New struts for $40!!!!!!

[yodawill2000]

Nice work !!!
I will probably do the same maneuver but I also plan on replacing ALL the rubber components.
I see you didn't replace the bellow.

[J30_Kidd]

Bellow? What part is that, i'm guessing thats what you call that rubber like bushing that usually holds the plastic boot to cover the strut rod? The one that came off the old one would just slide all the way down and being xmas eve and already into the project i just left it out, didn't feel like hunting for it or just stopping the project. I'm gonna have to put that in though but now that i know what do do it shouldn't be hard to take it out and put it in when i do it. Does it also act like a shim or bushing between the strut rod and that upper coil plate? I'm gonna go inspect how that bellow sat on the old one right now.

[J30_Kidd]

Ok went and got pics and looked it up online. It's a Bumper/bellow and ya i'm sure i should have the bumper in case it bottoms out and the bellow to keep the dirts out lol. Doesn't looking like it acts like a bushing though, The old one just sat on the bigger groove on the strut rod and from these pics it seems it had space unless it bottomed out. The noise i hear is just the brakes squeaking and being noisy. Though it's making a squishy sound when i push down, sounds weird.... I hope these struts aren't bad. Is this normal?

BTW yes i also left out that metal piece cause it had a D shape in the ID to slip onto the old strut. Only job it had was to hold it in place when you tightened or loosened the Nut. I figured with the strut still being shorter then stock it wouldn't miss the 1 mm spacer in there.

This is what i need http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0035

First the Whole thing

Up close

Third , originally the top coil hat would sit on the groove and that spacer on top of it. Still space between it and that bumper.

And it all naked.


Merry Christmas Everyone!

[Gerardjg]

Excellent I like that spring compressor was that a rental? Has anyone heard of Gabriel Struts my local Auto Zone has this brand for the VW/Porsch at $25.99 each.

This is great I will be able to change the struts and shocks on the 95 for about what it cost me for sales tax and shipping on OEM fronts when I did the 97.

Thanks for the measurements, those bushings I noted above will work in stead of the rubber, the smaller one will need the ID opened to fit the shaft,

McMaster Carr.com part numbers This came to $13.00 shipped.

This one for the top for the bearing to ride in
6659K14
Metric SAE 841 Bronze Flanged Sleeve Bearing for 12 mm Shaft Diameter, 17 mm OD, 12 mm Length $0.77 ea

This one to center the shaft in the nut- the oil seal will need to be removed.

6659K45
Metric SAE 841 Bronze Flanged Sleeve Bearing for 22 mm Shaft Diameter, 27 mm OD, 18 mm Length 3.02 ea

[J30_Kidd]

I'll have to look into those bushings your talking about, i gotta open it back up in the future to put those bumper/bellows on and etc. maybe see about replacing the axle/ball joint cause i believe that bushing is bad.

The Spring compressor tool i got at http://www.harborfreight.com/single-act ... 43753.html

It used to be 40$ but the price went up to like 90$
Lucky i had a coupon from my bosses inside track club membership and i got it for 30$.

[J30_Kidd]

Ok, I have a question regarding struts, If they sit on the shelf at the auto store for a while, can they go bad? I ask this because though they improved the ride a bit, they weren't the improvement like i got when i did the rear, going over speed bumps today at work i noticed it still didn't recover over speed bumps and the bottom of the car would scratch and hit. It ain't stiff like the back ones are. Feels like it bounces over the speed bumps. Only way to not get the bounce was to go over them kinda fast. Now i'm debating is it due to a bad set of struts or can these struts not handle the J's Weight. OH NOES!!!!!!!!!

Whats ya'lls thoughts?

[jdurrty]

Mine were a little soggy when I first got them, but then stiffened up the more I used them. Yours will most likely stiffen up, but we ordered different inserts so I cant say for certain. Either way, you sir, have my stamp of approval

[Gerardjg]

BTW yes i also left out that metal piece cause it had a D shape in the ID to slip onto the old strut. Only job it had was to hold it in place when you tightened or loosened the Nut. I figured with the strut still being shorter then stock it wouldn't miss the 1 mm spacer in there.

Ok, I have a question regarding struts, If they sit on the shelf at the auto store for a while, can they go bad? I ask this because though they improved the ride a bit, they weren't the improvement like i got when i did the rear, going over speed bumps today at work i noticed it still didn't recover over speed bumps and the bottom of the car would scratch and hit. It ain't stiff like the back ones are. Feels like it bounces over the speed bumps. Only way to not get the bounce was to go over them kinda fast. Now i'm debating is it due to a bad set of struts or can these struts not handle the J's Weight. OH NOES!!!!!!!!!

