Forums/Z31P/z31-performance-upgrade-forums suspension-chassis-and-brakes/Installing Kouki Tension Rods
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roastin300: (2010-03-04 05:13:40)
I searched, couldn't find anything, smack me if its been covered somewhere.
I need to replace my strut rod bushings in my 84T. I have a 88N/A as well. I would prefer to buy poly bushings for the 88 style strut rods and swap them into my 84T. For some reason i remember them being a different length or something because the front control arms are different lengths correct? If this is the case, can i just swap the strut rods over without control arm or strut housing swap as well? Thanks
reddzx: (2010-03-04 05:18:31)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Seems to me I remember you'll need to swap the LCA's but I could be wrong
gardner86zx: (2010-03-04 06:38:26)
Re: Strut Rod swap
The holes in the lca need to be drilled larger. That is all.
ShamWow: (2010-03-05 03:32:21)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Kouki Tension Rod?
You need:
- 88T brackets, bushings, and rods
- Drill holes in LCA slightly larger.
- Watch for cracks in LCA.
roastin300: (2010-03-05 04:16:54)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Why cracks? Has this happened in the past?
Z_Karma: (2010-03-05 05:07:35)
Re: Strut Rod swap
It's been said that putting poly bushings in the later strut rods make them too stiff
and create stress cracks in the LCA. I'm not sure under what conditions though.
Somebody posted images at one time, it's been awhile though.
roastin300: (2010-03-05 16:34:52)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Maybe just OEM replacement bushings in 88-89 strut rods is a better idea then. But it sounds like the lengths and everything between early and late styles are the same ya? Cool
ShamWow: (2010-03-05 21:45:40)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Yes the lengths are the same.
When using Poly LCA bushings, and Poly Tension rod bushing, more stress (than OEM) is placed on that joint, under hard acceleration or braking. In the past, people have noticed stress cracks around the bolt holes.
A strut rod is the shiny steel cylinder shaped rod extending from your suspension damper.
NissanEgg: (2010-03-06 14:15:16)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Beck posted up the pics long ago. Some people go as far as to weld in a thin sheet of steel on the LCA around the holes to give more strength.
adamvann3: (2010-03-07 21:24:31)
Re: Strut Rod swap
Yup, it seems to me it should be fairly easy to either box in your control arm or do something to displace the extra stress scene.
Not sure about earlier models but I am fairly sure that the factory had an extra piece of metal on the bottom of the LCA where the TENSION ROD is mounted.
floridaZ: (2010-03-08 08:48:45)
Re: Strut Rod swap
I'm pretty sure that was the early style rod that had the most problems. Which makes sense to me… I'd think the later style could move more freely than the early, bolt in a hole flex this shit design.
roastin300: (2010-03-10 04:54:09)
Just went with the early style rods and used poly bushings. I see how stress in this area is large, the early style ones don't really pivot much as the control arms move up and down, causing stress in the area where the rod bolts to the control arm and on the control arm bushings, hopefully i wont have any problems. And if i do then i will weld in a reinforcement and replace the control arm bushings, done.