Stagg Struts

[HuD 91gt]

Hello all.

I pulled the pin and ordered up a set of Stagg struts to get my car on the road, as I believe they will only be temporary before I decide what i'm going to do with the suspension. The rears went in first, and were without drama (More or less).

The front's is where it got interesting. Upon install, the front cartridge was not long enough for the gland nut to tighten down on it. From reading other posts, I remembered people talking about Tokico struts requiring a spacer. I wasn't sure how people did this, so I actually just found a 1/2" locking nut, which fit snugly to the bottom of the strut, and gave the strut that 1/4" of extra height required for the gland nut to tighten down on it. Problem solved! Once installed, it seems the Stagg strut rod is actually longer then what was in previously. As, with the car still on jacks, the control arms hangs low enough where the spring will not reach the top seat (Think, no spring compressor required for disassembly).

I don't believe different springs are in the car, but it is possible as I found the ride to be quite stiff. Has anyone run into this problem? I'm concerned the vehicle will not pass the vehicle safety which is required to get it on the road if they notice this. Another thought I has is that the spacers people are using are on the top of the strut, not on the bottom like I did. But at the same time, an extra 1/4-1/2" wouldn't be enough to take out the slack.

[rossiz]

hmm... i didn't find that issue when i installed a set of stagg struts with eibach lowering springs in my '78 - the length was fine. are you sure they are the right parts?

[HuD 91gt]

The boxes were numbered correctly. I have since emailed Stagg directly and I am checking to see if he had come across this issue before. I find it interesting that I required a spacer when you did not. If I remember correctly, the rear struts were longer then the fronts.

[Zed Head]

What car? 240 or 280? The ride was stiff compared to before or just in general? How much slack? Are the springs red (Tokico's are red and don't require a compressor)?

Interesting that the Staggs have more travel. It's a new product so information is scarce. Nobody has reported anything more than minor oddities though, which is good.

[HuD 91gt]

It's a '71 240z. The springs are not red, but super dirty and greasy. There is enough slack that the spring will easily fall out of it's perch if the wheel were to lose contact with the ground. I don't really have much to compare to as I have only driven the vehicle once, and all the struts were completely blown. But it was significantly more harsh then my Daily driver BMW on Bilstein adjustable coil overs.

[Zed Head]

This discussion comes up often, but there are many things that affect ride, like tires (profile), bushings (urethane or rubber), shocks, springs. After a while, you'll get used to it and your BMW will feel like it's disconnected from the ground. You'll miss the road feel of the Z.

[zKars]

Just for clarification here for the correct Stagg part numbers (from hybridz thread about this)

New S30 Shock and Spring Option - Page 2 - Vendor's Forum - HybridZ

#552204 fronts for 240-280z and come with both gland nuts.

#552205 240Z rears

#552206 260-280Z rears

As far as the harsh ride goes, do you get a bone jarring CRASH when you go over a bump? I'd be checking to see how much shock tube is showing with the car at static ride height with you in it. Maybe you're bottom the strut out.

This is not an uncommon issue with shortened springs.

Edited September 3, 2014 by zKars

[HuD 91gt]

I can say i'm pretty use to firm rides. My BMW is quite stiff, yet still comfortable. The harsh ride could be from a combination of the Z's springs, and what were blown struts. My previous car had cut springs, and rode like an army tank. The Z is worse.

Anyhow, I got underneath again today, and the springs are a multitude of colours, from an overspray during repaint. But the original looks to be gold. They may be aftermarket. The Z did have an upgraded front sway, and a rear sway so previous owners have fiddled. It is possible they swapped out the springs too. I have stock sized tires with 14" rims, so it's not coming from that.

[HuD 91gt]

Just for clarification here for the correct Stagg part numbers (from hybridz thread about this)

New S30 Shock and Spring Option - Page 2 - Vendor's Forum - HybridZ

#552204 fronts for 240-280z and come with both gland nuts.

#552205 240Z rears

#552206 260-280Z rears

As far as the harsh ride goes, do you get a bone jarring CRASH when you go over a bump? I'd be checking to see how much shock tube is showing with the car at static ride height with you in it. Maybe you're bottom the strut out.

This is not an uncommon issue with shortened springs.

Thanks for the info. I searched that topic before, and that is exactly how I installed them myself. Still awaiting a reply from STAGG.

Jarring is the word i'd use for the ride i'm feeling. The vehicle still seems to sit at stock height, or near stock height.

Edited September 3, 2014 by HuD 91gt

[Zed Head]

A 1/2" spacer to make the body fit the tube is not much. And the fact the the spring is loose at full extension just means the Staggs have more travel than the originals, or the shaft is longer. Which could mean that you're bottomed out sooner.

What you really want to know is the length of the shock, from bottom of the body to mounting point of the shaft, at full extension and full compression. Dimensions are hard to find, for any shock, and not many people consider the extremes, full extension and full compression, and what it means during usage. We're all accustomed to replacing stock parts so don't do all of the math that we should.

If you can see the shaft you might be able to estimate or measure travel to bottom and get an idea of what's happening. If there's a boot/bellows on it will be difficult.

Search 73598 (Monroe front) and 361002 (KYB front) on Rockauto and you'll see how things can vary (although that 14" stroke is suspect). Or just go to Suspension for a 78 280Z. You can be in the travel zone at rest but closer to top or bottom depending on which brand you're using. I've not seen the Stagg numbers although they might be out there somewhere.