Very helpful video. Most of the how to's online leave out certain steps that made me wonder exactly what to do. Your procedure was thorough and now I know exactly what to do on my 240Z.
Thank you so much for this video!!! I have an 85 300zx (always wanted one). The struts are shot and i feel like i am on a trampoline when i drive. I have looked at so many areas on the web and you tube and i finally found your site. NOW i see how to do it THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Dean Cumbo Yes, the Z31 cars are a lot of fun and will ride outstanding with the right suspension. Many upgrades to make these cars compete todays fast cars.
@@budgetboosting well its still helping people especially me my car sat 8yrs so struts and brakes needed love and a tps and I should be able to leave the state
Great video's! Very informative. I just replaced my rear 86 NA shocks and springs with adjustable Koni yellows and have the front adjustable Koni's ready to install in the next day or so. Your videos are helping me get ready to do the work. Thanks a bunch!
Thanks your video was priceless. My only suggestion would be, leave the springs compressed while reinserting the strut assembly back into the car. Much easier to get the clearance you need to push it back under the fender.
I just got through replacing the rear brake discs and pads. Z car stops better and is much quieter. I replaced the front discs and pads this past summer. Now I have Drilled and Slotted discs on all 4 wheels.
Budget Boosting They are monsters for sure! Maybe some day Ill get one some can be had for as low as 3k I prefer the turbo model but its harder to find one at a decent price for one well maintained. I like both Muscle and import my current car is a retired police cruiser its not fast off the line but can haul ass once after it hits 60 and is cheap as hell it only costed me one grand its a fun car indeed but I still marvel at the faster cars like the z and the vette and such my car is just a boat sleeper lol!
Yes the price on them is very reasonable. Starting with one that is already a turbo is a great advantage. Then you just install larger turbo, intercooler, boost controller, get an adjustable relief valve or weld it shut so you can boost over 5 lbs of boost. Intake, exhaust and a CPU upgrade from JWT and you are there.
Aspie Otaku so many great sleepers out there..... Infinity is getting ready to make a new one with the GT-R engine and their all wheel drive system. Talk about a 4 door whippin some Viper butt.
Appreciate all your guys' videos. I have an old '76 280Z but the suspension setup is pretty much the same like you said so this helps a lot. Any chance you'd do a video on changing a rear wheel bearing for an old S30 Z car?
HighPotency The rear bearing for the S30 is a tricky one compared to the 300zx z31. Once the wheel, drum brake cover is removed, remove the half drive shaft and take off the large nut and washer under it. Then attach a big slide hammer to the lugs using lug nut adapter and the lug nuts. Slide that hammer fairly hard until the stub axle comes out, most of the time bearings and spacer will come off with it, if not drift them out carefully with a hammer or puller to remove old bearings. When I have one come up, I will make a video. The stub axle is in there real good compared to other z cars.
Thanks Budget Boosting , I know it's tricky. I ended up buying a whole other suspension assembly so I could pull the old one and still drive my car. That will allow me to pull apart the one that needs replacement off the car.
So how did the Gabriels compare to the Bilsteins , I have a non turbo and dont know what to get to go with my Eibach springs was thinking Tokico Blues or Gabriel . What do you think is better ?
Did you do anything to fit your strut assembly from the Gabriel ultra because when I put mine the factory and the one that came with the Gabriel ultra didn't fit
I had already checked & fixed some issues you mentioned. sooo, this morning b4 work, i changed the whole distributor. i had 1 from previous Z. Hit the key fired rt up. i let it run for 5 mins. i'm thinking it maybe CAS?? Any how, when i get off work, goin start it & let it run for a hr or sooo.. I appreciate your time & help.
+Billy strunk The 1 inch wheel spacers with built in studs I purchased on ebay to help me bring the aftermarket mustang wheels out to clear the brake calipers. It also gives a wider stance for improved handling.
