MetalZ240

Her's what i got back from Rockauto about the above... I can confirm that the number you have listed is a drum for a 1973 Nissan 240Z 2.4L. I talked to a tech at centric about part #12342002 and he assured me that the part was correct for the vehicle, and said that this part looks a bit different from a typical drum. We were able to determine that the picture was incorrect. The tech told me it should be the same picture and measurements as the #12242002 which I attached to this message. I apologize for having that incorrect picture listed. Thank you, Nick RockAuto Customer Service

Try this as an experiment: Look up parts for a 1973 240z 2.4L vehicle, then look up "DRUMS" and you'll see CENTRIC 12342002 C-TEK Standard Brake Drums... Click "INFO" and tell me what you see listed... Maybe its just me, but that sure looks like a front rotor to me...

Just in case anyone is still following this, i never did get a word back from Centric on this issue - they have completely ignored me - and i've since found other catalog problems with Centric [so be extra careful buying parts from these guys]... For example they currently have a rear brake "drum" listed with a part number that identifies it as a front rotor. The also had a '260z' part listed for a 260z "from 8/73" huh??? Rockauto has given me a partial refund, so this whole mess has been very costly, thanks to them sending me rotors for a 280z or later.... Might be best to avoid buying online unless you can really confirm the part you are getting with a specs sheet, or else you are taking a big risk, even with so-called "money back" guarantees that don't refund for shipping.

Well i'm still waiting to hear from them, so i'll see what they say.... If the refund includes the shipping then its an easy call for me to send them back. I'm just concerned they may say that by trying to install them, they were "installed" [its a bit of a semantic call as to what constitutes install i suppose]. Then of course what constitutes 'damage' since some of the paint is probably scratched from the bolts attaching it to the hub, which would just be a cosmetic repair, but here again it comes down to who's definition one uses. I have printed out the return instructions order in case i do get a green light... or i could just send them back and hope for the best. I'm actually having trouble making a decision.... one minute i lean one way, then lean another. Very frustrating actually. Thanks for the info.

I just looked at my old rotors, and to my surprise the wall thickness of the flange than bolts to the hub just happens to be 8mm, meaning if that flange was cut out of the old rotors [which a mechanist would be able to do] it would make a perfect spacer.... I think i will now look into finding some high quality bolts that would accommodate the extra 8 mm. If they are out there, that may be my best solution to this problem. Does anyone happen to know the bolt diameter and thread pitch of the hub bolts?

The wheel position [as far as distance apart] is determined by the shaft and races of the bearings and nut that secures the hub to the shaft.... all the spacer does is extend the rotor inward as if it had a longer hat. I have two machine shops that could make the spacer, but haven't gotten a quote for how much that would be... and i don't think aluminum alloy would be a good choice, i think i'd prefer high carbon steel or stainless steal for the added shear strength. However my main concern in doing the spacer [aside from what it may cost to custom make them] is that i'd have to find bolts with an >8mm longer grip length, which i could probably find, but its an unknown. I think i am leaning towards getting new rotors, and perhaps seeing if i can sell the new ones i have now that must fit some sort of z car from later 73 to who knows when... Actually i'm somewhat surprised nobody in here has said they use that size height of 43.5mm rotor. Also curious why Centric only makes this shorter size, and not the longer one... or at least Rockauto doesn't list them.

I'm worried that they may insist i "installed" the part, even though it doesn't fit, and couldn't really KNOW that until i put it on the hub and shaft. These rotors came with absolutely nothing as far as measurements, and i had never even heard of any difference between any year 240z, let alone the SAME year. I clearly ordered rotors for a 73 240z, but i'm finding out just now there are 51.5mm [hat size] rotors and 43.5 mm rotors.... apparently both for 73. I need the taller one, and they sent the short one. I wish there was a relatively cheap method of just fabricating an 8mm spacer.... then finding longer bolts with the right shank or grip length... That would be a viable fix provided the spacer was hard shear strength metal, it would actually be the strongest part of the assembly, and from what i can see the bolts can take up to 32,000 pounds of shear force, which would be plenty to say the least. Unfortunately i really don't know what to do at this point.... and my project is on hold. Even if Rockauto decides to refund the rotors cost, which i think they *should* do, i will be biting it twice on shipping, and will still have to order new rotors FROM MY LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE.

