 of us 6 hours.

Need a lift and and transmission jack TABLE to lower while raising the car and the converse.

How are the bushings in the suspension arms and hubs ...vibration will wear them all fast.......I'll bet the old subframe is not 100% straight as miles will deflect the camber and toe eccentric mount tabs.

You might buy the whole rear subframe and diff suspension arms hubs brakes etc for $700 used lots of spares for future work.

[OLU40]

Good question Dennis. The car may have been in a rear end collision but I have no evidence of it. After an alignment recently I felt the vibration from th e bushing! I know about the procedure with droping the differential, etc. We are throwing it on the lift which is why I thought I could use a bushing from another Q. Now you have me thinking about changing the bushings in the hubs and suspension arms too. They want 472 +or- at Scottsdale. 650 in NY!!!!!:eek: Guess I have no choice huh?

[DenverQ]

Speaking of rear end collisions, the wifes car got clobered by a 73 chevy pickup and it slid into mine it didnt crak the bumer or anyhting on mine but her backend is gone. I was wondering how hard of a hit would it take to damge the subframe?

[Q45tech]

Anytime you have to replace the rear bumper the subframe will eventually fail. Unfortunately it doesn't fail soon so you need to get a written warranty from your [their] insurance company that should the subframe fail in the future 3-4 years it will be covered retroactively.

Roughly 8% of the 90-93 Q I see have a leaky bushing most admit to or we see that it has been hit in the rear......maybe the brakes were too good when they were new compared to others of that era!

Good luck on getting this as they just might total your car if you push it due to the roughly $1200 extra.

This is a problem on 97 and later Q [other cars also] as they have a front subframe too!

[DenverQ]

well it didnt even dent or crack the bumper i should assume im safe?

[PalmerWMD]

I just had a hit in the rear, strong enought o bend some sheet metal (on corner).Inspection showed no evidence of damage.

Fred...

[92q45]

My left rear subframe bushing (in front of the tire) is leaking. I've never been rear ended. However, I tow a motorcycle to the track. Sometimes it's 6-7 hours one way. I'm easy on the car when towing... no rapid accel/decels. Don't know if this is even a factor. I've got 97K on a 1992 Q45 that I've had since 1996.I'm told by Infiniti of Scottsdale that Infiniti doesn't sell just one bushing and I have to replace the whole subframe. They showed me the subframe and discribed the job. I might be able to do it but would rather not. And it might require 2 people. Is there any aftermarket parts available or should I just watch it? I have no symptoms yet. Noticed it when I changed the rear end fluid.

[greg_atlanta]

Towing anything with a Q45 is generally bad because of the rear subframe. Also hard on the transmission. How heavy is the motorcycle trailer?

It's a big job.

[92q45]

The trailer is about 400 lbs. I mainly tow one bike. It weighs something under 400 lbs. But I have towed 2 bikes each around 400 lbs...plus tools and extra fuel. The manual specifies a towing limit, and I'm well below that. The tow hitch is from Uhaul and I'm well below their tow limit.I've installed a B&M Transmission Cooler and a 1993 TCU so I'm starting off in first gear. The car seems to handle one bike like it's not there. It struggles a little with two but nothing I was worried about.

[greg_atlanta]

Cheaper to replace the rear subframe than buy (or rent) a truck for hauling a trailer!

The TCU and trans cooler are a good idea!

[sijoko]

The subframe bushings can be replaced with Energy Suspension parts for the Z32 300zx.

I just replaced mine. It is not easy. The car is not back on the road, yet, so I cannot tell you how it rides.

The kit sells for around $75 on the internet. You should also replace the differential mounting bushings while you have the subframe out.

-sijoko

[Q45tech]

The Q was designed for the silicone busings, bushing that don't have movement will transfer excessive stress to other components.

Just like the mounting tabs for the rear toe and camber bend on the subframe after stress, who knows what other parts may get out of alignment.

After I changed my rear subframe the camber/toe changed in 6 months and again in another 6 months indicating things were bending........and bushing wear..........after 2.5 years I am still able to align at the absolute middle of the range who knows maybe it won't make it at after 100 k and need another rear subframe but the older one lasted 160k before changing.