Restoring '71 240Z; Need Suspension & Brake Help

[calicocat]

While the custom body shop starts to strip the paint and do the body work, I need to either upgrade or refresh the suspension, among other things. VIN is HLS30-13907 mfg. 11/70 I'm the original owner. Car has 58k miles but was in an accident years ago and fixed. Pennsylvania weather wasn't very kind to my rear quarterpanels. Now the custom shop needs to get it right. All struts are original with Koni shocks, but the shocks are old. I see there are plenty of threads for me to look at. I guess it'll take me some time to review them. Offset Delrin bushings are installed. I see the Z Store mentioned as a supplier site. I need to upgrade the brakes, front and rear. I would appreciate any advice to get me started. This is my 1st post. Thanks for bearing with me.

[Diseazd]

Install Tokico shocks, Eibach springs and replace the bushings with rubber original rubber bushings. Keep the stock brakes ( rebuild of course ). New rotors and pads are dirt cheap. While everything is apart, clean up and paint the suspension. Very rare to have an original owner.....good luck. All of this IMO

[calicocat]

Thank you for that information. I'll probably go that way. I seem to remember something different about the early '70 struts. The Koni shocks would never thread in very far leading me to believe the early struts were shorter than later 70 struts. I hope I won't have the same problem with the Tokicos. I also recall that installing a heavier front sway bar 7/8", along with a rear bar, caused the front end to lift a bit. It's currently sitting at 8 3/4" floor to bottom of rocker panel behind the front wheel which is too high.

[mgood]

Calicocat, Hi and welcome, I am in the South Hills (South Park) where in Pittsburgh? Good to see another Pittsburgher. I did a complete clean and refresh on my suspension over the last couple of years, might be of some help. Lets see some pictures.

[cbuczesk]

Have all your suspension parts powder coated. I agree with using stock brakes. Check rockauto.com for brake parts and more.

Chuck

[jfa.series1]

Welcome to the group! As an original owner, you are eligible for membership in the unofficial "Old Men and Old Cars" club. If you are not already registered with Carl Beck on Z Home, be sure to get on his original owner's registry at the Z Car Home Page .

Some very good advice on shocks, springs, and bushings above. Most, if not all of the stock rubber bushings are still available at Nissan. You can locate your P/N's in the online catalog at Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z Parts Manual .

Nissan rubber steering rack bushings are NLA but you might be able to locate the OE-style made by Beck-Arnley, but they are scarce. The same goes for the steering rod coupler, but no aftermarket was made other than poly.

One of your biggest challenges (read major PITA) will be the rear control arm spindles. Search the forum threads on this topic. Hint: one of my control arms was badly damaged in the removal process!

+1 on the request for pictures, we all want to see the other guy's and gal's rides.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[calicocat]

Thanks Michael. I'm in the North Hills. You can email me at rjdhome@msn.com. Thanks for that "Old guys" site info Jim. I'll have to register there. I'll work on getting some photos. The car will be going into the shop in about a week though. I ran into a problem with rear control arm spindles on a friend's ealy '71 years ago. I'll probably leave mine on the car and just pull the strut down and out to change the springs and shocks.

[mgood]

Calicocat, I have a spindle pin remover if you would like to use it.

[71ZZZZZ]

Install Tokico shocks, Eibach springs and replace the bushings with rubber original rubber bushings. Keep the stock brakes ( rebuild of course ). New rotors and pads are dirt cheap. While everything is apart, clean up and paint the suspension. Very rare to have an original owner.....good luck. All of this IMO

Yes...this combination gave me a really nice street ride. Also upgrade to stainless steel brake lines. The Eibachs will lower your ride height but in a nice way. The frontend lifting may not be caused by the sway bars but saggy rear springs/shocks.You didn't mention what size wheels you're running...14s?

Nice that you kept yours...

Edited November 15, 2013 by 71ZZZZZ

[calicocat]

I had installed European springs years ago. Currently the wheels are spoked Weds with 225-50-16 tires. I eliminated the rear end squat with a solid mount for the differential, replaced the mustache bar with a later model to correctly allign the half shafts and installed spacers under the bar mounts. I'm looking forward to changing to the Tokicos and Eibachs. I still have the original wheels but lost the hubcaps along the way.