The Q | Subaru Discord | Page 1

supple zealot Dec 29, 2022, 3:32 AM

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Alright. Here it is. 2000 Infiniti Q45. A luxurious vehicle from 20 years ago. You know what that means? Damn near everything discontinued, broken, or on it's last few miles. Did I mention it has 282k miles? Yeah. No one in my family has a car over 175k (my 06 WRX). Why did I choose the high mileage life? Or did the high mileage life choose me? Long lost of things needed. Even shorter list of things fixed/replaced. This is the journey of the long winded Q

Bought it in May. Fun fact, power steering went out along my 300+ mile ride back home with it the day I bought it. Previous owner "I just keep adding fluid and stop leak". But all in all, it's a pretty decent car.

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Some things I've done so far maintenance and cosmetic: new drive belts, rear window was replaced (very hard to find btw) and some floor mats from junkyard. Yeah that's all.

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Things needed:
-Tires
-Alignment
-Oil change (haven't had one since after I bought it
-Other fluid changes
-Knock Sensors
-Some more sensors
-Figure out what the clunking sound is in front left suspension
-Valve cover gasket
-Install new radiator upon arrival (long story)
-Replace/fix rear bumper dent
-Interior refresh
-Probably every bushing
-Figure out how to repair power steering system with every part being discontinued
-Figure out an end goal

supple zealot Dec 30, 2022, 6:06 PM

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New magnet from Rock Auto. Also came with a new radiator.

supple zealot Dec 31, 2022, 4:39 PM

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She runs! After a few trips for a battery diagnostics and a new battery, fires up. Also new belts stopped the death screech

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Car sat for a month waiting on decent weather and for me to get off my ass to install belts.

supple zealot Dec 31, 2022, 5:36 PM

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Up next will be tires, alignment, brakes in February

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And an oil change somewhere in there

supple zealot Feb 5, 2023, 10:42 PM

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First oil change since owning it. Went smoothly. Didn't have filter wrench so old ones still there CoolSunglasses

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Also got tires on

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And best part...

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Possibly 300k mile tention rods

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Bushings have failed and need replacement before I can do alignment

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cool

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Megan Racing seems to be the easy replacement. Vs $800+ for oem

supple zealot Feb 5, 2023, 11:42 PM

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Well I'll order those. I'll try to work on interior bits. Would like to swap interior lights to LED but to a soft white color. And possibly rear tail lights, turn signals, and fog light if possible

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Apparently s15 ball joints will fit

supple zealot Feb 11, 2023, 11:34 PM

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Brake rotors and pads replacement complete.

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Ordering tension rods upcoming Friday for next parts. Will see if it's able to get alignment then. Or try and do the ball joints first then alignment.

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Also tie rod ends

supple zealot Mar 8, 2023, 11:00 PM

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OEM hood ornament installed

supple zealot Nov 30, 2023, 4:24 PM

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Shit box revival

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Starter died in September and sat since

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Other things have been done. Actually, just one thing.

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New Megan Racing tension rods

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Undented bumper. Looks better but still meh

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Old vs new tension rod

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Replacing outer tie rod ends

supple zealot Dec 2, 2023, 4:30 PM

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Got the starter in Friday morning before I left for work. Only thing that sucks is the battery being completely dead.

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Using jumper cables the car does turn over but slowly

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Will update wherever I get a new battery

supple zealot Dec 8, 2023, 4:35 PM

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We started. New battery

steel junco Dec 8, 2023, 10:04 PM

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Yeeeeeeeeee

~~now buy wheels~~

supple zealot Dec 9, 2023, 3:30 PM

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steel junco Yeeeeeeeeee ~~now buy wheels~~

I need a house first

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~~tax season starts next month so we’ll see~~

supple zealot Dec 13, 2023, 11:36 PM

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Little progress. Rack temp installed. Thought I had tie rods at the right spot but straight ain’t straight. One wheel out farther than the other. Going to get it as close to straight then drop it off for alignment next week after holidays

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Taking more pictures as I go on the install. Will make a write up post for Facebook group as there isn’t much info vs vague do this and that

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Or maybe the nico forum?

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Still needs a tire as the spare is dry rotted

supple zealot Dec 16, 2023, 4:14 PM

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Update #23 or something

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Inner tie rods seized magically.

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The fix? Replace rack and pinion.

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(Rack and pinion is fucked anyway so ordering a reman one which comes with new inner tie rods installed)

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Also attempting at power steering pump

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So next month I’ll have functional power steering. Will work on removing old pump just to kill time.

