Hi All, 

I have a '72 240Z.  I had my suspension rebuit last summer and now the ride seems too high.  (It measures 3-4 inches - measured from the top of the tires to the bottom of the fender openings.)   

(See below for pics of Before & After the suspension rebuild.  The snowy one is "after".)

I had bought new springs from Z Car Source of Arizona.  The guy answering the phone told me the springs were "stock" spec, and kind of brushed me off.  (His number is now disconnected.)  I also had KYB struts and all bushings, etc. from MotorSport installed at the same time.  Everything else is stock.  The tires are new too - stock size (195 70R 14).

Questions:

1) Has anyone else had the same experience with or without these springs?

2) Will the ride self-lower with time?   (I've put less than 200 miles on the car since installing the springs/struts.)

3) What are my options to get to stock? 

4) AM I over thinking this?!

Thanks much!

FWIW...I'm riding on Suspension Technique springs, KYB struts and 205/60-14 with ZX rims.

Cut a couple of coils off the springs. (With a cutting disc)

The "stock" springs that were sold to you might have come from a later year and heavier car, i.e. a 260Z or 280Z. If so, that could explain the higher ride height. Cutting coils is certainly an option but it comes with a penalty of higher spring rates and a stiffer ride. Your best long term bet is to start over with a known product, Eibach Progressive and Voightland are a couple of options. I experimented with cut-down stock 240Z springs with two coils removed. It did lower the car some but the ride quality suffered so I returned to Eibachs that I had on hand.

Thanks all - very helpful.  The springs I installed were represented as correct for a 1972 240Z,  so needless to say, I'm disappointed. 

Can I be sure that the springs are the problem and that replacing them will give me stock specs? 

@jfa.series1:  What springs are you running on your car (pictures)?

Thanks guys - very helpful.   The springs were represented as correct for a 1972 240Z.

Can I be sure that different springs will give me a diffent height.   

Will it eventually sit lower with time/miles?   

Can I get a better look (i.e. less gap) by changing the tires?

@DatsunZGuy:    Thanks for the data point

The other thing is what does suspension rebuild involve? If they torqued the bushings with the suspension hanging instead of loaded that will increase your ride height.

Isn't that what stock looks like on US cars?

It looks good to me as is. 

I have what jonbill suggested done to mine. They called it "collapsing" the springs. 

I run 15" wheels and really like the look. 

Looking closer, the front may be a little higher? I'm not sure the brand name but I've read there are "front" and "rear"  specific struts that have been installed wrong.

 

Edited February 27, 20232 yr by siteunseen

3 hours ago, Jughead said:

@jfa.series1:  What springs are you running on your car (pictures)?

The signature pic is from 2021, probably with the cut-down stock springs. Here is another view:

This is an earlier pic with the Eibach's, just a tad lower:

I have the same problem with Z Source "stock" springs. I was told I got the first set after extensive "testing" had been completed. I did not want a lowered stance, so I got a "lifted" one instead...! I am still working on my car before it is put back on the road...I'll make my decision after I drop it down and drive it for a while. That being said, I hear that Z Source folded. They were never friendly, always right about everything, always in a hurry...just my observation.

@Tirnipgreen

Send me a pic of your car to compare to mine.  I'm sure we both just caught Z Source on "bad days" ...;)