Suspension Maintenance?

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Fire0nic3

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I know how the 2009-2011 FX's all use an aluminum intensive double wishbone front suspension, and a multi link rear suspension. Since it doesn't use struts like the 1st gen FX did, what kind of maintenance is required on this type of suspension? I remember on my last car, that thing ate through struts like every 20K miles. Every single car I had used struts, and if I had a nickel for every time those things failed, I'd be a rich man lol. So I'm glad to know our 2009+ FX's use a wishbone front instead of struts (which probably explains the day and night difference in ride softness and quality the 2nd gen has compared to the first gen) but is there maintenance that is required for these suspensions? And what are the pros and cons of a wishbone suspension?

I already did some google searching but wanted to get some more info from you guys.
 
A few pros and cons of dbl wishbone suspension as compared to McPherson Struts:

chassisd2.gif


Pros
1. Shock absorbers are (all things being equal) cheaper than struts.
2. More flexible design. Easier to tailor to a specific application in the design room, and able to be more precisely tuned.
3. Shorter overall assembly.
***I was going to include "more comfortable ride", but even though the wishbone system yields a noticeable handling improvement in the fx, this is not a universal truth for the suspension system. There are strut designs that produce smoother and more comfortable rides than DWB designs.

Cons
1. More complicated design = more things to go wrong = increased maintenance requirements = more expensive.
2. Heavier
3. Wider overall assembly
4. More difficult to tune/modify post-design.
5. More difficult/expensive to repair.
 
Do wishbone suspensions last longer than struts? I'm at 31K on my 09 FX and the suspension is still mint! On my other cars I'm replacing struts like every 15K-20K miles because of excessive leaking. Lol
 
Fire0nic3 said:
Do wishbone suspensions last longer than struts? ...
Click to expand...

Assuming the same vehicle weight, same shock absorber make/model, same driving habits, and the same resulting setup (camber, toe, etc...), then yes the shock absorber itself will last longer because the DWB design is easier on the absorber. However, DWB systems include many parts that strut designs don't and each of those parts has it's own service life. It all depends on the particular system and how it's used/abused. You may avoid the +/-30K mile strut replacement but wind up with a +/-60K mile bushing/shock absorber/control arm replacement that costs twice as much. It varies a lot depending on the installation.

In your case, assuming the alternative is you driving a 1st gen FX with struts I would say that your DWB suspension system as a whole will "probably" last longer.
 
I agree to tchuck, also a genuine shock absorber can last really long. My friend experienced that i helped him buy an infiniti shock absorber in a good aftermarket because i know a good one. I think we bought it last year but until now it really functions well.
 
The 2nd gen has struts in the front.. right? When I swapped my springs I had to use a strut compressor to change them.
 
Fire0nic3FX said:
Nah it's shocks on all 4 corners with a double wishbone
Click to expand...
The Dealer replaced something on my front suspension because it was worn. I'll have to look it up. Right now I'm getting my boat ready, get her wet on Monday.
I looked it up, they found the left front stabilizer link to be noisy. So they replaced the stabilizer connecting rod under warranty. This was done this year in January.
 
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I haven't gotten anything replaced really mechanically and about to exit my warranty in 1k miles...kind of scary! :)
 
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