Looking for ORIGINAL 240Z STRUT SEAL KITS (NUTS)

[AZ-240z]

This is look'n for a needle in the proverbial hay stack but thought I would ask. The shop where I get my car worked on came across a set of 4 used original 240Z stock shock inserts. They look to be in very good condition for rebuilding, but, when they were removed, the strut seal kits (nuts with integral rubber seals) were thrown out.

If I could find those 4 strut seal nuts, my mechanic said he can find some integral rubber seals that would work with these nuts.

The set of Mulholland hydraulic shocks currently on my car, although NOS, are binding so no longer usable. My choices, and we have talked about this in earlier threads, are either to find original hydraulic shocks, or use KYB-GR2 low pressure gas charged hydraulic inserts.

My hope is that someone who removed and replaced their original stock inserts my have kept there original strut seal kit nuts.

Thanks.

Dan

Original Owner 1/71 240Z

hls30-20419

Edited October 6, 2011 by AZ-240z

[Arne]

Dan, have you checked with Nissan? Part number 54308-E4125, same number fits both front and rear.

[JLPurcell]

Dan,

Look up thread "240Z Factory Cartridge-Type Shock Absorber".

I have a NOS set of factory strut inserts. There are photos included in the thread. Let me know if you are interested in the inserts. I believe Les used KYB? inserts in my project.

JLP

[Arne]

I've got KYB in my car. They are fine as long as you can either live with increased ride height over stock, or don't mind cutting down a set of springs. I spared my original springs, but cut down the Courtesy repro set.

[AZ-240z]

I've got KYB in my car. They are fine as long as you can either live with increased ride height over stock, or don't mind cutting down a set of springs. I spared my original springs, but cut down the Courtesy repro set.

Thanks Arne,

No, I haven't checked with Nissan. Just assumed they would be NLA, but I will check. My mechanic has used KYBs on other cars and said he didn't notice any height issues, but, as you said, the consensus here is an increase in ride height above stock, and I don't want to cut my repro springs down. Ride height with the Mulhollands is at, or a little above, stock on my car now. I think that the repro springs are a little stiffer than stock and may be responsible for a little height above stock.

Dan

[AZ-240z]

Dan,

Look up thread "240Z Factory Cartridge-Type Shock Absorber".

I have a NOS set of factory strut inserts. There are photos included in the thread. Let me know if you are interested in the inserts. I believe Les used KYB? inserts in my project.

JLP

Hi Jerry,

I was just in San Diego a couple of weeks ago and wanted to go visit with Les but it didn't work out. I would be interested in your inserts and checked out the part numbers in the thread you mentioned. From what my parts CD says, the 56205-E4125 inserts are for the rear (soft ride) for 11/69 to 10/74 cars which would work for my 01/71 car. But, the 56105-N3785 are described as the front (firm ride) from 11/74 which doesn't match up with my 01/71 car. Is my thinking correct, Jerry? Did Les use KYBs with stock springs on your car, or did he cut the springs down?

Thanks for your help Jerry look forward to your response.

Dan

[Arne]

Thanks Arne,

No, I haven't checked with Nissan. Just assumed they would be NLA, but I will check. My mechanic has used KYBs on other cars and said he didn't notice any height issues, but, as you said, the consensus here is an increase in ride height above stock, and I don't want to cut my repro springs down. Ride height with the Mulhollands is at, or a little above, stock on my car now. I think that the repro springs are a little stiffer than stock and may be responsible for a little height above stock.

Dan

I totally understand where you are coming from, Dan. I would only cut down a set of springs if I had a set of stock, un-cut to hold in reserve. Which I did, so I did. Still have the original, un-cut and un-sagged springs in a box.

Your mechanic is either wrong, or never paid close enough attention. Or perhaps he's never put KYBs in a car that didn't already have gas-charged inserts in it. In any case, when I replaced my own Mulhollands (RF binding) using the same set of original (not repro) springs, the ride height went up 5/8" (15mm) immediately, and continued to increase over the next 1500 miles to end up at +3/4" (20mm). Not theory, my own before and after measurements. So your concern is valid.

