Trouble with quick struts for 97 Infiniti I30
10-01-2012, 06:16 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 240
Trouble with quick struts for 97 Infiniti I30
My Infiniti I30 needs new struts, and I just wanted stock replacement (no lowering) so I thought the best/cheapest/quickest way to go was a complete quickstrut.
I saw some cheap at Rockauto made by LeCree so I purchased them (before I read the reviews on how badly they performed). Anyway, none of this matters because when I took them out of the box, I could see that the strut mount was different (looked smaller) and the offset between the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to mount to the body of the car. So, I quickly returned to Rockauto for a full refund as I thought I dodged a bullet.
Next, I tried quickstruts from another company called FCS Auto. I did a little more research beforehand, and there weren't any complaints for this brand, so I attempted to install, and the same thing happened as did with the LeCree. The offset on the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to be mounted to the car.
What gives? Has anyone else had strut mount issues with complete quickstruts? I then broke out the tape measure, and after further examination, it looks as if the mounts are not actually smaller, but turned to the incorrect mounting position in relation to the rest of the strut.
In order for the mount to fit, I would need to compress the spring, loosen the top nut, and re-position the strut mount on top of the strut.
Has anyone else seen anything like this? Is this just a total fluke?
I saw some cheap at Rockauto made by LeCree so I purchased them (before I read the reviews on how badly they performed). Anyway, none of this matters because when I took them out of the box, I could see that the strut mount was different (looked smaller) and the offset between the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to mount to the body of the car. So, I quickly returned to Rockauto for a full refund as I thought I dodged a bullet.
Next, I tried quickstruts from another company called FCS Auto. I did a little more research beforehand, and there weren't any complaints for this brand, so I attempted to install, and the same thing happened as did with the LeCree. The offset on the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to be mounted to the car.
What gives? Has anyone else had strut mount issues with complete quickstruts? I then broke out the tape measure, and after further examination, it looks as if the mounts are not actually smaller, but turned to the incorrect mounting position in relation to the rest of the strut.
In order for the mount to fit, I would need to compress the spring, loosen the top nut, and re-position the strut mount on top of the strut.
Has anyone else seen anything like this? Is this just a total fluke?
10-01-2012, 06:26 AM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 292
What you are experiencing happens. The struts only mount up one way. My dad had a great saying "engineered by Geniuses' to be assembled by something less than Geniuses' ".
And you are correct you will have to compress the spring and re-position the mounting plate prior to installation. So much for a plug and play with the struts that you have.
And you are correct you will have to compress the spring and re-position the mounting plate prior to installation. So much for a plug and play with the struts that you have.
10-01-2012, 09:19 AM
#5
You are talking about the 3 studs on top of the quick strut assembly? This:
It only fits one way and the "F", in the picture on the right side of the bottom stud, must be facing toward the front. Another thing to keep in mind this:
has a notch on it that must be facing the tire to be seated properly or it will make a popping sound as you turn. It will pop once as it settles into place but that should be it
It only fits one way and the "F", in the picture on the right side of the bottom stud, must be facing toward the front. Another thing to keep in mind this:
has a notch on it that must be facing the tire to be seated properly or it will make a popping sound as you turn. It will pop once as it settles into place but that should be it
10-01-2012, 10:14 AM
#6
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The first set of struts were probably OK as well. If you can't turn the mount by hand, put a screwdriver against the threaded studs and turn the mount until it lines up correctly.
Nothing needs to be compressed, hance the name "Quick Struts"
Unbolt, remove, install, bolt up and drive away.
You should have the front end aligned when your all done.
10-01-2012, 11:10 AM
#7
its funny i had a problem with one of mine, i figured out that i could turn the plate and i installed it but the funny part is upon inspection of the old mount i saw that who ever install the last set had the same problem and cut the stud and welded it back in a new spot to line up!
10-01-2012, 11:21 AM
#8
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Posts: 240
I am 6' and 215 pounds (315lb bench press in my prime), and could not turn the the mount by hand. I'll try to turn with a screwdriver / breaker bar and let you guys know. Thanks for the insight, it's greatly appreciated.
10-01-2012, 01:11 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 240
It's the picture above (3 studs on top of the quick strut assembly). The way the quick strut arrived, it could not be mounted as the top mounting bolts were not lined up properly with the rest of the strut assembly (there's approximately 4.75" between 2 of the studs, and 4.5" between the other side) . People are saying that I should be able to rotate the top mount by hand freely, but I don't think so. I tried to turn by hand briefly, and it wouldn't budge. Also, the current strut that that I took out doesn't roatate freely by hand either. Like I said, I'll go home tonight and try with a breaker bar, but I'm pretty sure that I'll need to compress the spring due to the coil pressure on the entire unit.
10-01-2012, 01:59 PM
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by sanford7575
My Infiniti I30 needs new struts, and I just wanted stock replacement (no lowering) so I thought the best/cheapest/quickest way to go was a complete quickstrut.
I saw some cheap at Rockauto made by LeCree so I purchased them (before I read the reviews on how badly they performed). Anyway, none of this matters because when I took them out of the box, I could see that the strut mount was different (looked smaller) and the offset between the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to mount to the body of the car. So, I quickly returned to Rockauto for a full refund as I thought I dodged a bullet.
Next, I tried quickstruts from another company called FCS Auto. I did a little more research beforehand, and there weren't any complaints for this brand, so I attempted to install, and the same thing happened as did with the LeCree. The offset on the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to be mounted to the car.
