Too expensive to replace shocks on J30

[Victor]

My shocks are getting really bad on my 94 J30T. I went to the website (Joe) that everyone is always recommending and it looks like they don't even want to support J30s anymore as they don't have a J30 listed on their quick links. By doing a search though I did find the struts. But they want $367 each for just the front struts, and $177 each for the rear, so after shipping it would be over $1100 for just the struts, I didn't even price out all the rubber parts I would need. Throw in the cost of installing them and an alignment and it would come to over half the market value of the car. I think I will just drive the car into the ground. When the next timing belt is due in 15,000 miles I won't do it and just keep driving until it breaks. With 194,400 miles on the car, even though it is running great except for the shocks, it has reached the point where I will junk it, sell it, or part it out the first time a major part breaks.

[alex61089]

It is under speciality kits. You can get all of the parts for about 850.00 That includes the front, rear struts and rubber parts. Or you can just get the struts for the front and back for about 650.00; scroll down on the page and you will see it. While it is a hefty investment im sure the difference will be felt. I have to get mine soon.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.co...34382

[yodawill2000]

Same here.As my budget is pretty thin these days I plan on getting a few parts at a time and putting it all on when it gets coolerIf you call them or email Joe he can quote individual parts.

[J30Sos]

I have the same dilemma with mine. The rear shocks were replaced right before i got the car and the fronts are shot. They are very bad. Mine has 186,xxx miles and I can't decide to spend the $$$. I love the car but i just don't know if its worth it. If i come across a good paycheck that will allow for me to get them i don't see why I wont get them.

If someone made coilovers I would definitely spring out the cash for those.....
Modified by J30Sos at 4:44 PM 7/17/2009

[colincliff2]

Joe has the best prices I've seen for the struts. I've learned to live with my bad ones. I periodically inspect the suspension for safety's sake & it's fine. At the moment I'm not willing to spend that much for a smoother ride.

[Q45tech]

Everyone standards are different but on my 1990 Q45 I've replaced shocks every 4 years or 60 k that's 5 sets [of replacements] since 1990.In fact with 322k I'm only a few years from another set.

J30 cost about $2,000 per year to maintain to oem specs [tires, brakes, suspensions, fluids and filters, misc] whereas the V8 Q runs $2500-$3,000.

[Victor]

OEM shocks for a Q45 are a lot cheaper than shocks for a J30, plus after market shocks are available for the Q45, and not for the J30, which is strange, for in years that both the J and Q were sold the J outsold the Q, but the Q sold for more years, albeit in three different versions.

[alex61089]

Yeah that's a good point victor so why the hell wouldnt they have aftermarket for the J. It sucks I got sort of a bumpy ride but i'm learning to live with it as well i mean a smoother ride would be better but 850.00 PLUS installation.... im not too sure lol.

[J30inthe sun]

but 850.00 PLUS installation.... im not too sure lol.

I had the front struts installed for @1.5 hours labor & the rears for 1 hour labor. @ $200 in labor total.

I think the struts are rated for @ 40,000 miles before replacement (someone correct me if I am wrong), althought I replaced the original rears @ 89,000 miles after one of the rear struts totally failed & the original fronts @ 108,000 miles.

If you get 60,000 miles out of the replacements that is less than $0.02 per mile or at 15,000 miles a year that's @ $0.80 per day.

Keepp in mine these are normal maintainence items on any car albeit more pricey for the J.

I went the extra mile & replaced every rubber piece in all 4 strut assemblies as well as the front upper strut mounts (I believe there is a bearing in there). In fact every component of my front suspension has been replaced over the last 9 months except the steering knuckles & wheel bearings... the ride .... PRICELESS!!!

[J30inthe sun]

...and it would come to over half the market value of the car... even though it is running great... it has reached the point where I will junk it, sell it, or part it out...

Or you could get the $3500 - $4500 obama voucher toward the purchase of a new, fuel efficient vehicle. Keep in mind they MUST scrap the J30 so all of the parts of the car that someone else could use/recycle will be gone forever.

"voted & won" & DESTROYING AMERICA!

Say a prayer the Senate does not pass the Cap & Trade Bill.



Modified by J30inthe sun at 11:40 PM 7/21/2009

Modified by J30inthe sun at 11:42 PM 7/21/2009
Modified by J30inthe sun at 11:43 PM 7/21/2009

[driverdriver]

Yeah that's a good point victor so why the hell wouldnt they have aftermarket for the J. It sucks I got sort of a bumpy ride but i'm learning to live with it as well i mean a smoother ride would be better but 850.00 PLUS installation.... im not too sure lol.

Koni use to manufacture aftermarket struts and shocks for the J. A combination of low sales numbers of the car and low demand for components forced them to cancel production.

[yodawill2000]

If they started production back up and word got out they would clean up !!

Or better yet Infiniti would cut the price to compete !!!

Yeah Im a Dreamer lol

[kbflip02]

If they started production back up and word got out they would clean up !!

Or better yet Infiniti would cut the price to compete !!!

Yeah Im a Dreamer lol

yoda u still havent called me about the 9 way adjustables...give me a shout today sometime after 5....7135539739

[yodawill2000]

If the Service calls aren't too heavy I certainly will.Just afraid to hear the price !!! lolbeen kinda tight lately with my oldest moving back home with wife and 3 year old. (Laid Off)And my 2nd grand kid will be here next Wednesday !!

[kbflip02]

If the Service calls aren't too heavy I certainly will.Just afraid to hear the price !!! lolbeen kinda tight lately with my oldest moving back home with wife and 3 year old. (Laid Off)And my 2nd grand kid will be here next Wednesday !!

i totally hear ya...this damn recession is just screwing everyone...ive resulted to delivering pizza in my car...its a damn shame what one has to do for money these days...now the setup is around $1k but 9 way fully adjustable and is a direct swap....i also spoke with some guys from 786Motoring down here in houston who said they could probably do a coilover kit for half that price using 240 parts and then i could also do 240 big brake upgrades personally i havent decided what route to go but ive found myself doing more and more research on air struts...

[diamondj30]

Koni makes a drop in yellow cartridge for 100 and something buck's.Think mine are for a 96 maxima .search my old post for better info.I cant remember the part number.They been on for years and still on lowest setting.I ran for awhile just the front upgrade and was fine still useing the oem backs.Id jump on the coilover deal if you could afford it.

[yodawill2000]

Wonder if the Yellow is what they discontinued.Must investigate.

[diamondj30]

woop's lol.been a long while,lol.good call yoda

[yodawill2000]

Looks like they still carry em'at least the 96 Maxima.$372 a pair for the fronts and it takes some cutting.Bout the same price as drop in OEM now .Ratz ..

[diamondj30]

boy oh boy yodda,what happened to 120 bucks,lol.Ah,the power of the dollar!lol

[maxnix]

Corey, good to see you are still kicking around.

[yodawill2000]

yup yup