What's the name of this part?

[Mopar]

Hello,

I have a problem. I took my car to three tech shops and they all told me different names of the part that I need to change. All three of them pointed to the same part, but said different names.

First one said it's the tension rod, second one said it's the strut rod? Third one I don't remember what he said completely he said "steering" something.

So the problem that I am having is that my whole front end is "loose". I don't know how to explain it, but when I break it feels like the whole front end is about to fall apart. Also, when I go from park to drive my front wheels like pop forward. The car is out of alignment and the alignment guy told me that I need to change this part before I could align it.

Couple of things, they said the bushing's on the part are gone and I can either replace the bushing's or change the whole part.

Please help me name this part so that I can buy the correct part to take with me to the mechanic.

Thanks!

[maxnix]

Could be your upperlinks, couild be your tension rod bushings, could be your steering rack bushings, could be your sway bar bushings, could be your ball joints; just can't tell very well unless you tell us how long ago and how many miles ago each was replaced.

[jimbyjimb]

You've got to be much more descriptive to let us in on what you're talking about since none of us were there to see what was being pointed at. There are tension rods but we can't know that's what was being talked about unless you show us what was being discussed or describe your issues in greater detail. There are many, many parts to a suspension system and many can cause similar problems.

[Q451990]

If you know what part he was talking about - as in, you know it when you see it - post up a picture! In all honesty, if you haven't replaced much suspension wise, it all needs to be replaced at this point to get as-new performance.

By the way, what kind of car are we talking about? It might be helpful to add that information to your profile so that we know...

Heath

[unknown007]

Has to be your tension rod bushing.When you go from park to drive or from drive to reverse you hear a big "CLUNL" right?This is happening to me and as I changed my oil yesterday I looked at the bushing and it's torn up. That's my guess and I have a blown strut only on the driver side. Well that's my guess,just go make sure it is by lifting your car or getting under it to where you can see the tension rod bushing.Let us know thanks.

I will post apicture up tonight of the bushing.

[goody90q45]

Looking through your old posts I think you're driving a Y33. Page FA-5 of the FSM should held you determine which front suspension component(s) need replacing.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1999_Q45/1999_Q45/

[qsiguy]

Well no one else has asked so I will, what year make and model is your car? I'm guessing they were pointing at the tension rod/bushings.

Here's a photo of my tension rod with bad bushing. Mine is a '94 so yours may be different if you have a Y33 or newer.

Here is a shot of the aftermarket adjustable model I have now.

[timderiksen]

does your wheels move forward and backwards??? if so it the strut rod/tension rod. In which controls the caster. if you got the adj strut rod then you can adj the caster. but if not its only about 160ish (maybe higher, maybe lower) from the dealer. but if your like me and gots the hook up it was only 114 cash

[unknown007]

Well no one else has asked so I will, what year make and model is your car? I'm guessing they were pointing at the tension rod/bushings.

Here's a photo of my tension rod with bad bushing. Mine is a '94 so yours may be different if you have a Y33 or newer.

Here is a shot of the aftermarket adjustable model I have now.

Are they no brand?My bushing looks just like that.I have to put my aftermarket one on too.

[Mopar]

SOrry for the late reply guys.

The part in the picture is the part that I am talking about !!!!!. And I do hear that clunk noise when going from Park to D. So it is the tension rod? Is it also called the strut rod? are those the same thing?.

Wow you guys are geniouses! I was going to try take a picture tomorrow, but that picture is exactly what I need. So whats the name of that part Nico members?

[qsiguy]

Tension rod is what I call it. 3 options as I see it.

1) just get new bushings and have installed in old tension rods.

2) buy complete tension rods and install

3) buy aftermarket adjustable models and install.

Unless you will be lowering your car I don't think I would get aftermarket. OEM ones will be the best for a stock ride.

Unknown-they are no name models probably from e-bay. I got them from another NICO member. No complaints so far except I don't like color. Rather have red or blue to match the tokicos or cali customs springs.

[Mopar]

Thanks guys I will be looking for new tension rods then. How much do these run for usually? I can't get at a hit on ebay on tension rods for 98 Q

[qsiguy]

http://www.everythinginfiniti.com which is Infiniti of Scottsdale, AZ. Joe is our man. He'll hook you up.

1-888-344-6346

[Mopar]

Thanks Qsiguy for the fast response and to all for help!
Modified by Mopar at 10:04 PM 3/26/2009

[maxnix]

IF you keep the OEM rods, just get new bushings. You can even get NISMO polyurethane for the G50 standard if you don't want to change and don't mind a little harshness.

[unknown007]

Unknown-they are no name models probably from e-bay. I got them from another NICO member. No complaints so far except I don't like color. Rather have red or blue to match the tokicos or cali customs springs.

I got red ones.

[unknown007]

Thanks guys I will be looking for new tension rods then. How much do these run for usually? I can't get at a hit on ebay on tension rods for 98 Q

Just buy a new bushing and have a mechanic install it.It's the better way.Why buy a whole new tension rod when all you need is the bushing?In my case I'm lowering the car so I needed to buy.Just a suggest so your pockets don't get cleaned.