Replaced control arms, car now pulling
 

I've got a 2004 G35 Coupe with roughly 150k on it. The car started making creeking sounds and upon inspection, I found the bushings on both my left and right front lower control arms were completely shot. I bought new control arms and replaced them both. Prior to the replacent, the car pulled slightly to the right. After they were replaced, the car started pulling even hard to the right. I decided to get an alignment done but they told me that they couldn't do it and that I would need to bring it to a body shop. I don't understand why after putting new ones on, the pulling got worse. I thought it would be better. Anyway I checked out my top control arms and they seem fine, they said my camber and caster was out and they couldn't adjust it. Any ideas as to why it got worse? They said the frame could be warped but its never been wrecked and was fine before the bushings went out. Any help is appreciated.

And might I add that there are no aftermarket parts and the ride height is stock.

It's pulling because you replaced suspension parts and haven't had an alignment yet. Try taking it some place else, that shop doesn't know what they're talking about. They should at least be able to fix the toe settings (the main reason why you're pulling).

Do you have a base model with 17" wheels, or the sport 18" wheels? Those would make a difference at alignment time. I once had a shop tell me they couldn't get my car to align right even with adjustable arms, they showed me the print out and I noticed they were using G35 SEDAN specs. Needless to say I never took any car back to that shop.

did they charge you for alignment? if not, try another shop or the dealership.

good luck.

It pulls because you need it aligned (any time you mess with the front suspension). They won't align it cuz there's something wrong, but its not your frame, its your compression rod bushings.

They are taught that caster can only be messed with by a tweaked frame, which is sometimes true, except we have one link between the frame and suspension - the compression rod bushings. Obviously notorious for going bad on these cars, when replaced they will align your car. Promise.

I've got the base model with the 17s. I replaced the lower control arms. So you thinking I need to replace the compression arms to? I looked at them and they looked fine, though I'm far from an expert. I'm bringing it to another shop tomorrow morning for them to take a look at it.l and no the previous shop did not charge me.

I 100% guarantee you need new comp rod bushings. The caster is a dead give away.

Alrigthy thanks!! I've actually got new ones sitting on the floor of my passenger seat. I accidentally ordered them instead of control arms when I ordered parts. Was going to send them back and get my money back but I'll throw them on. It's actually the whole rod and bushings for both sides.

Your best bet would be to get the bushings pushed out and go with polyurethane. It would prevent this from happening again. The camber angle is a bit too extreme on these cars and you can tear thru rubber bushings every 6 months. That's yer call tho.

I read that Infiniti had to redesign the rods. Is that the reason why?

Yup. They revised the bushings in the rods in 05, but the 05+ cars still suffer, just not as badly.

Go ahead and put those on, then get the car aligned. I have an 06 and my compression rod bushings have gone bad. It'll feel nice to have a refreshed front suspension.

That's what I plan on doing. They have the rubber bushings on them right now. I'm just going to install them and run them for a few months. When I get the chance and money, I'm going to order the white line poly bushings for all the arms and do a complete redo. Might even get the arms painted red since the car is red.