Removal of front struts

tjlazer · 08-23-2010, 12:22 PM

For the removal of the front strut, what all needs to be removed on the bottom end? Just the 19mm bolt (circled in red) and the sway bar bolt? What about the three 14mm bolts on the bracket? (circled in green) Do these NEED to be removed?

Caravanshaka · 08-23-2010, 12:45 PM

you will need to remove the entire bracket to be able to get the strut out of the car. Or you can spend 20 minutes trying to push the A-arm down far enough to slide the bottom of the strut out, but it's not worth it.

kenchan · 08-23-2010, 12:53 PM

can you fit a compressor on the spring to aid in the removal? i remember on my G i used my spring compressor while the strut was still on the car to gain clearance. (not sure if this applies).

Caravanshaka · 08-23-2010, 12:54 PM

so much easier to remove 3 bolts than it is to put a spring compressor on the strut while it is in the car

kenchan · 08-23-2010, 12:56 PM

gotcha.

fuct · 08-23-2010, 01:28 PM

i removed the red circled bolt and the sway bar knuckle. turned the wheel to the left or right depending on side and it fell right out. you could take all three bolts out but i was following the book....

tjlazer · 08-23-2010, 02:18 PM

Ok anyone know what kind of bolt that 14mm is as Nissan is having a hard time identifying it.

fuct · 08-23-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjlazer

Ok anyone know what kind of bolt that 14mm is as Nissan is having a hard time identifying it.

what do you mean what kind? like grade wise? did you f' it up?

SPOHN · 08-23-2010, 03:17 PM

So far as the OP, I wouldn't push down on the A-arm to remove the strut (even though he said it's not worth it). I did this the second time I changed out the strut and it ended up throwing off the SAI (steering axle inclination). To my understanding this can't be fixed other than replacing the upper strut mount and lower ball mount.

Those of you you who don't know what SAI is it's like caster, it provides directional stability. But it also reduces steering effort by reducing the scrub radius. SAI is a built-in nonadjustable angle and is used with camber and the included angle to show bent spindles, struts and mislocated crossmembers. I didn't have the car much longer after this to see the effects on steering or tire wear. But as far as I could tell at the time I didn't fill nothing in the steering even though it was far off from the stock settings.

tjlazer · 08-23-2010, 03:58 PM

Yeah I stripped out one of those 14mm bolts! I need a replacement asap. The dealer cannot ID the bolt. It's not in the diagrams at all, even the black bracket...

edit: apparently it's part of the whole lower arm assembly! Nice!!!

http://www.courtesyparts.com/370z-pa...8802_8804.html

Went to Sears and got a nice 6 point socket set! And a craftsman stipped nut removal kit.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P

Nissan wants $450 to do the front strut replacement. I'm going to do this myself damn it!

fuct · 08-23-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

So far as the OP, I wouldn't push down on the A-arm to remove the strut (even though he said it's not worth it). I did this the second time I changed out the strut and it ended up throwing off the SAI (steering axle inclination). To my understanding this can't be fixed other than replacing the upper strut mount and lower ball mount.

Those of you you who don't know what SAI is it's like caster, it provides directional stability. But it also reduces steering effort by reducing the scrub radius. SAI is a built-in nonadjustable angle and is used with camber and the included angle to show bent spindles, struts and mislocated crossmembers. I didn't have the car much longer after this to see the effects on steering or tire wear. But as far as I could tell at the time I didn't fill nothing in the steering even though it was far off from the stock settings.

hmmm didnt know this. i was following the manual when it came to spring/strut removal....

azn370z · 08-23-2010, 04:30 PM

On one of the 3 bolts you want to use a normal size socket and not the extended one. Or you may strip the bolt. I think you can pick up a similar bolt at tacoma screw or a store.

Mike · 08-23-2010, 08:44 PM

well, I can attest that you can remove the strut without removing those three bolts. I hate to admit it, but on my first suspension change, I cross threaded one of the three and didn't notice it until it was too late, so I just torqued it down, thinking, I'm not going to change it again. I have since changed it three times, and its very easy to get the strut out without removing them if you unbolt a lot of other stuff.

daleks · 08-23-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjlazer

Yeah I stripped out one of those 14mm bolts! I need a replacement asap. The dealer cannot ID the bolt. It's not in the diagrams at all, even the black bracket...

edit: apparently it's part of the whole lower arm assembly! Nice!!!

