Hey guys...so I have had my 2003 g35 coupe for about a year and have had the infamous problem with compression rod bushings. I found so much useful information on this site! I just replaced both today with Armstrong poly bushings...and when i got them in and I went to tighten the lug nuts, there was an inch play in the whole knuckle assembly! And when Im stopped and tap the brakes a few times, I hear a terrible clunk and I can feel the play. Also have play at high speeds when I hit the brakes. The new bushings are great, but do I have a new issue arising now? Could it possibly be the front lower control arms now? It's my daily driver so I need to figure this crap out soon! Thanks guys!

 

Did you have the poly bushing pressed into the rods? There can be no slop in our suspension pieces. When I replaced mine the old bushing fell out and I replaced it with OE arms for less than $200. I believe that's the right way to go...Gary

 

I did have them pressed in, as this guy claims they are the true fix to our issues...

https://g35driver.com/forums/g35-sedan-v35-2003-06/399972-my-struggles-reviews-compression-rod-polyurethane-bushings.html

I will say that I tried the oem arms/bushings last spring and they didn't last more than a month. There was still some of this play I am talking about, just not as noticeable/serious.

There didn't seem to be any visual slop to the job. I also checked the bushings with a digital caliper before I had my mechanic press them in. Every measurement on the aftermarket one matched the oem.

I'm thinking that because they are poly, they are stiffer than oem, thus making the other suspension components more sloppy. I think I need new front lower control arms...the one the sway bar and strut attach to. Hopefully that works or I'm out another 200. I have 360 into it so far, but it's an Infiniti so I justify it somehow...haha

 

I can tell you right now that you upper and lower control arm bushings are bad along with your ball joints. Mine is an 05' and has 127k on it and they were all shot.

Look at the control arm pivot points where the bushings are. I'll bet they are sitting against the hinges and not centered between them. That's how I figured out mine were bad.

 

Thanks a lot man, I noticed they were kinda off...I'll attach some pictures in a couple hours and see what you think? I sure would appreciate it

 

Dan, there's no way that OE compression rods shouldn't last less than 40 to 50K miles. You obviously have other suspension issues...best advice: Find an independent brake/alignment shop in your area and have them cure your suspension ills. You're just wasting your $$ replacing parts that are destroying themselves!
Gary

 

So you can see all the pictures here:

http://www.northernlightsmediasolutions.com/infiniti

As I see it, the upper control arm bushings are a bit off center like you were saying, Texasscout. The upper ball joints look a little smashed too...but maybe thats just how they look.

The lower control arms on both sides of the car move towards the cab of the vehicle when I put force on my tire iron. That is where the most play is. The bushing that connects to the chassis looks like it needs replacing based on that play...visually its okay though. Ordering some new lower control arms on rockauto.com tonight!

The new compression rods have fixed quite a bit...there is a noticeable difference in steering and cornering...much stiffer. Also doesn't clunk over bumps. It is like my car likes the up and down motion of the suspension, but not the forward and back motion. Texas, I think you are on the right track with replacement of: most importantly, lower control arms. And then upper control arms shortly after, when I can afford them . Thanks for the advice!

I just hope the castellated nuts on my new compression rods come off easy when I replace the lower control arms!! Had to grind the old rusty one off to get the new ones on!

P.S. Thanks Gary, but I prefer to work on my own vehicles. Only when I totally can't figure something out do I bring it in. I like to know what I have going on, and not worry and wonder if that toothless mechanic did a good job.

 

I did my compression rods last weekend and my lower control arms today! I'm sick of redoing these every year and a half, so I added hockey pucks to my lower control arm bushings...saw a guy that did it in a nico forum, looked like a good idea. I drilled a 1 inch hole in the puck just off center with a spade bit on a drill press. Then trace out the control arm with a pencil and carefully chisel out a 1/4 inch from the hockey puck until it is flush with the edge of the oem bushing when put on. It slips on right over the oem bushing, and adds a nice bit of stiffness where our suspension needs it the most!