Suspension noise

[Glenn H]

I just purchased from a friend a 1971 240Z. It has not been driven much for many years... there are only 31,000 miles on the car. As I drove it today, there is much noise in the suspension. It seems there might be worn out rubber gromets and mounts? I am wondering if anyone else has had such problems?

Also, I had one of these cars when I was much younger and I remember being told to be careful with the size of tire on the car.... I just had some 185's put on and they rub on the fenderwell.... back to 175's I guess...

Lastly, I am seeing some trouble with the paint which I am told is a laquer. Checking and small bubbling in certain areas. My body shop man tells me you cannot get the paint anymore? I have the orange color? Any Ideas???

[zguitar71]

What type of noise? The wheel offset must be very negative to get rubbing with 185's. You should be able to run 225's on 0 offset wheels (15") with out rubbing. I have 205/60/14 with a -12 offset and they do not rub. Is it the same color as the picture of my car in my avitar? If so I hope your body guy is wrong 'cause I was hoping to paint mine one day.

[boyblunda]

Glenn

Lucky lad to get hold of a Z with only 31000 miles on the car. If these are genuine miles, and it seems that you have the history of the car available to you, then you have a vehicle that is well worth the investment of further expenditure on areas that require attention.

With regard to the suspension noises, I could not diagnose the problem from your description but would be tempted to look at installing all new bushes available in the kit from Victoria British or similar. If the suspension rubbers are original, the expense is relatively small and should result in an obvious improvement.

There is a lot of valuable comment on this site with regard to the queries you have with tyres and paint if you venture into those sections.

Regards

[Glenn H]

The mileage is actual and there is no rust on the car... I am lucky! The noises I am referring to are like clunking noises as if the car were bottoming out on the suspension. There is also a noise like a scraping.... may be like a rear brake shoe hanging up??? I really need to get it up on a hoist to look see what conditon things are in.

As for the negative offset I am not sure I understand. The car has cast wheels, I think aluminum, which were no doubt aftermarket replacements which I think widens the stance of the car. Rubbing occurs in the front right wheel when backing up with wheels turned to the left. Car has not been aligned yet. perhaps when that is done, it might take care of the problem??

[Bambikiller240]

If the car has original OEM Factory paint, it is NOT lacquer. According to the OEM Paint Code sticker on my car, it was an Acryl Enamel type of paint that I believe is no longer used. The color (whatever color car you have) can be had using most any currently availabe paint system in the USA. Quality paint shops can mix the appropriate color and can computer match almost anything out there.

I agree with zguitar71, the offset of your wheels must be quite negitive if 185/whatever X 14's rub. I've run 195/70 X14's, and 205/60 X 14's on dealer added aluminum wheels without problem. I currently have 205/70 x 14's and they rub only slightly at full compression and only do that at the rear.

As for suspension noises, there are many possible causes, first thing is to narrow down the location the noises are coming from, and the circumstances when the noises occur. A clunk when shifting/downshifting is often caused by a damaged front differential mount, noises as the suspension struts compress (going over significant bumps) could be bad struts, inner and/or outer control arm bushings to name just two possiblities.

[beandip]

Sounds like you have found a diamond in the rough. If you want street drive ability do not repace the rubber suspention parts with ureathane. Many members use this as a replacement , which is great for raceing and the track. However it transfers road noise to the cabin of the car and for a normal driver can be anoyng. With the age of the car expect to be changing the rubber brake lines at all four wheels . At the vary least change the brake fluid if it is dark. Check all rubber hoses for stiffness and cracks. It would not be a supprise that the struts , shocks , are in need of replacement . This would account for the bottoming out . I am supprised that the tires are rubbing . Describe what the wheels look like . The bubbling of the paint is of concern . It depends on where it is located . Generally it means that moisture is behind the metal and is rusting through form the back . You dident say where the bubbling is , but the two areas of concern are just infornt and to the rear of the doors down low along the bottom of the car. Both are known trouble areas. There and below the battery . One more place is on the sill of the rear hatch. I hope when you lift the carpets the floors are not rusted as well. Glenn , welcome to the club . We are here to help where we can . Gary

[DatsunZsRule]

Yep, like mentioned above, there are numerous front end components that can cause noise when they go bad so it's difficult to give you an answer as to which part is the culprit. Another pointer I can think of is to check your ball joints. Bad ball joints will cause a "Clunk" noise on rougher roads. When your under your Z, inspect the rubber boots and make sure they are in good shape and hold grease. If not, the ball joints will need to be replaced. Mine just started doing the "Clunking" sound just recently the last couple times I had her out so I crawled under my Z to look everything over and sure enough, It's my ball joints causing the problem So I'd look into those as well.

Best of luck and congrats on finding your Z

[Zup]

I have read that the original paint used on 240's was ALKYD ENAMEL-not Acrylic Enamel.

Just pointing it out in case you are going 100% original, which I hope you do for this gem! :classic:

[Bambikiller240]

Where did you read that? The information that I posted came directly from the original, Nissan supplied, OEM Paint Code label on my 1972 240Z (115 Blue Metallic) car. "Acryl Enamel" (exact wording).

[Glenn H]

Thanks all;

The paint bubbling I am referring to is only on the top of the front fenders. It began as what I would call "crazing" and developed from there. The previous owner had no good place to keep the car for the last 4 to 5 years so it was stored outside under a cover which I believe accelerated this problem.

That is good news about the paint because I am told if it were a laquer the car would have to be stripped and completely redone. Big Bucks!

Is is safe to assume that if the car needs new shocks and struts that they are available today??

If I can figure out how, I will post some photos which will help on the paint and wheel issues.

I really appreciate the help from everyone! As I said earlier, I had this exact car 32 years ago and as I did then, think it is a great Car!!!

[Bambikiller240]

If I can figure out how, I will post some photos which will help on the paint and wheel issues.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17426

Post #8 tells how to post to the Photo gallery. Or were you talking about attaching photos to this thread?

[Glenn H]

Either. Which works best? I have attempted to upload but I am told the file is too large. Not sure how to make smaller????