Strut Mount Insulator - OEM vs After Market?

[w3wilkes]

I'm getting ready to go through the suspension on my 71 240Z. I find that OEM strut mount insulators are ~$80.00

https://zcardepot.com/products/strut-mount-upper-insulator-front-rear-oem-240z-260z-280z

and after market @ ZCarDepot are $48.00.

https://zcardepot.com/products/strut-mount-upper-insulator-front-rear-oem-240z-260z-280z-1

Anybody have experience with the after market ones. The saving on all 4 is like $120.00 for the aftermarket.

[Dave WM]

too bad there is no tall rear ones made new.

[w3wilkes]

I thought the taller ones were a 280Z thing.

https://zcardepot.com/products/upper-strut-mount-spacer-240z-260z-280z?variant=19280977494129

The rear spacers for a 240Z are only $11.00 for the pair

https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic20h06/23-4166

so they will match the the size of the upper front bearings

https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic20h06/23-4376

Edited May 20, 2019 by w3wilkes

[Dave WM]

you are right its a 280z thing on the rear. I figured there must have been a reason for going with more rubber, hence would prefer to not use the spacer.

[w3wilkes]

23 hours ago, w3wilkes said:

I'm getting ready to go through the suspension on my 71 240Z. I find that OEM strut mount insulators are ~$80.00

https://zcardepot.com/products/strut-mount-upper-insulator-front-rear-oem-240z-260z-280z

and after market @ ZCarDepot are $48.00.

https://zcardepot.com/products/strut-mount-upper-insulator-front-rear-oem-240z-260z-280z-1

Anybody have experience with the after market ones. The saving on all 4 is like $120.00 for the aftermarket.

So nobody has an opinion or knows anything about the $48.00 strut mount insulators?

[Dave WM]

Must be too new, when I was in the market a year or so ago there was no such thing. My only concern is  would not want something that is unknown quality attaching my suspension to the car.

[Terrapin Z]

53420-E4100 insulators are still available from Nissan.

My site says $64.21 each for the shorter 240, early 260, and 280 Front.

280 rears are NLA but you might be able to use the Z depot space on the shorter one. 

[Dave WM]

1 hour ago, Terrapin Z said:

53420-E4100 insulators are still available from Nissan.

My site says $64.21 each for the shorter 240, early 260, and 280 Front.

280 rears are NLA but you might be able to use the Z depot space on the shorter one. 

yep, that sound like what I paid for the OE stuff. My rears were fine (the fronts too for that matter) just seemed like a good idea, maybe get a better ride if the rubber is new and more pliable. I think the failure mode is the rubber tears away, prob due to having the suspension "hang" with wheels on and the car lifted. I always remove the tire and or put something under the wheels to take the weight off the insulators.

Edited May 21, 2019 by Dave WM

[w3wilkes]

1 hour ago, Terrapin Z said:

53420-E4100 insulators are still available from Nissan.

This part # does not show up on

https://parts.nissanusa.com/

Where were you looking?

[Terrapin Z]

My bad 54320-E4100........

I could not get the site you used to work with the correct part number either.

Try this : https://www.courtesyparts.com/oem-parts/nissan-insulator-strut-54320e4100

They are in Texas.

I use NissanParts.cc in Washington = same results.

 

[Blitzed]

Hi All,

I'm in suspension hell. Sure the Z vets out there who've gone through the fire prior are laughing. Cost is adding up rapidly as the shock towers were sent the local car shop for "F"ing gland nut and old cartridge removal. 

FYI - gland nut tool for $35.00 bucks does a fine job of rounding all the corners (not sure it the right size for the nut?), waste of money. 

Here my question, purchased Eibach progressive springs, Koni adjustable shocks and the new pillow ball spring seat and strut mount (see attached) from Motorsport.

Anyone installed this set-up? Instructions on all parts are vague at best. The shocks have an aluminum sleeve that slides below the treads on the shaft, holds the bump stop?

Concern, the original rubber insulator, not used on this set-up, the new spring seat mount and strut mount are metal on metal. Noise, vibration, banging or other? Would a thin piece of rubber between the two help? Any experience, tricks or advice would be great.

Busted knuckles. 

[Zed Head]

Post a link to the parts page.  Never seen those parts before.  Also, not clear what car you're working with.