But I know you've been on the hunt for suitable non-gas inserts for some time now. With no real success. Maybe it's time to approach this from a different direction. Maybe it'd be easier to find another set of repro springs - either the US stock like you already have, or a set of the Euro like mine. Then you could stash one set, and be free to cut down the other set to use with KYBs. Just a thought....

[AZ-240z]

You probably have the most realistic solution, Arne, and have considered this option. I could just use the KYBs and take a little off of my repros. It would virtually be impossible to know that the springs were modified and, sometimes, accomodation is the only reasonable solution. Probably wouldn't be too difficult to find a set of repros, as you say,

Again, you have mentioned this in previous threads, but how much spring did you remove using KYBs to adjust for 3/4 " increase above stock height?

Dan

[JLPurcell]

Dan,

I believe that Les used KYB's and my stock springs. After reading this thread I plan to call Les tomorrow and see what his thoughts are on this. I was thinking that I might suggest that we use the set of Original Datsun Comp. Springs which I have but that might cause some geometry issues. As for the strut inserts which I have they were laying in the rear hatch area along with some other NOS parts of a wrecked 70 Z which I purchased and parted out. The car was relative low mileage when wrecked and stored inside for many years. I would guess that they were to be installed on the 70 but you would have to check into the correct numbers. If you can use them let me know.

Jerry

[Arne]

Since mine are the repro Euro Stage 1 springs, my answer would not be suitable for your US spec springs. The Euro springs need to be cut when used on US-spec strut housings, regardless of strut insert selection. So I had to cut quite a bit more than you would. As a guess, I'd probably cut one full coil (the flattened end coil) from the top of each spring. That should drop you 1/2" or so.

[AZ-240z]

Dan, have you checked with Nissan? Part number 54308-E4125, same number fits both front and rear.

Arne, thanks to information provided by you and Jerry, just the kick in the #ss I needed, I did find a set of 4 plus a spare of the strut seal kits, part #54308-E4125 at an east coast dealership. Just to update this thread, the shop that has done work on my car and had the stock original shocks in good to excellent condition, just finished rebuilding those stock shocks, put the correct amount of shock oil in the struts, along with the other

magic outlined in the FSM, and sealed it all up with those seal kits.

The car now rides just as I remember when new, neither too soft or too firm, and soaks up road imperfections quietly and smoothly. They were mounted with the repro domestic springs sold through Courtesy Nissan, no cutting, and the ride height looks to be close to perfectly stock with the current tires which are 185/70 x 14.

The 185/70 x 14 have an overall aspect ratio, or diameter of about 24 inches. The original Bridgestone Superspeed-20 175 SR 14 tires had a diameter of 25 inches. Measurements for those interested in stock numbers, (Carl are you there?), and since we have addressed this several times in previous threads, are as follows:

Front wheel arch - 26 inches

Rear wheel arch - 26 1/4 inches

front rocker jack point - 7 3/4 inches

rear rocker jack point - 8 inches

I have a set of 175 HR 14 tires on order which, as I mentioned above, have an aspect ratio, or stock diameter, of 25 inches which should add 1/2 inch to the above measurement. Those measurements should come very

close to Carl's measurements to confirm the correct ride height with factory original shocks, springs with the correct tire size. And, I can vouch for the measurements of the stock Bridestone Superspeed-20 as I have a

new one in the spare tire well.

Thanks, again Arne and Jerry!

Dan

Original Owner: hls30-20419

Just completed restoration to 100% original

(or as close as I could get the last 10 years)

[Carl Beck]

Hi Dan:

Yes - I'm here. That all lines up fairly well with what we found as well.

Calculated tire size is one thing - the actual size mounted on a specific rim width, inflation pressure and load or no load can vary .25 to .5 inch in diameter. So all these measurements have some tolerance

175 x 80 = 144.0 mm / 5.67 inch ...5.67+5.67+14= 25.34 inch

175 x 78 = 136.5 mm / 5.37 inch....5.37+5.37+14= 24.74 inch

185 x 70 = 129.5 mm / 5.08 inch............................24.16 inch

195 x 70 = 136.5 mm / 5.37 inch............................24.74 inch

205 x 60 = 123.0 mm / 4.84 inch............................23.68 inch

I do still have a spare set of the Repro Stock Springs if anyone needs a set - just PM me.

I also have a set of NOS Euro Spec. Stage I's...

FWIW,

Carl B.