Nissan 370Z Forum  

Swifts killing my Nismo Struts?

All, I installed my Swifts 13 months ago, and until recently everything was smooth and fine. After about 12,000 miles on them, I have started to notice that if I

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Brakes & Suspension


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-24-2012, 05:14 AM   #1 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
JJ-NISMO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 276
Drives: 09 NISMO 370Z PG
Rep Power: 242
JJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond reputeJJ-NISMO has a reputation beyond repute
Default Swifts killing my Nismo Struts?

All,

I installed my Swifts 13 months ago, and until recently everything was smooth and fine. After about 12,000 miles on them, I have started to notice that if I am at high speed, such as highway driving, if I hit a bump or ridge, the shocks compress "harder" than they used to and I hear a sound like air being pushed out of them. Any thoughts?

My fear is that the struts are beginning to go. Swift ensured me that everything would be fine and that they designed the springs for the 370z, but I wonder if the increased stiffness is reducing the life of the stock struts significantly. If the struts are going, what can I do?

I have the Nismo. Swifts, with rear SPL camber kit. I live in Orange County in case it helps with road condition questions.

Thanks for any help.
JJ-NISMO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2012, 08:04 AM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Alchemy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Jersey
Age: 45
Posts: 4,855
Drives: to acquire tickets
Rep Power: 3524
Alchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond reputeAlchemy has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Hmmmm, I have had my Swifts installed for around 10k miles. It still feels the same as the day I installed them. Now I believe they manufactured the spring around the stock dampers which the Nismo doesnt have. Maybe that has something to do with it???
__________________
Ryan
314WHP | 260LB-FT | STILLEN | KONI | SWIFT | STOPTECH | Z1 | PROJECT MU | CNT | UPREV | FORGESTAR | BRIDGESTONE | PWJDM | ENEOS | MOTUL
Alchemy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2012, 08:31 AM   #3 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
sfearl1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 2,300
Drives: 2013 FBO E85 GTR
Rep Power: 18
sfearl1 has a spectacular aura aboutsfearl1 has a spectacular aura aboutsfearl1 has a spectacular aura about
Default

I just installed my swifts last week so I can't really comment on your particular situation. If you are looking for other options, Koni Yellows are probably your best bet without going to a full coilover. PM Saku at KamiSpeed and he can get you a quote...

Koni Sport Yellow Shock Set - 370Z
sfearl1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2012, 09:23 AM   #4 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: PNW
Age: 35
Posts: 86
Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z 6MT
Rep Power: 14
Filipeanutz is on a distinguished road
Default

Hmm... From my experience if your shocks are blown, your car should feel mushier and bouncier.

Have you looked at your shocks yet?
If you see any oily greasy shiny stuff on it then they are probably going bad.

If the shocks are going, I would just pay a little extra money for a set of coilovers and get it over with.
Theyr supposed to perform reliably under extreme stress, so there should be no reason for them to fail early under normal driving conditions right?

Now about the life reduction of the stock struts you're wondering about, yes, increased stiffness does reduce the life of stock struts.
How significantly? I cant really give you a straight answer on that, there are so many factors that are involved.

Think of it this way. When you rub your hands together it makes friction and gets warmer. The faster and harder you rub them, the faster it is for your hands to get warmer and even hotter.
The same thing goes for your struts.
So when you take a strut thats only supposed to move a certain amount of fluid at a certain rate and force it to move that fluid at a much faster rate, it's gonna be making a lot more heat and stress than it used to causing it to wear quicker than what the manufacturer had said.


I hope I answered your questions and clarified any misinformation.

Here are the links of where I got my information from.


HowStuffWorks "Dampers: Shocks"

http://www.suspensionwholesale.com/A...l/Default.aspx
__________________
"Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him."
- B. Franklin
Filipeanutz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2012, 09:32 AM   #5 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
fuct's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sugar Land
Posts: 3,692
Drives: 97' Ranger :)
Rep Power: 24
fuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud offuct has much to be proud of
Default

replacement shocks

mine dont feel like that, but yes the factory shocks arnt made for those springs.
fuct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2012, 02:54 PM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
tjlazer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tacoma
Age: 53
Posts: 2,496
Drives: Z34, R35
Rep Power: 20
tjlazer is just really nicetjlazer is just really nicetjlazer is just really nicetjlazer is just really nice
Send a message via ICQ to tjlazer Send a message via MSN to tjlazer Send a message via Yahoo to tjlazer
Default

