Front Struts for 1997 J30

[Dr.Don]

If any of you have a good set of front struts for a J30 that you took off after modding the front suspension, I would be interested in buying them. I am also reading about using the struts (inserts??) for late 80's 300zx. I have a broken spring that I am replacing and so long as the struts are coming out for that, it makes sense to replace the struts. Thanks for any advice or info.
Don

[AZhitman]

Hi Don -

"Leftover" ones will likely be in similar (or worse) condition. The Tokico Blue inserts are a great replacement insert, and several of our vendors have them for a good price.

Welcome aboard!

[yodawill2000]

Don't think they have one for the J kind Sir.
If I'm wrong please let us know !!

[Dr.Don]

Thanks to those that replied. One mentioned that Tokico has a replacement insert. Do you have a number, and does it require modification as some of the other suggested options do?

[Mkiisupra]

Tokico blue struts, whether there is an application that will fit the J30 or not, are not worth the money or time spent to replace them. Especially on heavy vehicles they are prone to fail very quickly and are usually underdampened compared to an oem unit. You would be better off with pretty much any other brand.

[yodawill2000]

I just wish I felt comfortable spending the money for OEM struts. I cant help but think they are dry rotted by now sitting on a shelf 10+ years.

[driverdriver]

Tokico use to make suspension parts for the J, they stopped producing them and I think the last time I saw anything on Ebay was 3-4 years ago.

[jon.jensen2]

I just finished the front struts on a '93 J30t and used the 1989 300ZX front units. They are on the shelf at most stores and cheap. I used a brass bushing at the top in the turn plate and shimmed the cartridge in the tube with some 1 1/2" pvc as detailed in the thread on here. The travel isn't as much as the OEM units, but the ride height is the same. The handling is sooooo much better than worn out units and can't beat the price.

[Dr.Don]

I have ordered inserts. I have been looking for instruction as to modifications necessary to make the KYB (late model 300zx)inserts fit my 97. Apparently, it is necessary to put a bushing around the shaft near the top of the shaft to increase the size from 3/4 to 1". The top nut apparently must be reamed to fit as well. I am having a local shop do the installation, but it would be helpful for them to know exactly what modifications/adaptations are necessary. Can anyone give me a link to the appropriate descriptions? Thanks to all who have helped so far.

[Mkiisupra]

The information is in the front strut option thread. Somewhere between pages 2-4. It also provides another option which I went with that gave nearly the same strut travel as oem but I have yet to purchase the bronze bushings and install the struts. I went with the option that did not require messing with the gland nut on top of the strut casing.

[Dr.Don]

We are about to replace the front struts with the KYB struts that fit the late 80's 300Z. There is a bushing required to fit around the threads at the top of the strut insert shaft. I need the outside diameter and the length to make it BEFORE we pull everything apart.
Thanks
Don

[Chris Halkides]

Hello,

This is my first post in a long time here. I am planning on having my front and rear shocks replaced on my 1997 J30t (150,000 miles). For the front I was planning on buying shock cartridges, top bearings, boots, and bushings from Joe. I am not 100% sure what to buy with respect to the rear suspension. Also, tomorrow I am taking my car to my shop to put the car on a rack so that they can inspect it. What sort of parts are most likely to need to be replaced? In other words, what should we be looking for?

[yodawill2000]

Anything rubber.
There is a bunch under there.

[Chris Halkides]

I took my car in, but they did not want to put it on a rack. We are changing the shock cartridge and boot on the front, and we are doing something similar for the rear. I ordered the parts last weekend.

[Mkiisupra]

Youre wasting a ton of money if youre buying oem cartridges that have been sitting on the shelf for 15-20 years.

[Chris Halkides]

Mk, I wish I had seen your response before I ordered (which was probably on the 21st). Do we know with certainty that this is the case? If so, from where should I have purchased them?

[yodawill2000]

There isn't any aftermarket struts for the J.
let me know the outcome of the struts you have coming.
If they don't appear dry rotted I may consider doing the same.
They may be in well sealed packs for all we know.

[Chris Halkides]

My shop seemed to think that the struts they installed were good. The car is riding fine, but I don't know how to quantitate strut performance.

[purnellusa]

Jon.jenson2 – I plan on installing the KYB’s from an 89 300ZX on my daughter’s 93 J30 this weekend. You mentioned two modifications. 1) the top bushing and 2) The 1 2/2” pvc inside the tube. Questions:
1) Were these the only two modifications?
2) Did you have to do anything to the pvc pipe or install as is?
Thanks,
Doug

[camn]

Hey.
I dont know if anyone is reading this old thread.. but I just did my fronts.
I put a little guide up here:
how-to-a-guide-to-strut-replacement-t56 ... l#p6572681

It should be pretty similar with your KYBs.