Anybody know if Infiniti ever redesigned replacement Shocks/Struts for 2nd Gen?

[BadQ45t]

So as the Y33 guys know we're having to drag Cima parts over from Japan to get lowering springs and better shocks. Thanks to Kevin Faulk our man with the Japanese connection I have a set of Tein lowering springs in the garage ready to install. I have been working with Kevin to get a set of KYB high performance gas charged struts to replace my very worn out stockers at 83k but he hasn't yet been able to get me a set and I'm really starting to leak out of the left rear. I found them from one place for $875 with a 3 month wait!!!! I love my Q but almost 900 bucks (it will be more with CA tax) for what I have bought for my 300ZX, Maxima, and other cars for 300-400 bucks!

So the question of the day, has Nissan redesigned our replacement struts (I'm assuming they are Tokiko like our G50 brothers were stock but maybe not) to use gas instead of the oil filled. I have already heard horror stories from people having them oil filled blow up (I saw my 84' Z blow up in my mechanics face once) and I will think about shelling the huge bucks out of this is the only way to get gas charged.

Anybody know, Joe wants about $450 for the OEM replacments which sounded high at first but is looking pretty good right now. How do people think these wlll mate up to the Tein springs?

[Q45tech]

For the past 25 years Nissan shocks have all been Nitrogen charged to reduce oil cavitation. Self expand when compressed.

Lowering [stiffer] springs [wear out shocks faster]!Beyond asthetics what does lowering offer a 1-2% at best impovement.

[DrewQ45]

Beyond asthetics what does lowering offer a 1-2% at best impovement.

The improvement percentage rises when you take into consideration that people are usually replacing very old springs with new. I'm hoping to replace my original (196K) springs which need replacing anyway. Brand new lowering springs are cheaper than OEM.

...Drew...

[maxnix]

The improvement percentage rises when you take into consideration that people are usually replacing very old springs with new.

Can you explain how that works?

KYB made the struts for the FY33.

G50 and FY33 are a study in contrasts as alternative designs, suppliers, methods were used on each.

[Jesda]

Worn out suspension, replaced with ANY new suspension, is an improvement. If you can also make it look good, then great.

[elwesso]

Worn out suspension, replaced with ANY new suspension, is an improvement. If you can also make it look good, then great.

[Falkdesigns]

For the past 25 years Nissan shocks have all been Nitrogen charged to reduce oil cavitation. Self expand when compressed.

Lowering [stiffer] springs [wear out shocks faster]!Beyond asthetics what does lowering offer a 1-2% at best impovement.

The stock front shocks on the Y33 Q45 are oil filled, non-gas inserts, but we believe they may have changed that recently to a gas charged insert. The KYB SR Specials that I managed to get from Japan are gas charged, sport shocks / struts.

Lowering springs wear out OEM shocks marginally quicker, but not everyone cares about getting 60k out of them. I personally have NEVER owned a car for more than 45k anyhow. So you get dramatically (subjective to individual tastes) better looks, less nose dive on braking, tighter in cornering / less body roll, I don't really see any negative to this. Not everyone likes the OEM look.

I suppose in some po-dunk town's people don't care about appearance, but out here, people do care, that's why there's a tire / wheel / customization shop every 4 blocks. Driving is a passion for people out here, we have numerous race tracks, some of the best spirited canyon driving you could dream of, and to quote Barry Meguiar, people here are "car crazy".

[BadQ45t]

I think the rears are oil filled too, for certain Faulk is right the fronts are oil filled and i know the 84-89 300ZX (non-Turbo) were oil filled too, I personally watched my mechanic get a face full of oil as he removed the strut insert.

Thanks all, nobody knew more than you Kevin about this car (what I expected). I'm hopeful you pull out a miracle buy, if not stock here I come.

[Q45tech]

All shocks are filled with oil. The question was whether the oil was pressurized with Nitrogen.........many shocks only vary by the psi of Nitrogen.......low, medium, or high psi.

Whether the shock [brand new] self expands or not.

[Falkdesigns]

True, but I think what he meant is are the new OE replacements gas charged or not. The original shocks were not, although you suggest that all Nissan shocks for the past 25 years are.

Jeff, the OE shocks on Y33's are'nt Tokico, they're KYB.

[maxnix]

I never have seen a McPherson strut not be gas charged.

Doesn't mean it couldn't happen, but......

[BadQ45t]

Nissan for sure made oil charged ones, I personally saw the oil gush out the top of my 84' when the mechanic opened it up, he looked like Curly from the Three Stooges with the oil all over his face. I also know for sure the rears are oil (albeit not McPherson struts) because mine is leaking oil.

[Falkdesigns]

They all have oil in them. The rears are conventional, but the fronts are a strut insert. They are sealed inside the strut housing, and full of oil. They are not sealed in any way, they have openings in the bottom for the oil to go in and out, the only thing that keeps the oil in is the screw on O-ring sealed top. I personally have never seen a strut design like this before. What I replaced them with are sealed, gas charged units, totally different from the OEM NON-sealed, oil-bath units.

[maxnix]

They all have oil in them. The rears are conventional, but the fronts are a strut insert. They are sealed inside the strut housing, and full of oil. They are not sealed in any way, they have openings in the bottom for the oil to go in and out, the only thing that keeps the oil in is the screw on O-ring sealed top. I personally have never seen a strut design like this before. What I replaced them with are sealed, gas charged units, totally different from the OEM NON-sealed, oil-bath units.

All shocks are filled with oil.

Yeah, the oil bath is weird. Maybe to isolate noise and vibration? Just don't know.

Off course the Tokicos for the G50 are all gas charged, just like the Bilsteins for BMW. Hmmmm.....Bilstein for the FY33? Might have to email them.

[johngalt]

They all have oil in them. The rears are conventional, but the fronts are a strut insert. They are sealed inside the strut housing, and full of oil. They are not sealed in any way, they have openings in the bottom for the oil to go in and out, the only thing that keeps the oil in is the screw on O-ring sealed top. I personally have never seen a strut design like this before. What I replaced them with are sealed, gas charged units, totally different from the OEM NON-sealed, oil-bath units.

Is this applicable to Y33 with the touring package? Specifically a '99 Q t?

[Falkdesigns]

I seriously doubt it as the 99-01 T model has adjustable dampers.

[maxnix]

I seriously doubt it as the 99-01 T model has adjustable dampers.

I think it is as the design is the same with the addition of the electronic valve switching on each shock. Hence their expense at replacemnt time.

[Falkdesigns]

Yeah, the design is the same, but I haven't ever seen adjustable dampers that use an oil-bath system like the Y33 non-T and pre-99 T does. Seems like it would be much easier to achieve electronic adjustability with a traditional gas pressure insert to me, but I'm only speculating.

[johngalt]

I have the car right here - I can *try* to look at it if there is anything in particualr I need to look for Kevin.

Or if ya want I can call ya / email ya.