What are the tension rods for on a 2000 Q45T

[Victor]

My daughter just bought a used 2000 Q45T with 49884 miles on it. The guy she bought it from had it inspected at an infiniti dealer just before he sold it and they found three things they said needed repair. The tension rods (I think thats what they call those things that have a bushing of some sort on one end and the other end has two bolts in it), one rear shock had a little leakage, and one rubber belt needed to be replaced. When I was having the oil changed I asked the mechanic how they looked and he said they looked OK to him. The infiniti dealer wanted around $1500 to replace all four belts even though only one was worn, two rear shocks, and the tension rods. I wonder if those repairs were really necessary?I did some research and it said the shocks don't have to be replaced if there is only a very small amount of leakage, and under warranty they wouldn't replace both if only one had a lot of leakage, enough to fill up the collar.But what function do the tension rods serve. The only thing I could see wrong with them was what looked like a little grease leaking out..But anyway, my daughter just drove the car from southern California to Colorado in one day doing 80 all the way with no problems that she noticed. Does it sound like these repairs are really necessary at this time, especially on a car with only 51200 miles on it now.

[maxnix]

The only thing I could see wrong with them was what looked like a little grease leaking out.

Does it sound like these repairs are really necessary at this time, especially on a car with only 51200 miles on it now.

Yes to all. Her shocks are failing and her tension rod bushings already have. They can be replaced by removing the rods and pressing in new bearings.

The four accessory drive belts and any bad bearings inthe pulleys are always at the same time to avoid repeat labor.

Keep reading and hopefully you will come to the same conslusions. How are her tires and hydraulic fluids? Cabin, fuel and intake filters? Tires?

Start saving for the shocks. The rear ones are not too bad.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Any Q45 is so superior to so many of the cars even produced today that later owners don't realize how good they are in as new condition. Read the newbie posts and you can tell.

[bullittandy]

Definitely replace the tension rods, they are cheap and extremely easy to replace. maybe 1 hour of labor total.

Belts? Difficult call as you really want to do all of them at once (don't replace the pulley bearings unless are are squeaky or "grabby"). If your mechanic thought the belts looked okay then you can count on them for maybe 20K, chancey if you approach 40-50 K on those belts.

As for the rear shocks, I'd "watch them" and see if the leak gets worse, continues etc etc etc.

All this is dependent on how long you plan on keeping the car, M opinions are based on an avreage ownership time of 2-3 years, if your daughter likes this car and is planning on keeping it "forever" then do all these repairs and be done with it.

Good luck, your daugther bought one of the greatest used car bargains there is!!!!

[oldmako]

I replaced both of my T Rods a few months ago. As Maxnix said, the bearings themselves can be pressed out and replaced, or you can just hang a new rod. I skipped the bearing replacement as it seemed like a hassle to remove rod, take it to a shop, press out and press in, pay the shop...and schlep back to my domo.

The savings over new rods wasn't worth the effort....and I am VERY lazy.

The belts are easy enough and worth replacing in my mind as you have no idea how old they are. One of them fails, and she walks, hitchikes, calls you etc. None of them are a good idea. Unless they look terrific. Your call. I did mine in about 2 hours or so with nothing more than a 10mm, a 14mm and a 1/2" socket. with a 6" extension. The dealer wanted one and a half legs.

CA to CO and she only went 80? She shows a lot of restraint and possible maturity. I would have opened that mother up.