Whats ya'lls thoughts?

Is it possible the the Strut Shaft is floating up and down in the mount. That Spacer you left out with the D shape hole PN 54085 appears to be what locked the strut into the mount. The Nut up top and that spacer below the bearing?. It is called a washer/seat in the parts drawing

[J30_Kidd]

Well stopped by another oriellys auto parts today to check to see if those boxes had the parts. Sure Enough one did and the other box didn't, the good news about it is from what i saw, looks like that bushing that comes with it well take the place of the PVC pipe. :-)

Gerardjg: in regards to that washer. The factory strut had a D shape at the top before the threads which that washer slid over and on that washer on each side are tabs that would catch two other tabs located on the top hat housing so when tightening and Un-tightening the top bolt the strut rod it self would catch aiding in the removal or replacement process. when i tightened down that bolt on both sides it pressed everything against the strut rod. That sound i heard is gone, just the softness atm.

BUT !!! This Friday i'll be redoing it with the replacement struts i hope. I'll be sure to put some bumper/bellows in to :-) And i hope that bushing it comes with fits perfect lol.

[J30_Kidd]

Ok got the New ones today, actually have the spare parts but i was told these are newer and now don't come with a 3rd Cap bushing or what not, according to the directions it's true ehh... I also got some bumper/bellow kits so don't worry Yoda lol. Also got my strut compressor tool swapped out, FYI if anyone buys that tool from harbor freight Get a washer for it to put between the rod and the Non-Threaded hole. If any question on that, just look at the picture on the box and you'll see it. It doesn't come with that washer nor the directions say anything bout it. Should do this friday unless i feel up for it tomorrow after work lol. IDK bout that though hahahaha. I'll take some pics tomorrow.

Also i was reading up on the weight and weight ratio on the cars. If i'm right this is what i got outta it.

Porsche 944 weight bout 3000 lbs with a 50/50 ratio so about 1500 pounds in the front.

J30 weight bout 3500 lbs with a 57/43 ratio so about 2000 lbs in the front.

The Nissan 300zx is bout 3200 lbs with 50/50 ratio so 1600 lbs.

If this is all true i can't see why these struts wouldn't be able to handle the J30 if those 300zx struts handled the J30

[Gerardjg]

Here are the bushings 2 installed , I have not decided which inserts to get yet. Based on J30_Kidd's measurements the small ones in the bearing will need the ID opened from 12mm to 14mm. The larger one in the nut should work fine .

[J30_Kidd]

Here are the bushings 2 installed , I have not decided which inserts to get yet. Based on J30_Kidd's measurements the small ones in the bearing will need the ID opened from 12mm to 14mm. The larger one in the nut should work fine .

Ohhh I see what ya did thar! I thought you were getting a bushing to fit around the whole strut but hmm nice nice i like those bushings. Well was lazy today but tomorrow in the after noon i'm gonna swap those suckers out and bring the newer pics lol. Sorry my backs been hurting and i feel crappy the past few days. I really hate this nighttime at 6pm b/s lol. I want my darn summer hours back lol

[J30_Kidd]

Ok well got the replacements in yesterday and it went much faster this time lol. I also got a washer/ball bearing type deal on my strut compressor now to which made compressing those springs like spreading butter.

Anyways, I got the monroe bumper/bellow kit but i had to chop and sand a portion off the top of each one so the top hat and mount would go down enough to fit the nut on. The pics show the amount i took off but i also sanded it down a lil more to smooth it out. On the washer and cover type deal that came with the new struts this time i ended up only using the cover. with the washer and cover in place i couldn't screw the nut down in the enclosure. I had to use a slimmer piece of pvc tube so i could accommodate the top cover thing.

Sorry i forgot to get a pic of the setup before i put it in but you get point what i did lol.

This is the Amount i took off


After math of taking it off plus where the rotozip sander got my finger a lil lol.


The following two pics were before i chopped sum off the top




This is that cover deal, sadly wasn't thick enough to use in place of the PVC but it helped aide as a spacer so the nut wasn't pushing down on the strut itself.


here's the cover thing up top and the washer on the bottom of both these following pics. I would of like to use the washer to, just more coverage area for the Nut but was to thick, oh well the cover deal at least helped it.




Oh and i hope this makes Yoda a Happy Jedi lol

[yodawill2000]

Well done !!!
Now the most important thing...

How's the ride ???

