MPZX280 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hey all, New to the forum. Used to own a G35 but "downsized" recently to a 79 280zx as my second car. Got it for about 2k and it's in need of a few things. Interior is nice but stuff like the suspension needs work. I'm assuming it's all original, it might as well be! Reliability and cost are primary drivers here, I won't be racing, but I would like a quality setup. I'm interested in suggestions on what all I should replace (shocks,struts, springs, bushings, rods/arms, bearings etc) and what I should replace them with. I appreciate your inputs! Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 The struts don't wear out but the dampers inside can. Two ways to go here... The stock dampers or 'shocks' are valves in an oil bath inside the strut tube. You can dump them out and replace with a self contained shock insert. OR you can replace the watery hydraulic fluid with something thicker. I replaced my stock damper oil with 20W motorcycle for oil. The thicker oil resists being pushed through the internal valving and firms them up nicely. An advantage is that you can go thicker or thinner with the oil. I paid about $17 for one liter of Belray fork oil, enough to do 3 struts. Springs also don't wear out but sometimes they sag over time. While the springs are out you can replace them for something firmer or trim a coil off to both lower and firm them up. Have a care and don't just start cutting indiscriminately. There is a math formula for working out how much to cut to get the firmness you want. At the same time the lower spring perch can be trimmed off and it can then be supported by a splt collar. This allows you to set your own ride height. Collars are about $25 a pair. Ball joints and steering components? Get a good quality part like Moog or anything made in Japan. Bushings? Replace with rubber. They are better than the old worn out soft ones and avoids the problems with polly. Quote Link to comment
MPZX280 Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Thanks for the response. Is there a how-to on replacing the fluid, or is it pretty intuitive? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Post 303.... and 307 for bleeding the air out. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/17682-my-island-74-710/page-16 Quote Link to comment
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