401 Front Suspension :: Axle & Suspension :: Genuine Nissan Parts :: 370Z Parts (Z34) 2009-2010 :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

Went to Sears and got a nice 6 point socket set! And a craftsman stipped nut removal kit.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P

Nissan wants $450 to do the front strut replacement. I'm going to do this myself damn it!

Take one of the other bolts out and go to Tacoma Screw. I went there this morning with a similar problem (incorrect torque spec in Rav4 manual... grr) and the guy just gave me a replacement bolt at no charge.

tjlazer · 08-23-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

well, I can attest that you can remove the strut without removing those three bolts. I hate to admit it, but on my first suspension change, I cross threaded one of the three and didn't notice it until it was too late, so I just torqued it down, thinking, I'm not going to change it again. I have since changed it three times, and its very easy to get the strut out without removing them if you unbolt a lot of other stuff.

Can you please give me some more info on what to do to remove it without removing that bracket?

Thanks!

08-23-2010, 12:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	Removal of front struts For the removal of the front strut, what all needs to be removed on the bottom end? Just the 19mm bolt (circled in red) and the sway bar bolt? What about the three 14mm bolts on the bracket? (circled in green) Do these NEED to be removed? __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

08-23-2010, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	you will need to remove the entire bracket to be able to get the strut out of the car. Or you can spend 20 minutes trying to push the A-arm down far enough to slide the bottom of the strut out, but it's not worth it. __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

08-23-2010, 12:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	so much easier to remove 3 bolts than it is to put a spring compressor on the strut while it is in the car __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

08-23-2010, 02:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	Ok anyone know what kind of bolt that 14mm is as Nissan is having a hard time identifying it. __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

08-23-2010, 03:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	Yeah I stripped out one of those 14mm bolts! I need a replacement asap. The dealer cannot ID the bolt. It's not in the diagrams at all, even the black bracket... edit: apparently it's part of the whole lower arm assembly! Nice!!! http://www.courtesyparts.com/370z-pa...8802_8804.html Went to Sears and got a nice 6 point socket set! And a craftsman stipped nut removal kit. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P Nissan wants $450 to do the front strut replacement. I'm going to do this myself damn it! __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV Last edited by tjlazer; 08-23-2010 at 04:27 PM.

08-23-2010, 12:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	can you fit a compressor on the spring to aid in the removal? i remember on my G i used my spring compressor while the strut was still on the car to gain clearance. (not sure if this applies).

08-23-2010, 12:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	gotcha.

08-23-2010, 01:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	i removed the red circled bolt and the sway bar knuckle. turned the wheel to the left or right depending on side and it fell right out. you could take all three bolts out but i was following the book....

08-23-2010, 03:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	So far as the OP, I wouldn't push down on the A-arm to remove the strut (even though he said it's not worth it). I did this the second time I changed out the strut and it ended up throwing off the SAI (steering axle inclination). To my understanding this can't be fixed other than replacing the upper strut mount and lower ball mount. Those of you you who don't know what SAI is it's like caster, it provides directional stability. But it also reduces steering effort by reducing the scrub radius. SAI is a built-in nonadjustable angle and is used with camber and the included angle to show bent spindles, struts and mislocated crossmembers. I didn't have the car much longer after this to see the effects on steering or tire wear. But as far as I could tell at the time I didn't fill nothing in the steering even though it was far off from the stock settings.

08-23-2010, 04:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 489	On one of the 3 bolts you want to use a normal size socket and not the extended one. Or you may strip the bolt. I think you can pick up a similar bolt at tacoma screw or a store. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts Last edited by azn370z; 08-23-2010 at 04:42 PM.

08-23-2010, 08:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2185	well, I can attest that you can remove the strut without removing those three bolts. I hate to admit it, but on my first suspension change, I cross threaded one of the three and didn't notice it until it was too late, so I just torqued it down, thinking, I'm not going to change it again. I have since changed it three times, and its very easy to get the strut out without removing them if you unbolt a lot of other stuff. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

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