help please need new struts!

[tony96]

hey guys, i have a 93 j30t with 127k on it. i need some new struts. i want to know if i can use aftermarkets. if i can,what brand would you recomend and how much will it cost for all 4. thanx for any help in advance...

[elwesso]

I was thinking about this the other day, and I was wondering why no one has tried to use aftermarket shocks from the Z since theyre basically the same...

Im wondering if you could just use the strut mounts from the J and use the Z32 shocks..... Maybe not, i dont know... I would assume someone has tried it.....

To my knowledge you can only use the OEM (expensive) ones on the J30...

[maxnix]

I was thinking about this the other day, and I was wondering why no one has tried to use aftermarket shocks from the Z since theyre basically the same...

Put another 400 lbs. on the Z32 and a few more inches of wheelbase, and they are very similar.

If you really want to go aftermarket and spend the bucks to re-engineer the suspension, look for Diamond and DiamondJ30 posts.

[tony96]

Thanks for the reply, but I want to know if it is possible to use the aftermarkets from the z, but I want to know if you can help me with a sqeaky noise I've noticed when I accelerate from a complete stop. But it only does it once in a while. Also it shifts really hard out of first gear, but once out of first gear it shifts perfectly. One more thing when I shift from park to drive it jerks slightly.

[Q45tech]

Fit is one thing!

A shock must control the energy release from springs. Even 12% stiffer springs [Eibach lowering] destroy an oem shock or a Tokico blue fast. Same with 10% more weight on a corner or even 5% [total] more unsprung wheel tire weight............7 pound of supersized wheel tire increase is significant..........as that gets multiplied vis the +- 3.5 inch movement of suspension to a 25 plus effect.

New after market shocks are stiffer than oem when brand new to compensate for bushing/shock mount wear.......this comes at a price of faster degradation [using basic cheapo internal designs] to be price competitive.

OEM are perfectly matched [to try to get thru warranty] before the average numb owner notices much change............3 years ~~ 45k is long life for a shock assuming anything but ultra smooth roads.......every undulations/stroke wears on the seals. Yet people run them 100k and only notice how different the car handles after replacement.......the tiny slow day by day degradation.....goes unnoticed.

[tony96]

so basically just go with the factory struts for the j30. thanks

[diamond]

i use konis's.after years of useican run like a straight axle.saverly tight.with 40% over springs.i dont see a problem there.my setting are on low for years.lol.got 80k on my front konis,on lowest setting,firm as hell.no bounce at all.the problem is getting a matched set of struts.your best bet probly oem.if you want the car to handle better and feel smoother,put some real sway bars on the front and year..quickorsuspension.com---theres less than 2 inches clearance above my tires,cant afford to let them flop around in there,lol.something funny,i got konis with hr springs on one of my cars,on it you can easily push the bumber down.you cant push my j30 bumpers down .well if your 250-300 pounds you can.a little,lol

[diamond]

i know one thing,phil harris of truechoice races z's ..aftermarket z struts from koni dont work.but ones for a 96 i30 or maxima work in the front of j30's.i use yellows in front.adjustable.you dont have to be low to use them either,i have found out from experience.they have more oem feeling ones.dont have to get yellows..they are like 135 bucks apiece,pretty cheap i think.
Modified by diamond at 5:33 PM 3/24/2005