link3990 link3991 link3992 link3993 link3994 link3995 link3996 link3997 link3998 link3999 link4000 link4001 link4002 link4003 link4004 link4005 link4006 link4007 link4008 link4009 link4010 link4011 link4012 link4013 link4014 link4015 link4016 link4017 link4018 link4019 link4020 link4021 link4022 link4023 link4024 link4025 link4026 link4027 link4028 link4029 link4030 link4031 link4032 link4033 link4034 link4035 link4036 link4037 link4038 link4039 link4040 link4041 link4042 link4043 link4044 link4045 link4046 link4047 link4048 link4049 link4050 link4051 link4052 link4053 link4054 link4055 link4056 link4057 link4058 link4059 link4060 link4061 link4062 link4063 link4064 link4065 link4066 link4067 link4068 link4069 link4070 link4071 link4072 link4073 link4074 link4075 link4076 link4077 link4078 link4079 link4080 link4081 link4082 link4083 link4084 link4085 link4086 link4087 link4088 link4089 link4090 link4091 link4092 link4093 link4094 link4095 link4096 link4097 link4098 link4099 link4100 link4101 link4102 link4103 link4104 link4105 link4106 link4107 link4108 link4109 link4110 link4111 link4112 link4113 link4114 link4115 link4116 link4117 link4118 link4119 link4120 link4121 link4122

Wrong strut tubes? Confirm?

  • NuCOTech
    NuCOTech
    Member
    • 76
    #1

    Wrong strut tubes? Confirm?

    I have a 1989 NA that I'm restoring and doing an NA2T on. I've currently have the front in tore down to replace the rack, strut cartridges, springs, and all bushing with poly. I'm starting to put it all back together when I come across a potential issue with my passenger side strut tube. The cartridge won't seat all of the way down. I figured ok, it's just the welds on the bottom of the cartridge since it's the exact same cartridge, just new. (KYB Excel). I filed down the welds and she slid right in. Went to put the new gland nut on and it's not big enough? The driver side went together perfectly. So I decide to check part numbers since I've read that turbo and NA tubes have their differences.

    Driver side is 54303-21P00
    Pass side is 54302-11P00

    I googled those and it shows that the passenger side is for an 84-86 and the driver side is correct to my 89.

    Now again, I believe I've read that people can swap the 87-89 strut tubes(might be thinking of control arms) or tension rods to the 84-86 to gain caster/camber. So going by that, I would assume that using these mismatched struts would be a problem and could cause potential alignment issues for me. Or am I wrong? If I am, cool. If not, I hope someone has a 87-89 PS NA tube they'd sell me so I can get this thing put back together. :-)
  • reddzx
    reddzx
    Senior Citizen
    • 6440
    #2
    Turbo strut tubes have a larger diameter, a larger gland nut and flare out slightly right above the spindle. NA tube are straight up all the way and have a smaller gland nut.



    1988 300ZX Turbo, Shiro Special #760
    1988 300ZX Turbo Automatic (wife's car)
    1991 Hard-body 2WD

    http://zccw.org/zccw/?page_id=1215
  • NuCOTech
    NuCOTech
    Member
    • 76
    #3
    reddzx;346349 wrote: Turbo strut tubes have a larger diameter, a larger gland nut and flare out slightly right above the spindle. NA tube are straight up all the way and have a smaller gland nut.
    Alright. So other than the diameter I shouldn't have an issue using these? Ill just have to use the larger gland nut on the one side correct?
  • adamvann3
    adamvann3
    Senior Member
    • 4160
    #4
    If the strut insert fits snugly into the housing. Typically turbo struts have a larger diameter.
    86na - BlueZ
    Shiro #366 - Kouki Monster
    85t - Mr Tickles
  • NuCOTech
    NuCOTech
    Member
    • 76
    #5
    adamvann3;346362 wrote: If the strut insert fits snugly into the housing. Typically turbo struts have a larger diameter.
    With the turbo gland nut on there's no movement. So I'm going to go ahead and put it together for now. But I'll keep my eyes open for an NA tube just to be on the safe side.

    Thanks for the replies everyone.