Suspension Problems - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

thewholefnshow · 02-27-2002, 10:05 AM

Ok. Here is the thing, I have an s14a base model. I have had it for like 3 months now, and have a bunch of questions with the suspension. It feels good in turns and sits pretty flat as long as it is an even surface... if I get an bumps like bridge connectors or whatever I get an uncomfertable boaty feeling. When driving in windy conditions the car gets really jumpy, takes a lot of work to keep it straigh sometimes coming over high bridges where the wind gets really strong, and feels sloppy. It is strange. I have bottomed my suspension twice recently on larger bumps... The pervious owner said he replaced the rear struts recently... I don't believe him, just like I don't believe that he never used the trailor hitch he put on there (I wanted to kill him... but I wanted the car more) But anyways... what do you think? Is it bushings? Is my stock suspension just sloppy cause it is the softer base model? Help a guy out!

Sick240 · 02-27-2002, 10:17 AM

Sounds like your struts are blown, pull of the wheels, and you will most likely see hydraulic fluid all over the strut, and dirt will probably be all over it, lates

tnord · 02-27-2002, 10:56 AM

real quick before i go to class.........i agree it sounds like your shocks are blown.  like sick240 said, there will be oil all over them if they are, and maybe even in the fender well.  the problem you have with cornering over bumps is called bumpsteer, not too sure what causes it.  i think it's from when the tire becomes disconnected with the road over bumps so you slide and it feels unstable.  also a result of bad shocks.  also part of the problem is yes you do have the base model, which i doubt has springs as stiff as the SE, not sure about swaybar issues.  anyway.....gotta get to class.  i'll check the thread again later.

thewholefnshow · 02-27-2002, 11:27 AM

I know that is has one sway bar not two, I think it is the front. I took digital pictures of everything yesterday (under the car) and was looking for stuff like that, I will look tonight for that in particular. If it is the case... I guess I need a new suspension. But damned if it is not expensive... if anyone else has idea, fill me in.

rampid360 · 02-27-2002, 11:51 AM

I agree with everyone else and blah blah blah...but as for the hard to steer feeling in the wind....you are driving a 2700lb car...get used to that.  Wind really man-handles these cars..   Just wait till you are going the speed limit and a semi blows by you <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>  

thewholefnshow · 02-27-2002, 11:53 AM

My neon weighs 200 pounds less and is  less aero dynamic, and it didn't sway as much as this one... I am assuming it is commont to get thrown around then?

DuffMan · 02-27-2002, 11:56 AM

Yeah they to seem to  get thrown arround by wind a lot.

I think it's not just the weight, but the near 50/50 weight distrubution that makes them vunerable to it.

thewholefnshow · 02-28-2002, 07:56 AM

Well, I checked everything, and there rae no leaks at all, a torn shock boot in front, but other than that everything checks out... how ofter do you have to change your shocks? cause mine probably have 80k on them.

RoNx777 · 02-28-2002, 09:16 AM

Change the shocks/struts/spring. And even lower it 1.5" or so and it'll feel alot better.

02-27-2002, 10:05 AM	#1
thewholefnshow Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 672 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok. Here is the thing, I have an s14a base model. I have had it for like 3 months now, and have a bunch of questions with the suspension. It feels good in turns and sits pretty flat as long as it is an even surface... if I get an bumps like bridge connectors or whatever I get an uncomfertable boaty feeling. When driving in windy conditions the car gets really jumpy, takes a lot of work to keep it straigh sometimes coming over high bridges where the wind gets really strong, and feels sloppy. It is strange. I have bottomed my suspension twice recently on larger bumps... The pervious owner said he replaced the rear struts recently... I don't believe him, just like I don't believe that he never used the trailor hitch he put on there (I wanted to kill him... but I wanted the car more) But anyways... what do you think? Is it bushings? Is my stock suspension just sloppy cause it is the softer base model? Help a guy out!

02-27-2002, 10:17 AM	#2
Sick240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 114 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sounds like your struts are blown, pull of the wheels, and you will most likely see hydraulic fluid all over the strut, and dirt will probably be all over it, lates

02-27-2002, 10:56 AM	#3
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	real quick before i go to class.........i agree it sounds like your shocks are blown.  like sick240 said, there will be oil all over them if they are, and maybe even in the fender well.  the problem you have with cornering over bumps is called bumpsteer, not too sure what causes it.  i think it's from when the tire becomes disconnected with the road over bumps so you slide and it feels unstable.  also a result of bad shocks.  also part of the problem is yes you do have the base model, which i doubt has springs as stiff as the SE, not sure about swaybar issues.  anyway.....gotta get to class.  i'll check the thread again later.

02-27-2002, 11:27 AM	#4
thewholefnshow Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 672 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I know that is has one sway bar not two, I think it is the front. I took digital pictures of everything yesterday (under the car) and was looking for stuff like that, I will look tonight for that in particular. If it is the case... I guess I need a new suspension. But damned if it is not expensive... if anyone else has idea, fill me in.

02-27-2002, 11:51 AM	#5
rampid360 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 328 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I agree with everyone else and blah blah blah...but as for the hard to steer feeling in the wind....you are driving a 2700lb car...get used to that.  Wind really man-handles these cars..   Just wait till you are going the speed limit and a semi blows by you <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

02-27-2002, 11:53 AM	#6
thewholefnshow Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 672 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My neon weighs 200 pounds less and is  less aero dynamic, and it didn't sway as much as this one... I am assuming it is commont to get thrown around then?

02-27-2002, 11:56 AM	#7
DuffMan Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: in a cardboard box Posts: 2,517 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah they to seem to  get thrown arround by wind a lot. I think it's not just the weight, but the near 50/50 weight distrubution that makes them vunerable to it.

02-28-2002, 07:56 AM	#8
thewholefnshow Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 672 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, I checked everything, and there rae no leaks at all, a torn shock boot in front, but other than that everything checks out... how ofter do you have to change your shocks? cause mine probably have 80k on them.

02-28-2002, 09:16 AM	#9
RoNx777 Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 252 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Change the shocks/struts/spring. And even lower it 1.5" or so and it'll feel alot better.