Q's back up jacks, suspension, rear diff, steering boots, and...

[qsiguy]

Since I snapped the rear wheel stud and had to put the car back on the jacks I decided to take the opportunity to complete the install of more parts that have been waiting patiently in my garage.

Started on the suspension. New Tokico Blues and Cali Customs springs going on. The rears are done, pics below. I ordered several new rear wheel studs and a couple for the front just for spares from Joe. Also ordered new rear diff bushings so I can get my 4.08 installed, and a new speed sensor gear as well for speedo correction.

So on the to do list:

Tokico Blues/Cali Customs springs (fronts still to do)Unitrax 4.08 rear diffRe-gear speed sensorFront steering bootsAdjustable front tension rodsActive model rear sway bar (if it will fit around the turbo plumbing/exhaust)transmission coolerand possibly a new front mount intercooler if I can sneak it into the budget

Here's how the OEM rear springs compare to the Cali Customs

Passenger side rear

Drivers side rear

[MinisterofDOOM]

Did you order the speedo gear from Joe as well, or from somewhere else?

[qsiguy]

Yes, from Joe. Can remember how much, haven't picked parts up yet. Was only about $15 ish. I have one from the donor car but since it was so cheap I decided to get one and make sure it was the right one.

[elwesso]

Finally installing the stuff on the car.. Nice. What made you decide to want to put the 4.08 on the Q? i woudlnt think you'd want taller gears since you're just destined to kill yourself from spinning round and round!!

what are you doing for camber correction.

[maxnix]

what are you doing for camber correction.

Yeah, really! Those things look about 2" shorter in free length.

What are you doing for ride degradation?

Ouch!!

[qsiguy]

Ride quality is a matter of opinion. I'm sure it will be night and day difference as the old shocks were useless. This is my racecar now, not interested in a "Cadillac" type ride.

What are you using for camber correction Wes? Should be the same setup that you have, correct? I assume I need some adjustable uppers. Haven't selected a set yet, any suggestions?

I want some improvement in the bottom end. Off the line is the only area I'm not happy with. I'm not big on top speed, I want acceleration......and I want to smoke the tires from a rolling 20-40 mph start! Ya baby!

EDIT: Are the Ebay sets any good? Here's a set with upper control arms and tension rods. Not opposed to getting different tension rods, mine are green I could always sell the ones I have. Anyway, what's the verdict on the E-Bay upper control arms? I guess I need the rears as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW
Modified by qsiguy at 10:27 AM 5/9/2008

[qsiguy]

Here's a set of rears on ebay right now. I assume these go around the shock?

[qsiguy]

So I've been doing some searching around NICO and some reports say the 300Z uppers are too short and others say they are fine. There are many SPL copies on E-Bay and they all look basically identical. The rear ring type as I listed above are typical as well. SPL does have a 1/2 circle one that would be easier to install but I need to know if the 300Z uppers front and rear will work on the '94 G50 non active.

Anyone? I already searched and get conflicting info. Sounds like Wes, you are running the 300Z style adjustable uppers, do you have front and rear? Ready to order, need some answers.

Here's are ones I'm currently considering if they will fit.Front Upperhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...h=020

Rear Upperhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...h=020

[elwesso]

Shane

I am using the solid adjustable upper links. If you get those you have to go with solid tension rods as well! The Z UL's work great so long as theyre adjustable..

Im not sure if they ebay brands are good? I use all SPL so I dont worry.. Pricey but worth it IMO, I'll never have to replace a tension rod or upper link ever again!

All 300ZX suspension links WILL work so long as theyre adjustable. im not sure why you'd put stock Z parts on a Q but all the upgrade goodies are good!

[qsiguy]

Thanks, I already have the solid adjustable tension rods, bought from a NICO member a while ago. I am going to have to take my chances with the ebay stuff, I can't swing the SPL parts right now. I was never considering any OEM 300Z parts. The ones I'm looking at are all adjustable. About anything will be an improvement. My current tension rods have been toast for a while and the shocks have been shot for a while as well.

[qsiguy]

Ok, I surveyed the rear upper arms and there are two. I don't see how replacing one with an adjustable version would work without doing something with both of them. Can someone elaborate on how this works in the rears?

[banshee08]

qsiguy,

I would not get the ebay set. I have had them on my 94 Q for about 6 months with Cali Custom and they all failed on me. They also make so much noise I could not stand them. I would hold and save up for the SPL ones. I even bought the ebay set from the same seller and they never got back to me about warranty service.

Just a note.

