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Suspension broke while on jacks. Advice on what to do?


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I have had my car up on jacks for about 5 months now while messing with the fuel hard lines and gas tank. I got home tonight from a vacation and now I see that my wheel is hanging a lot lower than before. It looks like something broke loose because the rear left spring does not look like this.

 

I was planning on redoing my suspension down the road since the car is too low with cut stock springs that made every bump rub. I am not real knowledgeable about suspension even though I have been reading numerous posts.

I want to get 16x8 Rota RBs along with a stiffer spring set up than stock. I typically drive the car only on the freeway and as a weekend cruiser. I have never been to the track but I would like a mild performance set up so that I can do some in the future.

 

What I am hoping is some opinions on what I should buy based on my driving habits.

Based on some posts I have read, it seems that coil overs are more for hardcore track racers which I am not. So if you had my problem and my 1975 280Z, what would you recommend I get and from where? What would be sufficient for my driving without spending more than I need to for my mostly street car?

 

Thanks!

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I have had my car up on jacks for about 5 months now while messing with the fuel hard lines and gas tank. I got home tonight from a vacation and now I see that my wheel is hanging a lot lower than before. It looks like something broke loose because the rear left spring does not look like this.

 

I was planning on redoing my suspension down the road since the car is too low with cut stock springs that made every bump rub. I am not real knowledgeable about suspension even though I have been reading numerous posts.

I want to get 16x8 Rota RBs along with a stiffer spring set up than stock. I typically drive the car only on the freeway and as a weekend cruiser. I have never been to the track but I would like a mild performance set up so that I can do some in the future.

 

What I am hoping is some opinions on what I should buy based on my driving habits.

Based on some posts I have read, it seems that coil overs are more for hardcore track racers which I am not. So if you had my problem and my 1975 280Z, what would you recommend I get and from where? What would be sufficient for my driving without spending more than I need to for my mostly street car?

 

Thanks!

 

Looks to me that your upper strut insulator separated. Replace it.

 

G

 

 

 

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ztore is having a sale. I think that these would do the job for less money but might give a little rougher ride, with urethane versus stock rubber - http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/wes-02a/23-4189

 

They're selling springs also - http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/wes-02a

 

You might consider the wrecking yard for a replacement stock insulator and the zstore Eibach springs to get some ride height back, but still lowered.

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First question is do you have stock springs?

 

Here is an excellant tutorial on the rear suspension from Ataltic Z. Scroll through it and you will see how the insulator, spring perch and spring are assembled. If you search around you can still get the insulators. Used ones are available from places like the Z Barn.

 

http://atlanticz.ca/...rend/index.html

 

 

For both of my 240Z V8 street cars I did the following:

 

Arizona Z springs- Spring rates Front 180 lb/in Rear 200 lb/in. May no longer be available, but the spring rates are fine for a daily driver. Check with Dave at Arizona Z. Just get stock ride height non-progresive springs ( not a fan).

 

Tokico Blue Shocks (struts)

 

New Nissan insulators, bearings (required for front only), rubber spacers etc.

 

Energy suspension poly urethane suspension bushings. You will want buy a pivit pin removal tool for the rear control arms. Do a search in the suspension section and you will learn why you will need it.

 

Stock Nissan tension/compression bar bushings.

 

Poly urethane steering coupler

 

Solid front differential mount. The noise is not excessive and there have been no problems in ten years.

 

Spend some time reading in the suspension section. Pick up a copy of "How to Restore your Datun Z Car" as it has a lot of information not available in service manuals.

 

If you do the work yourself you will need a spring compresser in addition to the pivit pin removal too (if changing out bushings). The pivit pin removal tool used to be available fome a Hybrid member for sale or there may be a loaner available. Do a search.

Edited by Miles
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ztore is having a sale. I think that these would do the job for less money but might give a little rougher ride, with urethane versus stock rubber - http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/wes-02a/23-4189

 

They're selling springs also - http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/wes-02a

 

You might consider the wrecking yard for a replacement stock insulator and the zstore Eibach springs to get some ride height back, but still lowered.

 

So would the urethane ones replace the $214 ones I found? Or does the rubber one need to fit into that urethane camber kit?

 

I have looked all over this forum and read all the threads in the FAQs section. I just need a little more clarification.

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They would but apparently they might not be such a good idea. The urethane is stiffer than the original rubber.

 

Read this thread - http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/100525-tep-bolt-in-camber-plates/

 

Here's another in the same vein - http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/100574-factory-strut-top-insulators-without-the-rubber-pics-inside/page__pid__953187#entry953187

 

Your best option is to just replace it with a used stock insulator. They really shouldn't wear out unless they're abused. Check the local wrecking yards.

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