strut identification

[Richgearhead]

Can anyone tell what strut I have I believe they are off a 240Z or 280Z I have posted a picture, thanks for your help.  Well I can't seem to find where I can attach the photo can anyone help me with that

 

Richgearhead

[datzenmike]

Wire brush the outside of the strut tube and there will be a 10 digit part number something like 54303-????? probably starts with an N or an E and four more numbers, 10 in all. Post what you find.

 

 

For pictures you will need to get a (usually free) picture hosting account, like imgur, image shack but do NOT use Photobucket. Download and save your picture there. When you need it, go to your account, copy the picture information bring it here and paste into your post. This is a very abbreviated description but I figured it out so anyone can. 

[Richgearhead]

thanks for your help

 

Richgearhead

[Richgearhead]

https://imgur.com/ACChNOR

 

https://imgur.com/jjNU1Fl

 

These are images of the strut that came on the car. Do these look like a 280 Z strut? Are the rebuildable? I'm searching for a kit to service  them, or a place to have them serviced. Any help identifying them would be appreciated. If not any ideas on a replacement? The prior owner used them for a strut conversion of the front of a 70 duster. 

[datzenmike]

Yeah the part number is much higher up and covered by those sleeves. Can they be removed?

 

Do you know what the small round hole is for?

 

 

 

 

 

There should be a caliper mount on the back. Can you measure the center to center of the bolt holes? A ZX caliper mount has holes 89mm apart center to center, both sides are machined smooth and the holes are not threaded.

 

I believe all (Datsun) struts up to '84 (at least) were threaded, (the bolt goes through the caliper and threads into the mount) and so only needs to be machined on one side. The ZX bolts through the mount and into the threaded caliper. The only other strut with an 89mm center to center is the '80-'82 S110 200sx but again the mount is only machined on the one side and threaded. I'll check this this weekend.

[thisismatt]

Measure the steering knuckle bolt spacing, as this is wider on 240z/280z than 510/280zx.

[hosestop@msn.com]

A guy makes lower strut adapter for ths wide lower strut mount.

[Richgearhead]

Thanks guys for the info, I did remove the coil over thread and there are no numbers to be found, these struts have a JFZ disc brake that bolts to the five holds on the spindle mount, I was hoping to get some info it these struts are rebuild-able or I can purchase some new ones, they have sat for 10 years and leak out the top seal.

 

[thisismatt]

Pull the inserts. Those struts look like they've been shortened, so who knows what inserts they are.

[Richgearhead]

Yes they been shorten, I can see where the inserts where welded I pulled them apart the tube is being used as the shock will more pictures help? I am really stuck here hoping to not have to buy new struts with disc brakes.

[thisismatt]

Measure the bolt to bolt distance of the steering knuckle bolts (bottom of the strut). You can measure from left edge to left edge to get the center-center number.

 

Do you mean the tube is filled with oil like the stock open bath inserts?

[Richgearhead]

Yes the tube is filled with oil I'll measure the distance in the morning thanks again for your time

[datzenmike]

It was common to run inserts but fill the tube with oil around them to help transfer heat to the tube wall to keep them cool.

[Richgearhead]

Ok I measured the center to center of the bottom of my strut, it 82.55 mm, so my question is what insert can I install in these struts if I can't get a rebuild kit?

[datzenmike]

I just measured my 280zx strut bolts spacing for the knuckle and it's 80mm. I got 80.38mm but best guess. Definitely NOT 82+mm. 

 

 

[thisismatt]

80mm for 510, 280zx.

91mm for 240z, etc.

 

Looks like 280zx but someone cut off the stock caliper mounts. You need to measure the strut tube depth to find something that will work.

 

 

[datzenmike]

All Datsun struts, well other than the 240/260 280z, have a 10 degree spindle angle. I heard this is why they are not used for swapping.

[Richgearhead]

Thanks I'll measure the tube depth and remeasure the bolt spacing again

[datzenmike]

On 11/13/2019 at 12:18 PM, Richgearhead said:

Can anyone tell what strut I have I believe they are off a 240Z or 280Z I have posted a picture, thanks for your help.  Well I can't seem to find where I can attach the photo can anyone help me with that

 

Richgearhead

 

As I understand it the S30 struts do not work on any other Datsun (510, 610, 710, 810, B-210, 210, A10, S10, S110 and on...) so in reverse, none of those will work on your 240z. I believe it's the strut/spindle angle which is 10 degrees on the other Datsun cars. If this was on a 240z then I would expect it to be from another S30 up to '78.

[thisismatt]

Mike, were you really wondering what that hole was for? The one for turning the lower casting on a lathe to machine the spindle?

[datzenmike]

No I wasn't.  Wondered if anyone else knew.

 

Well that's one then.... and Mklotz.

[Richgearhead]

I measured the tube depth at 8 5/8"  the tube on the shaft measures 7 1/4" any inserts that will work for this?  

[Richgearhead]

Well I guess I have over stayed in trying to fine help those of you that responded, thanks for your time

 

[datzenmike]

 That seems terribly short for an insert. Try on line for a place that makes and/or sells strut inserts, (Tokiko?) or on line catalog of sizes and dimensions. You can use shorter one than needed and build it up underneath with washers. 

[thisismatt]

That is really short.  Some of the shortest common ones I know of are still about 13-1/2" long (MR2 rear inserts).  Got any pictures of the insert removed from the strut tube?