I also have an 84 zx turbo, but I am having a hard time going from electrical shocks to standards shocks. I purchased KYB and they told me that it would be fine to use them but they don't come with the kit from electrical to standard shocks. Now I am stuck don't know what to do??
@@josegaldamez5013 the electronic part will no longer be able to function. Get the KYB adaptor kit and install standard struts. Or swap to NA strut assembly. Then it is just a drop in.
I am purchasing the needed parts for this job and one site I am checking mentions some sort of turbo adapter kit needed. I have an 86 turbo with factory stock electronic adjustable suspension. Do I need some sort of conversion/adapter kit to install KYB shocks in the front. The shop gave me the recommendations on what to replace, also mentioned bump stops. I have watched both your front a rear videos and didn't see any mention of replacing those. Can you point me in the right direction, are the bump stops normally sold with strut bellows, and if I was installing them would they be front or rear or both. Thanks again for the GREAT VIDEOS!!
The strut cartridge retainer as well as bump stops are usually sold separately for some reason. It is hard to find kits that come with all new everything. In the video, I just replaced the strut cartridges and shocks in rear. KYB or Tokiko have much better strut cartridges for these cars.
Mr. Daniel Richardson, I am having the same question for my 84 Nissan zx about needing an adapter kit to install KYB shocks. Going from Electric shocks to Standard Shocks. Let me know how you did it because I am going thru the same headache. Thank you.
K appreciate the reply. i'm workin on a 87 300zx no-turbo. started out driving everyday parked for appr 2 weeks in garage. went drove it 20 miles, went to leave wouldnt start. got it home changed distributor cap & button. still nothing. Now it will start once in awhile runs perfect, THEN dies as if shut key off. alot times unhook neg cable for 20 mins then try & will start sometimes... any advice b4 i set FIRE to it??
+Billy strunk check positive and negative connections from battery to starter and negative to the ground and make sure the connectors are not rusted out. Sometimes they rust so bad that eventually they will rust to the point of poor connection and the eye of the connection breaks off. Also check the ignition coil too. The PCM or engine computer would be another area to check since it happens inconsistently.
I have some Stance coil over assemblies, the front needs some mods on the strut assembly housing to install them as well as cutting and welding. The rears are bolt on. Eventually I will motivate myself to get going to install them.
Great video and thanks for making it! I cant get my strut assembly to drop down enough out of the shock tower. Did you also disconnect the tie rod end from the spindle? Also a 86 zx1
I believe I removed the sway bar enough to just drop it out the wheel well. If you decide to move the tie rod end, make a mark on the threads to you can get by without an entire front end alignment unless it pulls to one side afterwards.
Budget Boosting thanks for the reply! I pulled the sway bar and support bar off and really fought with that strut assembly but it wont drop down enough for the bolts to clear the inner fender up there. Ill hammer out that tie rod end and mark it before. Thanks for the tip!
Wheel bearings are similar to many cars. The hard part is separating the bearing races from the inside of the brake rotor and then pressing in new ones. With a press it is not too bad, just have to be exact for bearings and races or vibrations and bearing damage can occur. Basically no room for error on the bearing races.
I would say labor is overpriced for the job. Most shops charge labor for the hour to the tune of 75-150 dollars per hour. I guess they are stating it will take them 5 to 7 hours for the job. The rears are a quick job, the front are the most time consuming since you have to drop the strut assembly to remove the cartridge then reverse the process. Every shop is different, get several quotes and have them compete with each other for your business.
If you do, I hope you make a video, the 280z series has been very helpful, thanks for taking the time to make them, I used the brakes and valves ones and will be doing the rear main so that one will come in handy too.
Have a friend support the weight of the hood. Take a small flathead screwdriver and move the tab holding the ball and it releases hood strut. if in doubt how, remove all the bolts from it so you can take it all to a work bench and have room to look and locate the ball release tabs.
