Have got my 03 G35 sedan at the local shop, getting the phantom VDC/Slip dilemma fixed according to scan codes indicating throttle body's no good. When I was in 2-3 years ago for a new radiator, at that time they said I should have idler/swing arms & bushings replaced in the front end---it's now metal to metal and wrench says that bushings are totally gone (I've noticed that the front seems a little twitchier/loose of late)......
They're telling me that it will be about $900 inc. labor---is this a reasonable figure? I'm not smart enough or motivated enough to undertake that kind of repair myself--so don't suggest I buy the parts and get that puppy raised up enough to access the front steering assembly. But with only 112K miles on the clock and no payments for the last 5 years, I'd like to wring some more mileage out of this car---as it drives beautifully and I still like lots about it.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!

 

Got an estimate to replace the front compression rod bushings for $1200 if that helps. 2005 G35 coupe 6MT.

 

Thanks for that perspective....compression/control arms...bushings, etc.----it all seems like that the replacement components are complete packages, no parts that can be inserted, but one of the other parts can be sourced at a lower price...total damage incl labor is $900 approx.

The alternative is rough handling over uneven surfaces, and then the potential to have the steering crap out and I skate through four lanes of traffic into a ditch, and/or four lanes of oncoming traffic.

 

U can buy the bushings separately. I did and the labor was much cheaper...

 

The official remarks on my invoice for the new throttle body had this to say,

"Technician found lower control arm bushings and compression rod bushings severely worn......" According to the owner of this independent shop that specializes in Nissan & Infiniti (he's a former factory-certified Infiniti guy)---one of these has to be purchased all as one unit and that's where it gets expensive, but then the other part, Nissan/Infiniti will actually sell the bushings separately which makes it more reasonable. Anyway, if I have to go down this road, I'm dealing with somebody that I trust.

So, is something that anybody can do given a minimal level of automotive mechanical expertise?

 

Well it depends...these bushings will have to be pressed in. Also, infinity does not and will not sell them separately. All our cars will have to eventually get them replaced and inifinity wants to sell u the entire arm or the whole rod rather then just the bushings. I found out the hard way...
Luckily, there are 3rd party vendors that sell quality replacements. Whiteline, Energy are a couple.

 

My Whitelines fit like a dream. You can hammer the old compression rod bushings out if you're careful, then the WL's just get tapped in lightly. The control arm bushings have to be pressed in though. If you can do general suspension work you can take on the job. Do it all yourself and you're looking at 260 bucks. That's 180 for the compression rod bushings and BOTH bushings on the control arms (would be less if you only need the inners etc), and a general 20 bucks a bushing labor cost for a shop to press them in (again, less if you only need one of the lower control arm bushings on each side replaced).