Man what a bummer of a weekend :(

[DatsunZsRule]

This weekend has been the nicest one out of the whole summer so for in MN. Perfet sunny, clear sky, temp in the mid 70's both Sat. and today and I can't take my baby out cruising because I have to do front end work to it. She needs both ball joints, both tie rod ends, front brake pads and while I got her apart in front, I'm going to go ahead and clean/repack the wheel bearings ect. I got a price quote from Courtesy Nissan so now what I need to do is bite the bullet and order up everything and go at it.

I've been dreading the Tie Rod/Ball Joint job because I knew that they were getting worn as they are the orig. ones but it's got to be done. Hopefully mine won't be as much of a pain as some others that I've read about on here :surprised:

Sorry, just had to vent

[sblake01]

Well, I can relate to what you're feeling. When I first bought mine it needed everthing you mention but I went out and drove it anyway once I got the engine running. The front end was so loose that I nearly lost it before I had a chance to start getting it to where it is today. Believe me, it's worth the wait! Once I finished the front end, as well as rear brakes and tires, it handled like a new car.

[DatsunZsRule]

Well I did sneak it out last weekend. I went over a rougher section of a country road and I was just cringing at the sound in the front. Can't put it off any longer

About how long did it take you to complete yours? Did everything come apart nice for you?

[sblake01]

It all came apart and went back together fairly easily but I really took my time. I only worked on it off and on since I was working a real job then and I had another car. I bought it in June 1997 and it was roadworthy by October. But like I said, I took my time and did a few other things besides the suspension and steering.

[DatsunZsRule]

I hear ya. I have the same problem. I work everyday for a living plus I have my daily driver as well to take care of. Always too much to do and very little time to get everything done :laugh: What I'm planning on doing is once all my new parts arrive and I got everything I need in front of me and I know that they are all the correct parts, I'm going to use some of my vacation time where I work which will help greatly.

Just wish I had the proper equipment to align it myself instead of having to take it in for the alignment after I finish. I'll be watching those guys at the alignment shop closely :devious:

[Fun_in_my_z]

When i changed mine the end of the tie rod broke and stayed in the spindle.

Damn im lucky i changed em!

[sblake01]

........Just wish I had the proper equipment to align it myself instead of having to take it in for the alignment after I finish. I'll be watching those guys at the alignment shop closely :devious:

I have a place I go to for alignments. I trust them and they know these cars. I've been going to them for years. When I first went there in 1992, they were only 5 minutes away from my home in La Verne, Ca. I have since moved to Upland, Fontana, and now San Bernardino. I still go there for alignments even though I'm now about 35 miles away.

[TomoHawk]

When I got my 280Z, the steering rack bushings were dried out & loose, so the wheels shimmied some while driving. Dad (THE EXPERT) kicks the side of the front wheel, and when it moved, he immediately says "wheel bearings are shot." Totally wrong. New rack bushings fixed the shimmy. I did have the bearings replaced when I did the shocks tho.

[DatsunZsRule]

Yeah, I know of a place near me that does alignments thats about 5 miles away also. I've personally have never been there as I do all my own work but I know people that have gone to them and they have said they were good so who knows??? I don't care if they are the best, I'm still going to watch them like a hawk :paranoid:

[DatsunZsRule]

Just got done E-mailing courtesy Nissan and ordered up all my stuff that I'll need. Definitely not cheap but well worth it. Nothing but genuine Nissan parts for my baby :laugh: