280zx struts

[john510]

Ive started my 280zx strut/brake conversion on my 510.After removing the strut cartridge from the tube on the zx strut i noticed oil in the tube,about 2 tablespoons.Is that supposed to be in there ? the cartridges are KYB nitrogen charged and dont appear to be leaking.My question is what would that oil be for.Ive read every thread on suspension and did see something about changing to motorcycle fork oil.Is that oil going in the strut tube or into a strut cartridge ?

[Kisor]

It's in there to dampen/insulate the cartridge from rattling around. Look more about changing weights of oil and such in suspension.

[thisismatt]

Gonna have to disagree with Kisor. It's probably just left over from when the inserts were changed out the first time. The original inserts were not sealed, except within the strut tube itself, and operated in an open bath of oil. Changing weights of oil applies only to inserts that use the strut tube as the outside shell of the shock itself like the original inserts. You can reuse good original inserts and change the oil viscosity to increase damping without getting new inserts. The same principle applies to motorcycle forks and good mountain bike forks. Replacement inserts should be the correct length, or come with appropriate spacers, to fit snugly between the bottom of the strut tube and the gland nut, preventing them from moving side to side.

[Kisor]

Sorry, maybe I'm misinformed. Looks like I need to do more research myself.

[datzenmike]

Matt is right on.

 

It is a good idea to fill up any empty space around the insert with oil. This will allow the heat generated to be transferred to the outer strut tube for cooling.

[Hurley]

Gonna have to disagree with Kisor. It's probably just left over from when the inserts were changed out the first time. The original inserts were not sealed, except within the strut tube itself, and operated in an open bath of oil. Changing weights of oil applies only to inserts that use the strut tube as the outside shell of the shock itself like the original inserts. You can reuse good original inserts and change the oil viscosity to increase damping without getting new inserts. The same principle applies to motorcycle forks and good mountain bike forks. Replacement inserts should be the correct length, or come with appropriate spacers, to fit snugly between the bottom of the strut tube and the gland nut, preventing them from moving side to side.

 

If I need spacers do they go under the cartridge or on top and where can I get them?

[john510]

Thanks guys,never took struts apart before.I got a little confused about changing strut oil in a nitrogen filled strut-not possible.So there are 2 types of strut?

[thisismatt]

Gas charged shocks still use oil. The pressurized gas is mainly there to help keep the oil from aerating (foaming) which would degrade performance, similar to how you don't want your engine oil foaming. It's a bonus, so sure, you can have shocks that are not gas charged, like the OEM strut inserts.

[ggzilla]

When you fit strut insert cartridges, you are supposed to put a bit of oil in first. It's in the instructions in all the ones I've done.

[docbainey]

If I need spacers do they go under the cartridge or on top and where can I get them?

 

 

If you are going to use cartridges, the spacers go under the insert. Any thing big and solid will work, I've used large nuts & pieces of tubing or even pipe before.