For Anyone who has replaced Shocks/Spring themselves

[matt0941]

Urgent question for anyone who has replaced shocks or struts:

I am in the middle of doing my front strut/shock replacement and have a question before I continue. By the way I am just about to finish combining the old spring with the new shock. In nissan performance mag for their replacement of the S13 (I have an S14) springs they say the following:

"On the front strut, one side of the top of the strut body is a flat edge. There is a small locating "pin" that uses the flat edge of the strut body to locate it, and there is a hole in the upper spring perch that is used to position the shock body and spring perch, as noted in pictures 9 and 10. Please note the "notch" that is pointed out in picture 9. When properly assembled, the two notches on the left and right struts are supposed to point directly to each other; in other words, the notch faces the engine."

What is supposed to face the engine on the camber plate:

A) the small divet on the outside which they point to in picture 9 ( http://www.nissanperformancema...9.jpg ) or

B) The attachment that goes over the thread in picture 10? ( http://www.nissanperformancema...0.jpg )

And how am I supposed to check if they point the engine, should they just be opposite of where the bolts mount to the strut (this peice in picture 2 http://www.nissanperformancema...2.jpg )? Because when either the divet or the notch are opposite the part where bolts connect, the spring doesnt seem to go in with ease - it would seem like one would have to force it in.

Thank you for your time in this horribly long post, but I NEED to get this done soon and am desperate.

[float_6969]

That small piece that goes over the strut is what is supposed to face the engine. With the spring compressed, you should be able to turn the whole spring seat until it faces the engine. As far as the camber plate goes, I think that it can only go in one way, as long as you have the left and right sides correct.

[matt0941]

The camber plate turns WITH the groove that is part of the shock. So I can turn the groove WITH the camber plate but as I start to release the spring it seems that it will have to curve in order to fit the camber plates position.

[lbrowne]

how did i not see this post earlier. I too am going to replace my front struts and I'm looking for a walkthrough on how to do it.

I have jsut OEM replacment struts on the way and I plan on using the existing springs. I also got the protective boots on order as well.

Any tips or tricks I should know about? Or any extra parts I should get while I'm at it?

[matt0941]

lbrowne if you still have not completed your front strut assemble PM message me or email me at [email protected] if you need any help. And check your camber plates, shock boots, and strut/shock mounts for wear/tear before putting everything back together.

[lbrowne]

I did the job already on the passenger side. Wasn't too bad. Everything seemed to be ok, some parts a lil rusted but not enough to replace.

I put on new boots and zip tied them on and everything is good to go. I'm doing the driver side this Wednesday, but thanks for the offer!

Its funny though, the camber plates were rusted in a way that they marked the top of the spring, so it was very easy to put the camber plate back on exactly how it came off

[matt0941]

Haha good to hear, the one time where I have heard where rust was actually beneficial.