Based on some comments in another thread, I purchased a Tokico suspension kit from shox.com for my 78 280z. My car is currently in the shop getting things installed, but the guys called with a question I cant answer.

It seems that the front Tokico springs are a good 3 - 4 inches shorter than the stocksprings. No compression whatsoever was needed to get the springs back into the strut housing. When put back together, but before lowering the car back on the ground, the spring moves freely up and down by about an inch. Sound right????? Will this slack be taken up when the weight is put back on the strut?

This all seems strange to me, and I'm wondering if the wrong springs were included in the kit.

Thanks in advance.

The springs should be shorter than the stock ones, but 3-4 inches shorter doesn't sound right. The info that I have says that they should lower your car 1" to 2", but will be stiffer by far. Should not need to be 3-4 inches shorter to accomplish this. :surprised

When I put on Suspension Techniques springs on my previous Z, they didn't need to be compressed to re-assemble, but I couldn't move them an inch up & down like you describe. I COULD wiggle them a bit, when assembled, but to be loose by an inch sounds wrong to me.

Caveat, My experience is with a 240Z, but I still think something isn't right with your situation.

Check the P/N on your invoice and contact the supplier you bought from or Tokiko's USA distributor to confirm you got the right kit.

I agree with Carl, before you put it back together be sure to check to see if they gave you the right springs. It almost sounds like they may have given you springs for a 240 which would be shorter than 280 springs to begin with, as the stock springs are shorter on a 240 than a 280.

I have seen some springs that had perhaps an inch of free play when assembled with no load on the spring, any more than that just doesn't sound right.

Don't forget to install new bump stops. That alone will take up 2 inches of travel.

I am installing some 'sport' Suspension Techniques springs on my 71Z and I am running into this same issue, the front springs have about 1 inch of free play when the car is raised and wheels are dangling. Is this right? I am replacing the original racing (stiff as a steel bar) Tokico springs which had a snug fit in the strut. The rear springs are longer and fit snug in the strut. Any thoughts on this?

Jeez guys. Use the search function.

Jeez guys. Use the search function.

I obviously used the search function as a dug up a 2002 thread. Still no response

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34376

Thank you...that is perfect. Will need to improve my search capabilities.

Rich

Got the springs changed out. Removed the Tokico 5020's and replaced with Suspension Tecniques Springs. The front end looks good, but the back end sags. Will have to do something about that. May just look for a set of stock rear springs. For a daily driver, I want something a bit softer. Still have the Illumina adjustable gas shocks and 1 inch sway bars front and rear, so it handles OK.

The front springs were loose when installed (car on jacks) so I added some ty-wraps so they would seat correctly when I lowered the jack. Was able to replace springs front and back without disconnecting the brake lines which was nice. The rears were a bit more snug, but no need for a spring compressor. I figure it takes about 45 minutes per wheel to do the change out.