This is my car. Need to remove the goo on the inside of the side windows. Big problem with the older Z's. Auto glass place says they probably will crack if they try to remove it since it's old. Then I'd have to find replacements. What a headache
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.15 (1/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TLBjiHvkKtE/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you very much for the time it took to make this video on the Z31 community.
Very helpful video. Most of the how to's online leave out certain steps that made me wonder exactly what to do. Your procedure was thorough and now I know exactly what to do on my 240Z.
Great video, have to replace struts on my 88 z31. These videos are priceless so thanks for being so thorough.
Thank you so much for this video!!! I have an 85 300zx (always wanted one). The struts are shot and i feel like i am on a trampoline when i drive. I have looked at so many areas on the web and you tube and i finally found your site. NOW i see how to do it THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Dean Cumbo Yes, the Z31 cars are a lot of fun and will ride outstanding with the right suspension. Many upgrades to make these cars compete todays fast cars.
Video was greatly appreciated quote was $600. Only cost me $32 for the spring compressor. Thanks!
Not many of these Z car videos out there. Thanks man!
Thank you so much for your dedication to the Z31's..!
Thank you very much. Great video. My 1987 300ZX is way overdue for front strut replacement. I now know I can do it. Thank you.
Thanks for all the Z31 content! I'll be doing some work on my front springs this coming week so this helps quite a bit!
Ian Couch That's great, glad to see the videos helping, thank you for watching.
@@budgetboosting well its still helping people especially me my car sat 8yrs so struts and brakes needed love and a tps and I should be able to leave the state
Great video's! Very informative. I just replaced my rear 86 NA shocks and springs with adjustable Koni yellows and have the front adjustable Koni's ready to install in the next day or so. Your videos are helping me get ready to do the work.
Thanks a bunch!
Thanks your video was priceless. My only suggestion would be, leave the springs compressed while reinserting the strut assembly back into the car. Much easier to get the clearance you need to push it back under the fender.
Great video I have a 1978 toyota corolla that needs this done and your video was the only one helpful thanks
ty for this video, i have the exact same car, my struts have been holding up for 30 years, need to change em
I like the head lights. I don't like other ones they're too tall. These are just right.
I just got through replacing the rear brake discs and pads. Z car stops better and is much quieter. I replaced the front discs and pads this past summer. Now I have Drilled and Slotted discs on all 4 wheels.
The 300zxs were awesome and sent corvettes and BMW M3s a run for the money for less! They were and still are wicked fast!
Aspie Otaku So much potential hidden in the Z cars, very few know this and those that do, surprise unexpected ones at the lights....
Budget Boosting They are monsters for sure! Maybe some day Ill get one some can be had for as low as 3k I prefer the turbo model but its harder to find one at a decent price for one well maintained. I like both Muscle and import my current car is a retired police cruiser its not fast off the line but can haul ass once after it hits 60 and is cheap as hell it only costed me one grand its a fun car indeed but I still marvel at the faster cars like the z and the vette and such my car is just a boat sleeper lol!
Yes the price on them is very reasonable. Starting with one that is already a turbo is a great advantage. Then you just install larger turbo, intercooler, boost controller, get an adjustable relief valve or weld it shut so you can boost over 5 lbs of boost. Intake, exhaust and a CPU upgrade from JWT and you are there.
Budget Boosting Closest thing to a 300z I had was a 91 infinity m30!
Aspie Otaku so many great sleepers out there..... Infinity is getting ready to make a new one with the GT-R engine and their all wheel drive system. Talk about a 4 door whippin some Viper butt.
Thanks! That was very helpful.
im getting my 2 rear shocks, & 2 front struts replaced, appointment is in 3 days...cant wait
Appreciate all your guys' videos. I have an old '76 280Z but the suspension setup is pretty much the same like you said so this helps a lot. Any chance you'd do a video on changing a rear wheel bearing for an old S30 Z car?
HighPotency Great idea, that can be a subject of some of our next videos.
HighPotency The rear bearing for the S30 is a tricky one compared to the 300zx z31. Once the wheel, drum brake cover is removed, remove the half drive shaft and take off the large nut and washer under it. Then attach a big slide hammer to the lugs using lug nut adapter and the lug nuts. Slide that hammer fairly hard until the stub axle comes out, most of the time bearings and spacer will come off with it, if not drift them out carefully with a hammer or puller to remove old bearings. When I have one come up, I will make a video. The stub axle is in there real good compared to other z cars.
Thanks Budget Boosting , I know it's tricky. I ended up buying a whole other suspension assembly so I could pull the old one and still drive my car. That will allow me to pull apart the one that needs replacement off the car.
I have a 87 300zx no turbo. I watch your videos & they have helped me alot. The "Heater Control Valve" can i by-pass it?
you can but will not have control of coolant to and from heater core.
Awesome video man keep them coming
***** Thank you for watching and commenting. Will keep them rolling.
Nice tutorial and the window sticker looks mean :)
Excellent video. Could you please give us the reference of the new shock absorber and where have you purchase?
Thank you for the video. I just brought me z31
So how did the Gabriels compare to the Bilsteins , I have a non turbo and dont know what to get to go with my Eibach springs was thinking Tokico Blues or Gabriel . What do you think is better ?
I'm really only familiar with strut assemblies. Wouldn't you need to replace the spring along with the shock absorber?
cool boss I have a datsun 210 thanks for making it more issy
I hope that is similar to my 82 !! I can't seem to find video on mine 82 2+2 turbo thanks the back was easy 15 minutes each side
Did you do anything to fit your strut assembly from the Gabriel ultra because when I put mine the factory and the one that came with the Gabriel ultra didn't fit
I had already checked & fixed some issues you mentioned. sooo, this morning b4 work, i changed the whole distributor. i had 1 from previous Z. Hit the key fired rt up. i let it run for 5 mins. i'm thinking it maybe CAS?? Any how, when i get off work, goin start it & let it run for a hr or sooo.. I appreciate your time & help.
+Billy strunk yes the stock components in the factory distributor only last so long. Its great you had a spare distributor.
it was the CAS. i noticed on the red 300z type of spacer on your wheel. what way do they help? Where do you get them?
+Billy strunk The 1 inch wheel spacers with built in studs I purchased on ebay to help me bring the aftermarket mustang wheels out to clear the brake calipers. It also gives a wider stance for improved handling.
Just so you know the painted dots on the spring are not alignment related at all. They are for spring identification.
I also have an 84 zx turbo, but I am having a hard time going from electrical shocks to standards shocks. I purchased KYB and they told me that it would be fine to use them but they don't come with the kit from electrical to standard shocks. Now I am stuck don't know what to do??
@@josegaldamez5013 the electronic part will no longer be able to function. Get the KYB adaptor kit and install standard struts. Or swap to NA strut assembly. Then it is just a drop in.
I am purchasing the needed parts for this job and one site I am checking mentions some sort of turbo adapter kit needed. I have an 86 turbo with factory stock electronic adjustable suspension. Do I need some sort of conversion/adapter kit to install KYB shocks in the front. The shop gave me the recommendations on what to replace, also mentioned bump stops. I have watched both your front a rear videos and didn't see any mention of replacing those. Can you point me in the right direction, are the bump stops normally sold with strut bellows, and if I was installing them would they be front or rear or both.
Thanks again for the GREAT VIDEOS!!
The strut cartridge retainer as well as bump stops are usually sold separately for some reason. It is hard to find kits that come with all new everything. In the video, I just replaced the strut cartridges and shocks in rear. KYB or Tokiko have much better strut cartridges for these cars.
Mr. Daniel Richardson, I am having the same question for my 84 Nissan zx about needing an adapter kit to install KYB shocks. Going from Electric shocks to Standard Shocks. Let me know how you did it because I am going thru the same headache. Thank you.