They are scalloped.... and i have had the car over 25 years and nothing of that sort was done. This has to be one of the most bizarre things that has ever happened to me regarding car repair. Its really all up to Rockauto.... because if they won't give me a refund i will have to find another solution. I'm feeling like they took advantage of me somewhat, as i really could not imagine two completely different sizes of rotors for the same f-ing car year....!!!! plus the fact they don't mention this as an issue in the listing, and didn't even give the dimensions of the rotors so people could go and measure the old rotors for comparison. Really puts you in a vulnerable spot for ordering parts online...like a trap almost... so if they don't make it right i'll never do that again.

My car is a 73, and prior to this i had never heard of Datsun changing the design of their rotors in mid stream [so to speak]... but it appears to be the case, as i think my car was made in the 6 month (but not sure). It would of course have been nice if Rockauto [or Centric i suppose] would have given details [dimensions, measurements] etc for those rotors if this was an issue for that year... So, needless to say i am now waiting to see how good their customer service is, and give me the benefit of doubt and give me a full refund. Otherwise i think my 'shopping on the internet' experiment will come to a quick halt.

The part number and part type don't really tell me anything.... As you may know with these auto parts websites, you select your make and year even before you search for the part, so i really should not have been able to order the wrong part - of course that still doesn't mean they didn't send me the wrong part, but i am nervous about Rockauto being honest about such a mistake.... guess we will see shortly. Here are the part numbers 128.42004R 128.42004L Part type is listed as 8708.30.9990 I hope they do acknowledge sending the wrong part [which is clearly what must have happened] but if not i really don't have much of an option - unless i send them back an bite it on shipping.. I realize this is a sensitive area to play with, but i don't think i could go wrong as long as the spacer is strong [not aluminum or brass for example] and i make sure to get longer hub bolts. Its really just acting as a longer hat... I also may not be thinking very clearly as i'm frankly quite pissed that this has happened.... My experience with customer service from other companies isn't helping either. Thanks for the reply, though...

Well i decided i would not flog a dead horse and went out and ordered some Centric "sportstop brake rotors" from 'RockAuto'.... however after installing them, i now notice that the "hat height" on these rotors is about 3/8th inch shorter, thus making it impossible to get the calipers on... Here is a picture of the problem.. I'm just wondering if Rockauto sent me the wrong rotors, or what my options are.... I may have to make spacers - perhaps a 1/4 inch spacer will do the job, but of course that also means i have to find longer hub bolts. [anyone know the bolt size for the stock bolts?]

Thanks or the reply. The 90 dollar one was from a major Z supplier on Ebay...There were actually higher ones. Even at 54, plus shipping, its a good deal of cash to spend on essentially replacing a little piece of plastic about the same size as a quarter, and probably containing less than a nickels worth of plastic pressed out of a die at the rate of 20 per minute... I just find it odd that nobody thought of producing a few thousand extra, with the understanding that everything breaks - and especially thin plastic where your hand rests a good part of the day when driving.. These inserts are/were actually a statutory requirement in vehicles in many states/provinces... etc... If my plastic choke lever breaks (which it did awhile ago) i could easily get a new one without having to buy the entire choke lever and cables. Other issue i have is i actually have a five speed. I could be satisfied with a four speed gear layout, as the layout is essentially the same, it just has the 5th gear missing in the only place left for a gear. Sometime this week i'm going to try a place that makes button pins, and perhaps they can reproduce something that will look good enough... perhaps even stronger than original. It shouldn't be hard to fabricate something like that, provided they have all the tools for the job. IF i get two made, i can sell one of the spare maple shift knobs i have.

Will put his address in my options list, thanks.. @bpilati Yeah, they are pretty flimsy plastic, with little to no support underneath.... I have two nice maple knobs with both having broken gear layouts. I just find it odd that nobody at Nissan considered making extra. They wouldn't even take up much shelf space, and they are a separate part, so they have dies for them somewhere.

If you don't mind shelling out about 140 dollars after shipping.... but since its the insert that breaks frequently, you'd think they would have made those available for 5 dollars.... Apparently they don't, because i have not found anyone who can find them. However i'm sure i can find someone to make something that is close enough...

Here's a question i can't seem to get an answer to: If you have a shift knob with a broken or missing gear pattern insert (that little cheap plastic part that breaks after 10 years) can you get a replacement, and avoid having to buy the entire knob? I've seen the maple shifter knobs selling for over 100 dollars (not including shipping) on ebay... I have two original maple shifters from a 240z - both in pretty good shape, save for the broken and missing insert (i actually saved part [80 percent of it] of the 4 speed one that came with the car when i bought it). Complicating things abit is the fact i actually now have a 76 280z five speed trans in my 240z, but they are either made or not i suppose. I was also considering having someone reproduce one for me, but have no idea who to contact to do that. Someone skilled in plastic molds i guess - whoever that is??? Would appreciate any suggestions...