What gives? Has anyone else had strut mount issues with complete quickstruts? I then broke out the tape measure, and after further examination, it looks as if the mounts are not actually smaller, but turned to the incorrect mounting position in relation to the rest of the strut.
In order for the mount to fit, I would need to compress the spring, loosen the top nut, and re-position the strut mount on top of the strut.
Has anyone else seen anything like this? Is this just a total fluke?
I saw some cheap at Rockauto made by LeCree so I purchased them (before I read the reviews on how badly they performed). Anyway, none of this matters because when I took them out of the box, I could see that the strut mount was different (looked smaller) and the offset between the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to mount to the body of the car. So, I quickly returned to Rockauto for a full refund as I thought I dodged a bullet.
Next, I tried quickstruts from another company called FCS Auto. I did a little more research beforehand, and there weren't any complaints for this brand, so I attempted to install, and the same thing happened as did with the LeCree. The offset on the strut mount screws wouldn't allow them to be mounted to the car.
What gives? Has anyone else had strut mount issues with complete quickstruts? I then broke out the tape measure, and after further examination, it looks as if the mounts are not actually smaller, but turned to the incorrect mounting position in relation to the rest of the strut.
In order for the mount to fit, I would need to compress the spring, loosen the top nut, and re-position the strut mount on top of the strut.
Has anyone else seen anything like this? Is this just a total fluke?
10-02-2012, 02:31 PM
#15
If you are staying stock they are just fine. Yes chances are you will need to replace mounts, bearings, and isolators anyhow. This just makes the job quick and easy.
If you are paying some one to do the work they will tell you its cheaper to install quick struts. IMO shops are getting lazy.
If you can do the work its really up to you. If you do it yourself you could buy better parts to complete the job.
If you are paying some one to do the work they will tell you its cheaper to install quick struts. IMO shops are getting lazy.
If you can do the work its really up to you. If you do it yourself you could buy better parts to complete the job.
10-02-2012, 03:22 PM
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by shawnmos
Are these quick struts worth the price? Or should I just buy a spring compressor and standard struts? I don't imagine the springs go bad, but maybe they should be changed anyway after 15years/205k miles?
10-04-2012, 11:14 PM
#17
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 231
I didn't see a kit for the 93 Maxima GXE nor the 2003 Toyota Sienna xLe.
Any one that makes good to excellent complete strut assemblies for them?
Who takes/recycles the old assembly?
10-17-2012, 01:10 PM
#18
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I finally installed all of the FCS quick struts into my '97 I30, and assembly was pretty quick and painless besides me stripping the retaining nut on the bottom of the left rear strut. I got enough bite on the nut to tighten, but not as securely as I would have liked. What a stupid design to house the nut the way they did. The stripping ocurred because the retaining nut spun against the housing and chewed it up during tightening.
Anyway, I like the feel of the new struts, definitely more firm on the road. No more Buick like feel on the highway. No more noises when going over rough pavement or reversing out of my driveway; still trying to find the cause of my clunk when pulling out of a turn (turing right or left from stop sign), or accelerating hard though. Hopefully these struts last a while. For the record, both front struts arrived off-center, I had to rotate the top mount with the help of a long screwdriver into the proper position before installing.
Anyway, I like the feel of the new struts, definitely more firm on the road. No more Buick like feel on the highway. No more noises when going over rough pavement or reversing out of my driveway; still trying to find the cause of my clunk when pulling out of a turn (turing right or left from stop sign), or accelerating hard though. Hopefully these struts last a while. For the record, both front struts arrived off-center, I had to rotate the top mount with the help of a long screwdriver into the proper position before installing.
10-29-2012, 12:17 AM
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 9
I finally installed all of the FCS quick struts into my '97 I30, and assembly was pretty quick and painless besides me stripping the retaining nut on the bottom of the left rear strut. I got enough bite on the nut to tighten, but not as securely as I would have liked. What a stupid design to house the nut the way they did. The stripping ocurred because the retaining nut spun against the housing and chewed it up during tightening.
Same thing happened to me and I stripped it bad while I was removing the shocks... I even kind of twisted the metal parts that house the nut. I replaced the nut but it now rotates freely without the housing touching it... not 2 sure how I will get to tight it up safely
02-10-2013, 12:31 PM
#21
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 74
Just a small word of advice. The others in this thread had it right, there is a different distance between each of the strut bolts coming out of the mount; so you must turn the mount in order to get it in the correct spot (do not turn it too much). I shoved a screwdriver in it to turn it and it worked pretty well.
02-11-2013, 10:58 AM
#22
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02-11-2013, 04:23 PM
#23
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,883
Used the Monroe Quick Struts this summer, and one caveat. One of the two had nuts that didn't freely spin onto the strut mounts, so when using a ratchet to turn them, the nuts stripped the bolts. We were almost going to compress the spring and use the old strut mount, but that would have defeated the entire purpose of the quick strut, had to cut the tops off of the bolts so the old nuts could spin onto them....so just don't force anything I guess is my advice...
02-12-2013, 08:29 AM
#24
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 8
Just a small word of advice. The others in this thread had it right, there is a different distance between each of the strut bolts coming out of the mount; so you must turn the mount in order to get it in the correct spot (do not turn it too much). I shoved a screwdriver in it to turn it and it worked pretty well.
02-14-2013, 08:33 PM
#25
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 127
Mine was installed about a year ago and they're holding up quite well. Perhaps either the springs or the shock might be a bit softer thank originals. I remember when I had kybs on I could barely press down on the car, but with Monroe quick struck it goes down easy. The car doesn't bounce when driving on the highway though.
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