Install New Shocks, Struts and H&R Springs

Abs sensor may seized, but changing struts doesn't need to deal with it.
Seized abs sensor will be in the way when change out the hub bearing though.
 
Probably not that common, but my stabilizer link was seized. Only had 35K on it and the passenger side one would not come off. Shop had to cut it off and replace. So I would just loosen those bolts first before you get too deep. I had to put it all back together when I realized that the bolt was not coming off.
 
Good point shadow. I have much success using an impact on loosen the stabilizer nuts then by hand.
 
On that one, the impact did nothing and I broke a breaker bar w/ cheater pipe on it. Shop's impact did nothing either and eventually the nut rounded so replacement was the only option.
 
In general, using an impact will be easier than hand tools because the quick burst of torque so that the chance for the ball joint to spin in the housing is much less. I have had a couple stubborn oned that cutting it is the only option.

Most after market stabilizer link now has a tab that sticks out so that once the tab turns and hit against the side of the mounting tab/hole on the strut, it will stops the joint from spinning as you loosen the nut. The stock ones may have an Allen key/wrench hole on the center of the bolt, but lots of time, the nut seized so bad that nothing going to loosen the nut.
 
I highly doubt you need to change the bellows or bump stops. I have worked on a couple 03 and 04 and they're still solid. Definitely change the front strut bearing for sure.
 
Awesome write up.

I have KYB's, H&R's and bearings on order and should be here this week. I am thinking i should do the rotors/pads at the same time. Dont know if i can wait though.

I think i may end up doing this on my own though.. kinda worried as most people are saying its a two man job.
 
giantsoobs said:
Awesome write up.

I have KYB's, H&R's and bearings on order and should be here this week. I am thinking i should do the rotors/pads at the same time. Dont know if i can wait though.

I think i may end up doing this on my own though.. kinda worried as most people are saying its a two man job.
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It can be done, I did the springs and shocks by myself. It would have been nice to have an extra pair of hands to help hold things but it is totally doable by one person. It would probably be a lot faster as well with 2 people.
 
Rusty bolts can be a big issue, one of mine was frozen on and I had to take it to a shop. Broke my breaker bar on it. But compressing springs is literally a non issue. They don't explode or anything, once you put the compressor on, you're all set. I've disassembled springs/struts without a spring compressor. Just aim it away from people, it doesn't really shoot very far, few feet.

Viperi said:
the only thing that is scaring me to doing it myself is the rusty bolts and compressing the springs.
Click to expand...
 
the key is: "aim it away from people" :tongue:. I was gonna do it myself, but the guy I found, will do it for me, I can't be bothered with that myself LOL.
 
Viperi said:
the only thing that is scaring me to doing it myself is the rusty bolts and compressing the springs.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I am worried about. Those potentially frozen bolts. If I break one off, I am going to be pretty screwed. Is the only solution drilling it out and tapping new threads?

Hopefully a few rounds of PD Blaster/WD40 days and weeks before the job will ensure a smooth procedure.
 
Soak the nuts and bolts with rust penetrating spray like PB-Blast and a like the night before the removal. Almost all the bolts are big and heavy duty. The two that really worries me are the two 12mm nuts that mounts the rear top shock cup to frame. That was a stupid design on Infiniti. If you snap those two welded bolts, you will have a lot of kicking on yourself. For those FX that I have work on, I clean and coat those two bolts and nuts with grease to prevent them from rust build up again.
 
Good call on the strut bearings Adam. Do you know which one you're ordering? There are the wimpy plastic ones and the heavy duty metal ones. I have installed the plastic one about two years ago on a member(blueduck11...) ride and it has been good.
 
I just went with OEM ones from Infinitipartsusa $15, think those are just plastic ones?



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Yeah, the 2 rear ones are the ones to most worry about. I almost rounded one off removing it but got it out. I used PB Blaster on them, but since they're upside down it's hard to let them soak. At least any other bolt can be cut off and replaced without hassle.
 
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