[J30_Kidd]

Today at work, seemed better, i'm gonna give it a week and see if the struts stiffen up like Jdurrty said his did. Over certain speed bumps at snail like speeds once the tire went over the bump i felt some dip in the front end but seems to be recovering a lil better. I guy at orielly's auto parts also said maybe my springs are worn out, and i'm sure these struts were the originals and being at 200+K miles the springs may be shot now ekk. I think those bumpers helped it more, it doesn't have that play in it and i don't hear that noise now i did before.

Come to think of it, those springs seemed kinda loose after i uncompressed them, i was able to pry the spring up some very easy to remove my tool. IDK were i can get coil springs though lol.

Maybe i'll get a video to post up here, my friends apt has some big speed bumps and he needs help with his motocycle in the coming days. Well see

[Gerardjg]

Any updates on the ride

[J30tChumpCar]

It aint the springs, all they do is hold the weight of the car @ a certain height.

Wait for the new shocks valving to brake in or let someone else drive your car that has no idea of the project then ask their opinion.

[J30_Kidd]

Seem to be getting better, It feels awesome on every aspect but when i take a big speed bump slowly i get the dive down when i go over it. Haven't been over those big speed bumps lately, i'll have to go try again lol. But none the less bigger improvement over the old ones.

[xxcrashxx]

great find.... much appreciated. the back of my car is bouncer than a bounce house, and im not gonna spend $150 on one strut... lol

[DougQ45]

You guys are the best...I followed the instructions as described, and wound up doing my entire car for $145! The ride is so much better. Thanks.

[Gerardjg]

Doug which cartridges did you use?

[jdurrty]

man its been a while since ive been on this site!!!!

i dont know the inserts he bought, but these are the exact same ones i bought from the same seller

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Sachs- ... _500wt_956

good luck!

[J30_Kidd]

Same here durrty, it's been awhile.

It stills seems bouncy to me, I've heard two things regarding the springs themselves in regards to my bounce, J30tChumpCar says they just hold the height, but some local techs have told me thats my problem. As J30t said, they are meant to hold the car at a certain height, which kinda is my problem, over big a** speed bumps my car bottoms out and it usually hits the speed bump it self scratching up my exhaust pipes. which means it failed to hold the car up, the strut just limits the movement. All i know is i haven't a clue where to find new springs for it and to top it off, i didn't replace the strut mounts on top and now my strut tower is rubbing the fender wheel up top when i turn to the right... I've so far only found that part for like 80$ a piece. If anyone has done a swap of strutmounts with a different type or etc lemme know! With the other problems of this car i'm battling with still over 2 years i'm debating on putting the for sale sign up.

[jdurrty]

Well technically the spring is supposed to be bouncy, i think that is the definition of a spring lol. after putting in the new inserts, assuming the inserts are good, the only thing i can guess is that the spring are bad. All springs eventually lose their spring constant and their ability to hold the weight diminishes. even before i installed my new inserts i had no trouble with speed bumps or bottoming out, and that was with blown shocks. I have a set of springs and top hats i pulled out of a J with 130,000 miles about two years ago and havent touched since. if you're willing to pay whatever the shipping costs from Arizona will be i will be more than happy to sell them to you cheap. dont give up on your j30!!!

[J30_Kidd]

Hmm i'll keep that in mind jdurrty, I'm still seeing where i can get those strut mounts from for the least amount and not to mention i'm still tackling the power issues with the engine. Thats what always make me think twice about dropping more money into her, it's been a year and i still can't figure it out. Makes no sense.

[King-Junker]

You dudes rock you 2 king yoda just want to be clear the maxima no go but the 280z kk as for the back now the up front id a dif story I am off to see the peppy boys on this coolness now

[King-Junker]

JDURTY JDURTY my brother my friend please help me out with this cars rear end

all three wheels are good except the drivers side rear switched out the struts no good besides the struts and springs what else holds up the car ??

[King-Junker]

need help replaced struts but got 1 side dropping could it be a bent sway bar or frame ???

[Wishkah]

You guys are saving me a TON of money so I wanted to share this with you for the rears: http://www.race-mart.com/Monroe_Shocks-MON-71209.html
Bellows, rubbers and err'thing...

[swimshark]

dont let riding over speed bumps be your test for how the springs are. i come to a stop before speed bumps and crawl over them. mainly cause i scrape over speed bumps and also cause i have stiff springs. pot holes and hitting speed bumps wide open will blow shocks quicker. not knocking on my dad but he tends to hit all the potholes on the road and blew the shocks on his 2005 altima after 70k. i replaced them for him with new ones and it was a much better ride and told him to avoid bumps in the road and take speed bumps slower. lol

glad you guys found a cheaper alternative than my setup. my suspension isnt for a the general daily driver. i got my lowering springs for sale from the 300zx z31. 2.5"-3" drop up front.