Front end suspension sounds like a tractor - suspension advice & clearance issues... HELP!

[mikeym]

Howdee all -

When it gets cold out - the front end of my Z sounds like a tractor - all squeeky and creaky when going over bumps.

Here's what I got going on:

ALL STOCK FRONT SUSPENSION WITH 19" WHEELS...

Anyway - so I'm going to do sway bar bushings for sure...

More questions:

1) Do I need to replace the front sway bar links while I'm in there?

2) Can the Tension Rod bushing cause a creaky noise too?

3) Should I be doing the lower control arm bushings?
- I'm not sure how involved the lower control arm bushings are - the sway bar and tension rod bushings look like a piece of cake...


4) Need to replace front struts - thinking of going with coilovers - but the car is on 19's w/ stock ride right now & spacers on front wheels & extended lug studs... and I worry that lowering it anymore will cause fender rub.

4a) Do coilovers allow for you to get the car at stock height? most I've seen says its at least a 1" drop... Was planning on going budget - EMUSA or just getting Tokico HP units and keeping the stock springs and not worrying about the drop at all... however my stock springs look pretty crudzy...

4b) If I went with stock springs - I need to replace all the mounts, correct? The old shock mounts are probably too worn to use.

Thanks guys!

~mikeym

[z.Leinbach]

As for the squeaks and creeks are definitely old bushings, and it would be best to upgrade the end links, your in there might as well do it so you won't have to go bacj in there

[spiffy]

On the Nissan Primera(infiniti g20) which shares a similar multilink suspension the most common cause of squeeky noise comes from the upper control arm, wouldn't surprise me if its the same on the z.

And as far as 19" and coilovers rubbing that all depends on wheel size, width and ET of rim. I had 19's and dropped on coilovers and never rubbed, but it wasn't the most aggresive fitment either.



You don't need to change end links but when you buy bushings they often come as kits with new links, might as well do it all.

The control arm bushing is usually a pain in the a**, regardless of the car, unless you have access to a press or you melt it out with a burner, that's why most people just swap the entire control arm.
Unless there is play in it or its cracked or anything I'd let it be..

[mikeym]

Thanks guys... going to order sway bushings and links and go from there. Any point to doing the tension rod bushing?

[spiffy]

Not unless it's got excess play in it but if you're planning on lowering you might wanna consider swapping it out with something adjustable along with the upper control arm because this suspension isn't adjustable so when you lower it it screws up your alignment.
That's why most lowering springs for it only lower it about an inch or so. Anything more and it'll mess up the geometry.
And if you buy something adjustable don't buy race stuff, buy something streetable :-)

[mikeym]

I may just end up going with stock springs and tokico HP inserts... any good places to buy new OEM style stock springs? Or should I not even bother?

Thanks!

Thatracer05

[spiffy]

rockauto.com
courtesynissan.com and maybe conceptzperformance and z1motorsports

[mikeym]

so - thanks everyone for your help.

Installed new front swaybar bushings... tension rod bushings... struts, toppers and gaskets and the sound is gone!

Also - she now handles like a sports car too. what a difference! its like night and day...

Took her up for a nice little run through the twisties and pushed her a bit - drove great!

~mikeym