Replacing hubs on new rotors for a 1977 280Z

[reddie73]

I have an extra set of front rotors and hub that I have taken the hubs off to put on new drilled rotors. My problem is I'm not sure if the hubs are from a 240 or 280Z since I picked them up at the salvage yard several years ago and I have a 240 as well as a 280Z. I wasn't sure if their was a way to indentify the hubs by the numbers stamped on the hubs/rotors. I just didn't want to get this assembled and find out the hub didn't fit the spindle.

[Zed Head]

Looks like they're all the same - http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsunS30/DatsunZIndex/Axle/FrontAxle/tabid/1728/Default.aspx

[reddie73]

Thanks Zed Head I appreciate the response.

[zKars]

The offsets are different between 240 and 280 hubs. To help visually ID them, the 240 hubs have scallops out of the circumference while 280 hubs are nice and round. Definitiely NOT the same.

[Zed Head]

The offsets are different between 240 and 280 hubs. To help visually ID them, the 240 hubs have scallops out of the circumference while 280 hubs are nice and round. Definitiely NOT the same.

That's interesting information. I was under the impression that the S30 wheel base was the same from 240 to 280. You're suggesting that they're different, unless Nissan used different rim offsets, to offset the hub offset. Interesting stuff, especially since the 240s have problems with half-shaft binding when the R200 is installed. i would get some numbers myself if I was at the right computer.

Eidt - I have some 78 280Z hubs and rotors sitting in my garage. I could measure hub thickness from inner bearing race edge to wheel mounting surface Thursday night or Friday morning. If someone has a 240 hub we could get a comparison.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Zed Head

[zKars]

The 280 rotors are different as well to compensate for the changed in hub face position. No effect on wheelbase. Its just how the hub/Rotor locates the rotor face in the caliper. No magic.

The common references for this relate to using the Toyota calipers on S30 chassis. They only "fit" on a 240 if you use the 280 hubs.

Edited April 4, 2012 by zKars

[Zed Head]

The 280 rotors are different as well to compensate for the changed in hub face position. No effect on wheelbase. Its just how the hub/Rotor locates the rotor face in the caliper. No magic.

The common references for this relate to using the Toyota calipers on S30 chassis. They only "fit" on a 240 if you use the 280 hubs.

So, back to the OP's question then, as long as the right rotor is paired with the right hub, no discernible change in performance. 280 rotor with 280 hub or 240 with 240. And if does take them apart, all he needs to do is confirm that the offset is right when reassembled, which would be the measurement from wheel face to bearing race.

Is this for the early 240s or all of them? I'm surprised that the carpartsmanual calls out the same part number for both, hub and rotor. The parts "bible" is wrong?

[zKars]

Something is not adding up in my brain here. If the Calipers are the same for all S30, but I'm sure the hubs are unique and have a different offset between 240/280, and now after a quick autozone/oriellys parts search, they seem to indicate the rotors are in fact the same for 240/280 (my bad), then the calipers must mount in different position relative to the spindle to account for the difference.

Help an old confused brain out here... Could'a sworn I have a stack of two different height rotors to go with the scallop/round hubs on the parts pile....

Edited April 4, 2012 by zKars

[Sito]

Hey All

Sorry to thread jack but I have a question. I have a set of wheels that I want to put on my car Wedssport toc005 17x7 +40 offset. Now on my previous Z (1977 280z Coupe) I remember mounting them and them actually fitting. I didn't lower the car and drive it I just mounted them to test fit. I remember I was able to spin the wheel without any obsructions. Now I want to put the same set of wheels on my 1976 280z 2+2 but I can't even bolt them in, they hit the strut tower.

My question is are the hubs or strut towers different between a 1977 280z coupe and a 1976 280z 2+2?

Here are some pictures for reference.

I have also been looking at those spacers on ebay... They sort of scare me though as how they're mounted... but if you guys have been running them for awhile? I dunno maybe I'll give them a try.

The wheels I'm thinking of mounting are these Wedssport TC005's

Weight

17x7.......13.9-14.6lbs

17x7.5... 14.2-15.0lbs

The wheels are 17x7 +40 offset. Too bad they weren't 17x8 with lower offset that would be perfect...

The reason why I'm somewhat set on trying to get these to fit is they are my friends and hes sold his car so hes sort of stuck with them. He also wants to sell them to me for cheap and as a Forged rim these things are really light.

These are a mockup mount on my previous 280z. Now that I think about it they actually fit on my previous 280z coupe... wth? Although I never lowered the car though so it may have have hit the strut then...

I know now on my 76 280z 2+2 the inner wheel definitely hits the strut and won't even bolt on...

I definitely remember the rim bolting on correctly and me being able to spin the rim without any trouble on the 77 coupe...

Here is the driver side front where I mounted the rim on my previous 77 280z coupe

What exactly is different? Do you guys notice anything aftermarket besides the springs? or is it all stock?

1977 280z coupe

Heres a close up of the strut tower

1977 280z coupe

and here is a closeup of the hub

1977 280z coupe

Set of pics here if anyone is interested in looking further

http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb441/psito/77%20280z%20Coupe%20Suspension/

I don't have any pictures of me test fitting the wheels on my 76 280z 2+2 or the suspension. I'll try to get some.

The only thing I'm weary about using spacers is they supposedly make a car drive badly (anyone care to chime in if this is true?) and I don't want it flying off at speed...

[Zed Head]

Where exactly is the contact? Is it tire on springs or wheel on tower? I don't see how you could hit the tower without the tire hitting the spring first. Maybe your initial test fit was without tires, or tires with a different profile.

As far as the spacers go, I think that if you have sufficient stud length extending through to get good clamping force they should be okay. You might have to install longer studs to be safe. Your wheelbase might be wider or narrower depending on the offset of the wheels subtracted from the offset induced by the spacers.

Back to zkars #8 post - maybe the hubs are different in form/appearance, but not function. Same offset and bearing race dimensions, but no effect on usage.

By the way, your photo bucket account requires a password to view.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Zed Head

[Sito]

Hey Zed

Thanks for the info

Update photobucket account

http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb441/psito/77%20280z%20Coupe%20Suspension/

The thing is the rim itself is currently hitting my 76 280z 2+2 strut tower yet it didn't at all on my 77 280z coupe? I'm just wondering if there were any differences between the 76 280z 2+2's and 77 280z coups suspension wise for the wheel hub and strut tower.

The new rim has not been changed and had the same tire combination on it then as it has now. As you can see from the pictures the rim did bolt on and could rotate freely on the 77 280z coupe. I may run spacers but I would like to avoid doing so. If instead I could just swap out a hub or something I'd rather do that.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Sito