Just remember, when installing lowering springs you have to accept that your shocks will degrade a little quicker, but not by a lot.
__________________
2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV
tjlazer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2012, 05:47 PM   #7 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Waiz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 9,262
Drives: Z33 & GE8
Rep Power: 459
Waiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond reputeWaiz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ-NISMO View Post
All,

I installed my Swifts 13 months ago, and until recently everything was smooth and fine. After about 12,000 miles on them, I have started to notice that if I am at high speed, such as highway driving, if I hit a bump or ridge, the shocks compress "harder" than they used to and I hear a sound like air being pushed out of them. Any thoughts?

My fear is that the struts are beginning to go. Swift ensured me that everything would be fine and that they designed the springs for the 370z, but I wonder if the increased stiffness is reducing the life of the stock struts significantly. If the struts are going, what can I do?

I have the Nismo. Swifts, with rear SPL camber kit. I live in Orange County in case it helps with road condition questions.

Thanks for any help.
The OEM shocks are valved for the OEM setup, 12,000 is not that early for them to fail after using the Swifts.

I would recommend picking up a set of Koni yellows shocks or Tanabe Sustec Coilovers and you should be able to notice the difference right away
Waiz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2012, 05:44 AM   #8 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Telephone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 297
Drives: 2012 Sport M6
Rep Power: 14
Telephone is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ-NISMO View Post
All,

I installed my Swifts 13 months ago, and until recently everything was smooth and fine. After about 12,000 miles on them, I have started to notice that if I am at high speed, such as highway driving, if I hit a bump or ridge, the shocks compress "harder" than they used to and I hear a sound like air being pushed out of them. Any thoughts?

My fear is that the struts are beginning to go. Swift ensured me that everything would be fine and that they designed the springs for the 370z, but I wonder if the increased stiffness is reducing the life of the stock struts significantly. If the struts are going, what can I do?

I have the Nismo. Swifts, with rear SPL camber kit. I live in Orange County in case it helps with road condition questions.

Thanks for any help.
You've driven 12,000 miles after installing Swifts, or you have 12,000 miles on the stock shocks todal? How many miles total are on the shocks?
Telephone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2012, 09:12 AM   #9 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
KaienZ34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LA. not L.a.
Posts: 21,652
Drives: Z34 Tour/Sport
Rep Power: 178
KaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond reputeKaienZ34 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Tire Rack has the Koni Yellows for pretty cheap right now....just saying
__________________
"These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends"

KaienZ34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2012, 09:32 AM   #10 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
cdoxp800's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 1,337
Drives: 2011 Nismo
Rep Power: 19
cdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud ofcdoxp800 has much to be proud of
Default

humm.. I have 8k on my same setup. I even track my car. I have zero issue..
__________________
2011 Brilliant Silver NISMO 370z. #: 0046.
PPE LTH | MillSpec Cats | F.I Exhaust | Akuma Intakes | Rotora 6/4 Brakes
cdoxp800 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2012, 10:49 PM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
christian370z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newport Beach
Posts: 3,900
Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se
Rep Power: 432
christian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond reputechristian370z has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I've had mine on for a year and 5,000 miles and they feel identical to when I first had the Swift springs installed. I've gone through canyons and driven through the horrible LA county roads and they are still doing great. *knock on wood*
__________________
-320whp / 259wftlbs-
SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob
christian370z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 12:31 PM   #12 (permalink)
The370Z.com Sponsor
 
370Ztune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,477
Drives: Z34 370Z
Rep Power: 46
370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute370Ztune has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I think you might have seen a failure that's out of the ordinary. However, I can say that I've seen brand new Nismo shocks fail before, so these types of things do happen from time to time, but it's definitely not the norm.
370Ztune is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
[FOR SALE] NISMO struts/springs pokeyl Parts for sale (Private Classifieds) 10 10-16-2011 11:25 AM
[WTB] Nismo Struts iridefast Parts for sale (Private Classifieds) 0 06-19-2011 07:38 AM
WTB: Front OEM Struts or Nismo Struts. litesky Wanted 1 10-27-2010 09:48 AM
WTB: Nismo springs and struts Jordo! Wanted 8 08-18-2010 10:59 PM
Nismo struts install cab83_750 Brakes & Suspension 25 02-14-2010 05:40 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2