suspension/transmission question

[gas money]

My 2000 Q anniversary ed seems to raise or lower when I move the shifter from park to reverse or drive. It's actually only the rear of the car; it feels like it moves up about 1/2 inch when I put it in park and down about 1/2 an inch when I put it in drive or reverse. Anyone know what that is?

This must also have to do with a problem I have when braking. It feels like a fair amount of mass is shaking the shifter back and forth under braking. I can also feel this in the steering wheel and brake pedal, but strongest in the shifter.

I had my car at a service center and asked them to check it out but they said they didn't see anything when doing a visual inspection. They drove it and ended up just trying to sell me a brake job. This is different than just warped rotors. Any Q experts have any ideas? I suggested to the shop that it might be a broken mount or suspension part but they didn't see anything. I think they just decided they would rather sell me a brake job and get the car out of the bay since this is a very busy shop.

Thanks guys. Any help is appreciated.

[qship96]

First issue is normal, second sounds like you need to resurface or replace rotors.

[maxnix]

Mileage? Worn shocks? Any maintenance history?

[gas money]

Thanks for the answers guys.

118,000 miles. Shocks might be the problem but rides smooth (to me at least). Car seems fine other than this vibration and an overheating problem that I have finally found is the radiator. This was a Firestone service center that said they couldn't find anything. They said my pads were thin but front rotors looked ok and rears have some pitting but not bad. If it really is just brakes causing this, I can replace the rear rotors and pads myself which will be cheaper. It just felt like something more than that.

This was my wife's car and had been sitting for about 16 months. She bought it from a guy that supposedly maintained it very well, and I have not found any evidence to the contrary. My wife probably didn't do a great job of maintaining it but she did have the oil changed once in a while. Before I got it going I did syphon the dead gas out and change the oil and drained and filled the radiator just to get some fresh coolant in it.

Engine runs smoothly and should stop trying to overheat once I change the radiator. I was worried about the head gaskets but I got Firestone to test for exhaust gas in the coolant and that was negative (engine hasn't run very much with the fresh coolant though ). But, according to the FSM, a bad head gasket should cause the coolant overflow bottle to overflow and this hasn't happened to my knowledge.

[djsinikal]

My 1999 Q has the same issue, it sounds like its a suspension problem. I'm in the process of replacing all four struts. When you shift to drive, or reverse or park the suspension sinks, and when coming to a complete stop it almost feels like it has something to do with the breaks. I would recommend for you to push the rear of your up and down a few times, and if it easily moves that may be an indication of worn struts. The front struts are a little tricky since the weight of the engine holds the car down.

[maxnix]

Your shocks are shot at 118K if they are original.

You must replace your fuel filter, and probably cabin and engine air filter.

Firestone shops and other national chains are death for these cars.

Get OEM pads and shim kit and have the rotors turned or replaced with Brembos or other known good after market ones mentioned on this board. Change the brake fluid also.

[maxnix]

I would recommend for you to push the rear of your up and down a few times, and if it easily moves that may be an indication of worn struts. The front struts are a little tricky since the weight of the engine holds the car down.

And the rear body is lighter than air?

"1999 Infinity Q45t & 1998 Infinity i30t"

Now go spend some time contemplating the writing on the trunk of your cars.

[gas money]

Thanks for all the info.

[roadrunner45]

Your shocks are shot at 118K if they are original.

You must replace your fuel filter, and probably cabin and engine air filter.

Firestone shops and other national chains are death for these cars.

Get OEM pads and shim kit and have the rotors turned or replaced with Brembos or other known good after market ones mentioned on this board. Change the brake fluid also.

I agree with all of this. My 2003 Q experienced similar issues. The car rides so much better once I got OEM parts back on it. No more national chains for me!

[BadQ45t]

Your shocks are totally worn out, trust me on that. I replaced my 97's at 75k and they were shot. Do you have the electronic suspension? If you do no choice but to buy the OEM's, try www.everythinginfiniti.com for good prices. If you do not have this feature I would strongly suggest using the KYB SR Specials instead of OEM. They are NOT available via any normal KYB dealers, only via www.memoryfab.com, it will take them 6-8 weeks to get them as they come from Japan. KYB is how makes the OEM shocks so they will fit like a glove.

I would buy the OEM brake rotors and pads too from the guys at everything infiniti, this is Scotsdale Infiniti, do not order off the web site. CAll them and tell them your a NICO member and they should offer you a discount. Joe is one of the parts managers but seems like he doesn't get on the phone too often anymore, but this is much cheaper than local dealership. then find a good local mechanic and get installed.

Tell us where you live and we may be able to help you find a good local guy.

[gas money]

Yep, I have the electronic suspension with the sport/comfort modes. Nice, but expensive to replace! I am in Birmingham, AL. I am going to do the brakes and might sell it at that point. It's a great car but I don't know if I am ready to put that much money into it. I think it might be better to put the money into something newer. It's a tough call.

[maxnix]

If you have lots of cash, new may be feasible if investing scares you.

If not afraid of investing, electronic shocks are only about $300 more than regular ones last time I checked. But the Yen was lower.

[BadQ45t]

If your selling it just sell it, I wouldn't put another dime into it. You can get the electronic shocks for not that much, but why put another cent into it if your selling.