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Update #24 will be old pump removal

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Damn I do miss this sound system

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Section where you’d use a wrench will round out with me fighting this thing

steel junco Dec 16, 2023, 11:49 PM

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sir

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use fire

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crack the nut, wind it back and heat the outer tie rod

supple zealot Dec 16, 2023, 11:59 PM

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Too lazy

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Jk. Need to buy the torche attachment for butane tank

steel junco Dec 17, 2023, 12:00 AM

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also

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supple zealot Dec 17, 2023, 12:03 AM

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Hmmm

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What vise grip type are those

steel junco Dec 17, 2023, 12:36 AM

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The ones designed for gripping nuts

supple zealot Dec 17, 2023, 5:17 AM

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Well, I’d call my ex

supple zealot Dec 29, 2023, 1:11 PM

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Wheels are straight but steering wheel is not

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I think I need an oil change. Don’t remember when I last did it lol. Has oil in it. Half mark on stick. Will change after holidays

supple zealot Dec 29, 2023, 5:45 PM

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Update: rack is fucked. Can’t align. Steering wheel pointed at 10 o’clock to drive straight.

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Now I got to find the bushings again. Saved part number somewhere

steel junco Dec 30, 2023, 1:26 AM

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what do you mean cant align?

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sounds like a cop out

supple zealot Dec 30, 2023, 4:52 AM

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steel junco what do you mean cant align?

backing nut on inner tie rod is seized on. they tried to use heat but no budge.

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made the voyage to and from work today though with no issues

supple zealot Jan 5, 2024, 6:11 PM

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Got some parts coming in now. Be here next week hopefully

supple zealot Jan 15, 2024, 11:15 PM

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Update 24:

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Old power steering pump on left. New on right. Notice how the entire pulley system is missing?

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Yeah. It fell out when a while back I had an idler pulley seize and shredded the alternator belt and destroyed the PS pump belt and pulley. Found the pulley sitting on radiator support few hundred miles after it probably fell off.

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New pump is in along with new orings and copper gaskets.

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And the new rack and pinion:

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Tomorrow I’m going to challenge myself to get it installed before I have to leave for work. There’s a chance of rain in the morning.

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All that’s left is to remove engine mount nuts, jack up engine, remove rack, install rack, bleed system, install radiator, add coolant back in.

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Old pump is ready to be sent back for core return

supple zealot Jan 16, 2024, 12:00 AM

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One day. Maybe in a few months. We’ll see. Before summer

supple zealot Jan 16, 2024, 5:24 PM

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Update 25: new vs old rack and pinion

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Installing now. Alignment will be tomorrow morning hopefully.

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Or today

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List of work today:
-~~install rack, hook up tie rods~~
-~~finish PS pump install with the belt~~
-~~add fluid and bleed~~
-~~install radiator and add coolant, bleed coolant.~~

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-alignment

supple zealot Jan 16, 2024, 8:42 PM

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Got everything done except tie rods. Car has to be running for the ps bleed. So that’s next after I head to store and replace upper radiator hose

supple zealot Jan 17, 2024, 3:22 AM

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well, couldn't bleed power steering. pressure switch is bad. so until then, PS pump belt is removed to not risk killing the pump.

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until then, uhhh no power steering for another few weeks. It's been almost a year without it

supple zealot Jan 17, 2024, 3:23 PM

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First drive with the new steering rack. Much better drive and less clunk which was probably from inner tie rods. Alignment today. Will try to bleed system again another day. Apparently have to keep trying for longer period.

supple zealot Jan 18, 2024, 2:45 PM

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First time driving this car after a proper alignment. It’s not warrantied due to bad lower ball joints but they will get replaced next month. Subaru requires some work so money going there

supple zealot Feb 2, 2024, 5:17 PM

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Update 26: Uh well more broken things to fix

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A pressure line for power steering has failed

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Thankfully it’s in stock oem. Unfortunately it’s $400

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There’s a $120 version on eBay soooooo.

Also, here’s a price breakdown on everything to own a 300k mile $800 2000 Infiniti Q45 Anniversary edition.
Here’s what I’ve bought so far for repair:

$400 pump/rack (-core)
$100 belts
$120 idler pulley
$40 starter (-core)
$15 tie rods
$120 tension rods
$80 radiator
$250 battery

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Things needed to replace:
$250 lower ball joints (parts and labor)
$115 pressure line for PS
Eventually:
$1400 suspension BC Coilovers
$xxxx nice wheels so @steel junco can be happy. (Also me)
$400 head unit that’s compatible with oem Bose amp
$xxx rear subs to replace ones there

supple zealot Mar 6, 2024, 5:46 PM

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Update 27: some interior decorations. Neat sunroof idea found on Instagram. Looks nice. Might reupholster seats eventually. Get a good clean interior. Will order power steering lines next week and possibly install on arrival. Ball joints will be here tomorrow so those will be replaced shortly.

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