Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Coil-overs and mechanical stress?

MaysEffect · 12-03-2019, 12:09 AM

The issue isn't all out failure of the mount, but bending and warping of the mounting structure and frame. The long term damage will be seen in misalignment errors and constant alignment issues. There are similar issues in VW and Mercedes when people lower there cars with improper spring rates and the wrong bump stops for the ride height change. The G37 actually has had problems with mount failures even with non "true" type coilovers, constant bottoming out has led to some cars warping the panels and causing horrible alignment issues and wobbling under normal driving conditions. I've seen that bolts will shift in the subframes and extra wear in bushings, but most notably is the alignment problems and weird wobbling. I can't speak for the Z. As some have stated, there is know notable issue.

The benefits however for track usage out weighs these negatives IMO, considering you should be checking your alignment frequently and making sure your shocks are in good working order. The other part to ensuring more safety is putting on bigger tires to absorb more impact. Years back when teams were running the Z in Pirelli and Continental challenge, teams were running 18's with massive tire profiles...youuuu should probably do the same.

Also note, you will be compounding the issue if you move away from Rubber/soft poly bushings in your suspension linkages and subframe. When you bottom out your shock on bumpstops, a lot of the force is transferred through your tires & bushings before they actually fully compress the shock and punch dents and hard force into the frame. So bottoming out and bashing bumpstops isn't all that bad within itself. It's when you start eliminating absorption throughout the entirety of the suspension system. Tuning bumpstops may add a level of protection if you know you are going to be extra rough. But ultimately just making sure you have the right springs for your intended ride height is the most important factor, followed by properly sized sway-bars so that the weight is shifted properly under extreme bump.

12-03-2019, 12:09 AM	#17 (permalink)
MaysEffect Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SoCal Age: 32 Posts: 383 Drives: Infiniti FX35 Rep Power: 36	The issue isn't all out failure of the mount, but bending and warping of the mounting structure and frame. The long term damage will be seen in misalignment errors and constant alignment issues. There are similar issues in VW and Mercedes when people lower there cars with improper spring rates and the wrong bump stops for the ride height change. The G37 actually has had problems with mount failures even with non "true" type coilovers, constant bottoming out has led to some cars warping the panels and causing horrible alignment issues and wobbling under normal driving conditions. I've seen that bolts will shift in the subframes and extra wear in bushings, but most notably is the alignment problems and weird wobbling. I can't speak for the Z. As some have stated, there is know notable issue. The benefits however for track usage out weighs these negatives IMO, considering you should be checking your alignment frequently and making sure your shocks are in good working order. The other part to ensuring more safety is putting on bigger tires to absorb more impact. Years back when teams were running the Z in Pirelli and Continental challenge, teams were running 18's with massive tire profiles...youuuu should probably do the same. Also note, you will be compounding the issue if you move away from Rubber/soft poly bushings in your suspension linkages and subframe. When you bottom out your shock on bumpstops, a lot of the force is transferred through your tires & bushings before they actually fully compress the shock and punch dents and hard force into the frame. So bottoming out and bashing bumpstops isn't all that bad within itself. It's when you start eliminating absorption throughout the entirety of the suspension system. Tuning bumpstops may add a level of protection if you know you are going to be extra rough. But ultimately just making sure you have the right springs for your intended ride height is the most important factor, followed by properly sized sway-bars so that the weight is shifted properly under extreme bump. Last edited by MaysEffect; 12-03-2019 at 06:22 PM.