Consider this before strut replacement

[J30inthe sun]

Hello J30 friends,

Well I just had my J30s front struts replaced today with Z31 300ZX KYB struts. They needed some slight modding like the other people that posted installing these in order to make the swap.

Previous to these, I had replaced my front struts at @ 110,000 miles with FACTORY inserts from INFINITIPARTSUSA in Arizona. Currently I am at 151,000 so the last front set I got @ 40,000 miles out of. The struts were in very bad condition without any rebound at all. With the full strut assembly removed from the car, disassembled & strut cartridge removed from the tube, I pushed down on the strut cartridge & they did not return up, there was no rebound at all both left & right. Also both struts were leaking oil very badly. I was surprised to see these struts in such bad condition at 40,000 miles & was surprised the ride was not worse or that either was blown out completely. Also last time I replaced my struts at @110,000 miles I replaced the front tension rod bushings. 2 weeks ago upon inspection the driver side bushing was leaking fluid & the passenger side didn't look far behind, so I replaced both with solid polyurethane S14 or Z32 bushings (they are an exact fit). Now I will never have to worry about them again.

Just like these:


Once again this car rides GREAT.

I think before anyone orders FACTORY INFINITI J30 inserts they should consider that they probably have been sitting around for a very looooong time since the last J30 was made @ 15 years ago. I think this is part of the reason why my front struts were is such bad condition at 40,000 miles. It certainly wasn't because I was driving hard & abusing them. I also believe age was an issue with the tension rod bushing failing at 40,000.

Sooo... I am 2 "new car" payments in on my J30 again.

For those keeping track:
2 weeks ago: solid urethane front tension rod bushing installed
Today: both front struts replaced.

Up next:
KYB rear struts
A/C compressor
Driver side front window

Future considerations :
Strut tower bar
300ZX sway bars front & rear
300ZX caliper swap/upgrade

[howy61]

Can you go into this a little more.

I just got my J30 off the stands, but I noticed both tension rod bushings leaking at the time. So I figure I need to do this and that it might just be the source of my speed bump noise too. Really wanting to postpone a front strut replacement if possible.

These bushings are look much wider than the OEM and the bushing only kits I have found on the internet don't appear to include a longer bolt that i assume is needed to use them.

Found differ kit based on the posting:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... rod=7.7105
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-7-3108R (from swimshark)

[J30inthe sun]

The bushing fit inside a bracket mounted to the frame so the existing bolts will fit. I think these were the same exact replacements as a 300ZX. You can call Z-Fever and ask. They knew for sure and did the work on my car about 4 months ago. http://www.zfever.com/ The front bushing they put in looked identical to the picture I posted in my previous post.

I think Swimshark totally modded his front suspension replacing it with S14 components.

[howy61]

I found the Energy site for the part and changed the link above.

The comments at that site indicate that you would need a press only for removing the old OEM bushing if you went that way.

So the question is do you really need a 20 ton press to remove the old bushings? Getting one from Habor Frieght is not a problem, but where to put it until needed again would be.

[J30inthe sun]

You do need a press. 3 bolt hold the tension bar in place. You could unbolt them in 10 minutes & bring them somewhere to have the old pressed out & the new bushing pressed in. I highly recommend polyurethane bushing. Do it once & be done forever. I learned the hard way. I was really disappointed with how quickly the factory replacements leaked.

[yodawill2000]

Hey J30inthesun..
Where did you purchase the solid polyurethane S14 or Z32 bushings ?

[J30inthe sun]

http://www.zfever.com/ I think I paid @ $75 for both .That is also the shop that installed them. You can get them cheaper yourself online.

[yodawill2000]

Thanks budski
Need both sides.. again !! lol
Think your right about the OEM age thing.
OEM stock has been on the rack for years with J30 stuff. Sad...

[Mkiisupra]

Can you post the part numbers for both the tension rod bushings and the KYB struts you installed? Also, any modifications you did to install the struts. I am in dire need of replacing the front struts and want to use KYB excel G instead of the typical monroe everyone seems to have used. KYB had slightly different dimensions for their front strut compared to the information provided by the Monroe website. I enjoy specific details if you will provide. Thanks.

[wingFeather]

Solid advice. These things make a huge difference in j30 handling.

I removed the factory tension rods completely & installed adjustables off eBay. Not only was it less expensive, but the suspension was tighter than stock.

[J30inthe sun]

Can you post the part numbers for both the tension rod bushings and the KYB struts you installed? Also, any modifications you did to install the struts. I am in dire need of replacing the front struts and want to use KYB excel G instead of the typical monroe everyone seems to have used. KYB had slightly different dimensions for their front strut compared to the information provided by the Monroe website. I enjoy specific details if you will provide. Thanks.

KYB Excel-G part # 365056. I had a professional shop do the mods & install them so I can't explain in detail how the mod goes. The front tension rod bushings were purchased & installed at the same shop so I don't have the part #.

http://www.zfever.com/


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