K appreciate the reply. i'm workin on a 87 300zx no-turbo. started out driving everyday parked for appr 2 weeks in garage. went drove it 20 miles, went to leave wouldnt start. got it home changed distributor cap & button. still nothing. Now it will start once in awhile runs perfect, THEN dies as if shut key off. alot times unhook neg cable for 20 mins then try & will start sometimes... any advice b4 i set FIRE to it??
+Billy strunk check positive and negative connections from battery to starter and negative to the ground and make sure the connectors are not rusted out. Sometimes they rust so bad that eventually they will rust to the point of poor connection and the eye of the connection breaks off. Also check the ignition coil too. The PCM or engine computer would be another area to check since it happens inconsistently.
hi .. search the web and it says that you have to use non turbo tube if you trying to fit it in turbo ... I jave 87 turbo. ..
Hello having problem finding front struts I bought them from autzone and mechanic tells me they don’t fit we’re can I buy them
Is it possible to put on smaller springs in the front?
I have some Stance coil over assemblies, the front needs some mods on the strut assembly housing to install them as well as cutting and welding. The rears are bolt on. Eventually I will motivate myself to get going to install them.
is that true ?.. want to make sure before I go get them ..they say the non turbo too high ?...
I have a 87 needs the same thing. After seeing this video, i think i can handle it, thnx... wouldnt 1989 300zx b the same?
+Billy strunk yes should be the same as long as it is still a Z31 since Z32 also arrived in 1989.
Great video and thanks for making it! I cant get my strut assembly to drop down enough out of the shock tower. Did you also disconnect the tie rod end from the spindle? Also a 86 zx1
I believe I removed the sway bar enough to just drop it out the wheel well. If you decide to move the tie rod end, make a mark on the threads to you can get by without an entire front end alignment unless it pulls to one side afterwards.
Budget Boosting thanks for the reply! I pulled the sway bar and support bar off and really fought with that strut assembly but it wont drop down enough for the bolts to clear the inner fender up there. Ill hammer out that tie rod end and mark it before. Thanks for the tip!
are the wheel bearings easy to replace? I have an 87 Z31 non turbo
Wheel bearings are similar to many cars. The hard part is separating the bearing races from the inside of the brake rotor and then pressing in new ones. With a press it is not too bad, just have to be exact for bearings and races or vibrations and bearing damage can occur. Basically no room for error on the bearing races.
Was quoted 500 in labor to change struts. Is this reasonable? Are these really so different than other strut installs
I would say labor is overpriced for the job. Most shops charge labor for the hour to the tune of 75-150 dollars per hour. I guess they are stating it will take them 5 to 7 hours for the job. The rears are a quick job, the front are the most time consuming since you have to drop the strut assembly to remove the cartridge then reverse the process. Every shop is different, get several quotes and have them compete with each other for your business.
take some paint or white out and make a line going down the toplate to base of the spring to know how it goes back together
MrSpartan117fan yes that is a great idea. I still had some paint on my springs so I was fortunate during that swap.
Did you ever do a front strut video like this for the S30?
no have not yet.
If you do, I hope you make a video, the 280z series has been very helpful, thanks for taking the time to make them, I used the brakes and valves ones and will be doing the rear main so that one will come in handy too.
Anyone know how to remove the hatch strut supports? I already brought the ball up on the other side and I don't want to do that to the opposite side
Have a friend support the weight of the hood. Take a small flathead screwdriver and move the tab holding the ball and it releases hood strut. if in doubt how, remove all the bolts from it so you can take it all to a work bench and have room to look and locate the ball release tabs.
a guy with the channel carphonix is looking for a 84-88 300 zx turbo 5 speed for his automatic to do a conversion
I'm having trouble finding springs man I got moog in the rear tho
This is my car. Need to remove the goo on the inside of the side windows. Big problem with the older Z's. Auto glass place says they probably will crack if they try to remove it since it's old. Then I'd have to find replacements. What a headache