front suspension rebuild

[BOMBAYBOB]

Hey Guys, After a couple years i have finally gotten my 78 280z frame and body complete and am ready for reassembly. I needed to have both frame rails replaced and during the process the 2 mounts or should i say bushing holes in the front of the rails were destroyed.

(Sorry, not great description) Anyway I noticed before the media blasting which removed the rusted part that the were spot welded. How do I replace these rings

[BOMBAYBOB]

WOW. I was hoping someone knew what i was talking about. They looked like washers and i think they reduced the size of the hole. Three tack welds held them on. they were 1/16" max

Hope that helps.

[240260280z]

I would suggest finding an alternative or getting a metal shop to fabricate then weld on. Maybe an exhaust tube and sheet metal disc will do the trick for materials.

Here is a photo of what you need:

[BOMBAYBOB]

YEP THATS IT. THANKS VERY MUCH. Is it there to size the hole? If so, what size should it be?

[Zed Head]

The tension/compression rod goes through that hole along with with a metal bushing. The metal bushing has to fit through the hole and have a certain range of movement allowed so that the rod can move around as the suspension moves. If you have the bushing you'll have a good idea of how big the hole needs to be. Or you could go to a wrecking yard and take some measurements.

Look in the FSM to see how the parts fit together.

[240260280z]

Look at the parts and pictures here to get idea of dimensions relative to the bushings and washers. http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/suspension/comprod/ball&socket/index.htm

I'll be back at my '71 resto on Saturday and can measure detailed dimension and post to this thread then.

btw you may be able to just use a non-stock compression-tension rod like this and not have to worry about it. This solution may be less costly than the fabrication and welding of new bushing seats.

http://www.zccjdm.com/catalog.php/azcarbum/dt93255/pd1987788/ADJ._TENSION_CONTROL_RODS__ZCAR__510__#IMAGES

Edited August 18, 2011 by Blue

[BOMBAYBOB]

would the non-stock eliminate the problem with the size difference in the bushing seat? I guess what im asking is if the non stock compression-tention rod assembly would be compatible to the hole size as it is now.

[BOMBAYBOB]

how about the sleeves in the front control arms. do they get cut out to fit the poly bush?