Chan

[qsiguy]

Good to know, thank you. Can you be more specific on how they failed? Photos? Did they actually break? My front tires are already worn on the inside badly because of the alignment and work tension rods so I guess it's not going hurt to wait a bit for the better ones. What's up with the SPL front uppers, they show that they are not available on the site.

Also, I still would like to know exactly how they work in the rear since there are two upper arms on each side. I understand the front because there is only one upper but in the rear with two uppers if you only make one adjustable I don't see how it would work. Anyone have photos of SPL's or any other adjustable aftermarket upper control arms installed on a G50?

I ordered a transmission cooler from Summit Racing yesterday and also ordered a front mount intercooler. Should have them both in a week or so.

[elwesso]

Because the round one really only controls camber, the other one is more for toe... Both are mildly adjustable...

Hit up twinturbo.net and some of the other Z forums. Sometimes guys sell stuff cheap (thats where I got all mine)

[jamesmost]

Qs - did u get the diff bushings ?? i was told on back order for a month nowgoing to get the energy susp ones, (thats whats on my car now)they just failed , were installed 8/31/06 50k mi ago i think

u can get them from energy suspension - they have it listed for the 90-96 300zx. contact info:(800) 291-5340 ORDERS ONLY(209) 578-0562 (FAX)Suspension Restoration Parts Co.319-B Motor City Ct.Modesto, California 95356 USAwith shipping was $31.00 part #:Rear differential carrier bushing set7.1108

i had copies of the spl front uppers that failed me, and a set of Stillen front uppers that broke as wellnow i have the real SPL no issues - they are hard to get though-low production runsmy rear uppers are stillen for the 300z

[qsiguy]

I ordered some new OEM diff bushings from Joe. I may upgrade to some aftermarket ones down the road. Which bushings do those replace? Are those just the front bushings? What about the rear subframe bushings? Also, can you be more specific on how they failed? I keep hearing about these adjustable uppers failing/breaking. I'd like to know some specifics on how/what broke. I'd love some photos.

Thanks for the info.

[jamesmost]

My stillen front arms were noisy, from the bushings, when thwy failed i think it was the right front one that literally cracked in half. not the 2 piece construction seperating but cracked through the entire arm.

the knock off SPL arms forget which side failed, and the company sent me a replacement set. I believe that the point where the inner and outer sections met collapsed, maybe there was not enough of the center of the arm inside each other (double sleeved)

the part # is for the differential 4 bushings total 2- mount to subreameand 2- on the companion flange side. My local dealor says there is no info on the diff bushings, so prob none in the country at this timeJames

the subframe bushings are also listed on their site 90-96 300zx rear subframe bushings
Modified by jamesmost at 10:53 AM 5/13/2008

[jamesmost]

Since I snapped the rear wheel stud and had to put the car back on the jacks I decided to take the opportunity to complete the install of more parts that have been waiting patiently in my garage.

Started on the suspension. New Tokico Blues and Cali Customs springs going on. The rears are done, pics below. I ordered several new rear wheel studs and a couple for the front just for spares from Joe. Also ordered new rear diff bushings so I can get my 4.08 installed, and a new speed sensor gear as well for speedo correction.

So on the to do list:

Tokico Blues/Cali Customs springs (fronts still to do)Unitrax 4.08 rear diffRe-gear speed sensorFront steering bootsAdjustable front tension rodsActive model rear sway bar (if it will fit around the turbo plumbing/exhaust)transmission coolerand possibly a new front mount intercooler if I can sneak it into the budget

Here's how the OEM rear springs compare to the Cali Customs

Passenger side rear

Drivers side rear

my mechanic said i need the left side "heim joint" where the uca bolts to chassis (subframe) infiniti says its part of the subframe and not available seperate?mechanic said it is slightly adjustable , u know what he is saying ? from ur pic it seems not to be adjustable and part of subframealso no part # on exploded view if i am looking at correct thing

[maxnix]

Im not sure if they ebay brands are good? I use all SPL so I dont worry.. Pricey but worth it IMO, I'll never have to replace a tension rod or upper link ever again!

SPL is meant to have an improved upper link out thei summer. There is a world of difference between genuine SPL and the copies. Someone had their copy tension rod break not too long ago.

I like one Q45 for performance and one for daily use.

[jamesmost]

ok so what went bad was the heim joint on the stillen uca thats the rotating knuckle.stillen wanted $120 shipped for the heim joint, and that was after a series of no no no not sold seperatethe guys at 300zxClub.com recommended this for $125 for pair:> or each not surehttp://www.courtesyparts.com/M...1101R

[Rex]

IIRC, Q45tech talks of using washers as shims with the OE FUCA's.

For the rears, I'd get as high quality (full circle if possible) you can get your hands on. It might be worth contacting one ton garage and see if there's anything available from JDM. He's an official NICO sponsor now .

[jamesmost]

ok so what went bad was the heim joint on the stillen uca thats the rotating knuckle.stillen wanted $120 shipped for the heim joint, and that was after a series of no no no not sold seperatethe guys at 300zxClub.com recommended this for $125 for pair:> or each not surehttp://www.courtesyparts.com/M...1101R

$125 for pair - guy at nissan said they are manufactured for him, and they have had no problems in the 5 years they have been selling them, and they have dust boots over the heim joint.James

[qsiguy]

Those look like a good deal. At this point I'm a little more concerned with the front uppers. Need to find a good option.

On a similar note, we've talked about that new (relatively) magazine, Project Car Tuner, and the current issue they do all of these parts on an S14 which is very similar except for the front uppers, which the S14 does not have. They share some great information. Apparently in the previous issue they did a few of the first mods to this car and had an article on alignment. I'm going to look for the last issue or maybe order a copy. They have some good articles, even tho we pretty much all agreed they blew it on the Q45 they built.

I also found these photos on the web somewhere. Good addition to this discussion. These are photos of the parts in question on a Z32. Unfortunately, I can't remember the brand of these parts, wasn't SPL. I'll have to search for it again and find out.

Front Uppers

Front Tension Rod

Rear Setup.

Rear setup parts

Front Lowers

[qsiguy]

Joe's got my parts in, not sure why you couldn't get the diff bushings, he got them in a couple days...on my way to pick them up in a minute.

Anyone have a spare bolt for the front of the tension rod? The one that goes through the bushing? Mine was rusted in and I destroyed it getting it out.

[jamesmost]

Joe's got my parts in, not sure why you couldn't get the diff bushings, he got them in a couple days...on my way to pick them up in a minute.

Anyone have a spare bolt for the front of the tension rod? The one that goes through the bushing? Mine was rusted in and I destroyed it getting it out.

not sure why either, maybe Joe had them in stockhad the suspension tech bushing installed last week and car is solid as a rock nowwill install the UCA'si mentioned earlier next week ,bty they look beautiful.the heim joint is completely rubber booted.

[qsiguy]

I didn't get the rear ones that get pressed into the subframe. Did you get those? I got 4 bushings. Two are fused to a metal washer and go on the bottom front and two that are just large rubber "washers" that go above the diff also on the front.

I couldn't find where you said but what are you currently using for the front UCA's?

On another note, my boss happens to have a nice fender roller so I brought it home. I'll post some pics of the process. Not sure I'll need it but it couldn't hurt and will be easy with this roller.

FMIC, transmission cooler, and some new BOV/boost gauge 1/4" tube showed up while I was out of town last week. I need to get busy installing! Need my Q with A/C on the road, it was 109*F today and my little p/u has no A/C

[qsiguy]

The rear wheel hub is kicking my butt. What size is that giant retaining nut? 35-36mm? According to my cheesy plastic calipers it looks like about 36mm. Can someone verify? I couldn't find the size listed in the FSM, just the torque specs.

[elwesso]

when i took mine off i went through my stash of huge standard sockets i was thinking it was about 1.5in, which is 38mm and it wasnt a perfect fit... 38 isnt a really common size so im guessing that 36 will do it...

[SuperHatch]

The rear wheel hub is kicking my butt. What size is that giant retaining nut? 35-36mm? According to my cheesy plastic calipers it looks like about 36mm. Can someone verify? I couldn't find the size listed in the FSM, just the torque specs.

Yes, if you are reffering to the nut holding the axle into the hub, then it is 36mm.

I'm sorry I'm just seeing this thread now. Please email me your phone number and I'll call you and talk you through absolutely all of your questions. I've replaced every bushing on an S-car, a Z, and the Q is the same as the Z32. I can explain to you why the one UCA is all that's needed in the rear, and talk you through a host of other questions. There is just so much covered in this thread I don't want to write a book.

[qsiguy]

Thanks for the info, checked Ace Hardware and Home Depot...no big sockets! Checker Auto saves the day. They have a bunch of them, impact or standard. Had the nut off in 30 seconds with the impact when I got home

I've read a few articles on the suspension subject so I get the rear UCA now. Guess I should make separate threads on each item so they are easier to search and catalog for others looking for help. I tend to do a bunch of projects at the same time...