DIY: 370Z Lowering Spring Install

cubbies1031 · 08-09-2012, 12:41 AM

Used an air impact and it completely rounded the lower strut nut bolted to the sway bar link. Any way to get it off without an air chisel?

bluenoser · 08-09-2012, 02:25 PM

For the fronts, is loosening (and tightening) the top nut while the shock is still installed a bad idea? Is there enough movement in the front suspension to install the shock + spring + top hat uncompressed? If so, the spring can be compressed with a floor jack and everything torqued down in place. This would basically use the weight of the vehicle as a spring compressor. I've done this in the past with other vehicles and it worked great. I don't really trust spring compressors...

Z-it-right · 08-15-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemsonWill

After some searching I was able to put the information together.

Use this thread to read the diagrams

Torque Specs

And this link for the service manual if you don't want to download it.

Index of /FSM/370Z/Coupe

You just have to sift through the pages to find the specs you are looking for.

Hope this helps!

Print off the FSU.pdf and RSU.pdf on that link whn you do the install.

eastwest2300 · 08-21-2012, 03:32 AM

Gonna be doing this mod hopefully this week, I'll post up how the experience goes!

speedfreek · 09-09-2012, 11:31 PM

Has anyone ran into an issue trying to remove the 19mm lower control arm bolt? I had no issue on the driver side but the passenger side does not want to budge. I let it soak in PB blaster and using a breaker bar. The driver side came off easy so I am guessing Godzilla himself torqued the passenger side down. Any help would be appreciated. If nothing else probably going to have to cut it off at this point.

OMGiGOTaZ · 09-09-2012, 11:46 PM

Are springs themselves worth all this trouble?

bluenoser · 09-10-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedfreek

Has anyone ran into an issue trying to remove the 19mm lower control arm bolt? I had no issue on the driver side but the passenger side does not want to budge. I let it soak in PB blaster and using a breaker bar. The driver side came off easy so I am guessing Godzilla himself torqued the passenger side down. Any help would be appreciated. If nothing else probably going to have to cut it off at this point.

I had the exact same problem on the passenger side. Godzilla must have assembled my passenger side suspension too. The torque spec for this bolt is high (120ft-lbs if I remember correctly) but it's on there much tighter than that from the factory. Or maybe there's thread locker....

Anyway, get a good 6-pt socket with at least 1/2" drive, a 24" breaker bar, and a propane torch. Hit the nut with the torch to heat it up, then make sure the socket is on the nut properly and pull as hard as you can. It will make a very loud crack when it lets go and it will sound like you broke everything. Make sure you don't slam the breaker bar into your fender when it lets go....

You could also use an impact gun if you have access to one. I didn't when I did this but I wish I did.

TypeOne · 09-10-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMGiGOTaZ

Are springs themselves worth all this trouble?

It depends on what you want out of your car.

I ended up going with coils, but I bought springs because I got an awesome deal. Not to mention, if you aren't tracking or trying to slam you car, springs are probably the best choice.

I loved the way my car used to ride. hahahhahaha

ERZperformance · 09-10-2012, 06:22 PM

It doesnt seem like it lower your vehicle by too much compare to stock. But then that's what Tein Spring are known for. Do you have a picture of after it was installed from far away?

TypeOne · 09-11-2012, 12:37 PM

There are TONS of different spring makes out there...

TEIN
Swift
Eibach
H&R
Megan Racing

ect...

Tein lowering springs:

Only picture that I've got without coils.

bvdawg13 · 09-16-2012, 01:29 PM

Just installed swift springs. Took about 3 1/2-4 hrs. Easy install everything went smoothly. I wouldn't recommend it without air tools though. Trying to compress the springs by hand would be a b*tch.

yellogixxer · 09-16-2012, 07:10 PM

Did my Swift spring install yesterday. No air tools, so I took the strut assembly to the local Mr Tire and they changed the springs out for me for $70 bucks. Well worth it, in my opinion. Thanks for the write up. Rep +1.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

OMGiGOTaZ · 09-16-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellogixxer

Did my Swift spring install yesterday. No air tools, so I took the strut assembly to the local Mr Tire and they changed the springs out for me for $70 bucks. Well worth it, in my opinion. Thanks for the write up. Rep +1.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Looking Nice!

Have you driven it much yet? Ride Comfort?

yellogixxer · 09-17-2012, 04:38 PM

I've driven it a bit. The ride is very comparable to what it was with stock springs. Surprisingly, it's no more harsh than it was. I haven't done a spirited mountain run yet though, because I want to get it aligned first., just basic tooling around town so far.
I'm pleased with it.

OMGiGOTaZ · 09-17-2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellogixxer

I've driven it a bit. The ride is very comparable to what it was with stock springs. Surprisingly, it's no more harsh than it was. I haven't done a spirited mountain run yet though, because I want to get it aligned first., just basic tooling around town so far.
I'm pleased with it.

Looks sweet, the Wife says she can't tell enough, but I'm considering it, I think it looks Perfect the way your wheels fill almost to the fender now, I wonder if it well settle any.

08-21-2012, 03:32 AM	#79 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,968 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	Gonna be doing this mod hopefully this week, I'll post up how the experience goes! __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

09-09-2012, 11:31 PM	#80 (permalink)
speedfreek A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Huntsville,AL Posts: 1,724 Drives: '12 370Z PW 6sp Rep Power: 18	Has anyone ran into an issue trying to remove the 19mm lower control arm bolt? I had no issue on the driver side but the passenger side does not want to budge. I let it soak in PB blaster and using a breaker bar. The driver side came off easy so I am guessing Godzilla himself torqued the passenger side down. Any help would be appreciated. If nothing else probably going to have to cut it off at this point. __________________ Tomei\|Berk\|Takeda\|ZSpeed\|Fortune Auto\|Swift\|Eibach\|SPL\|Carbotech\|Motul\|Powertrix\|Stillen\|Aerojacket\|Z1\|Forgestar\|Enkei\|Project Kics\|Nismo Ti\|Llumar speedfreek's journal

09-09-2012, 11:46 PM	#81 (permalink)
OMGiGOTaZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 316 Drives: 12 370Z Auto Sport Rep Power: 13	Are springs themselves worth all this trouble? __________________ all you gotta do is...

09-10-2012, 06:22 PM	#84 (permalink)
ERZperformance A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hayward Posts: 3,015 Drives: Nissan GTR Rep Power: 22	It doesnt seem like it lower your vehicle by too much compare to stock. But then that's what Tein Spring are known for. Do you have a picture of after it was installed from far away? __________________ http://www.cntracing.com http://www.ERZperformance.com 800-363-8599

09-16-2012, 07:10 PM	#87 (permalink)
yellogixxer Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Reading, Pa Posts: 248 Drives: 07 C6 M6 Cpe Rep Power: 13	Did my Swift spring install yesterday. No air tools, so I took the strut assembly to the local Mr Tire and they changed the springs out for me for $70 bucks. Well worth it, in my opinion. Thanks for the write up. Rep +1. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ '07 C6 6MT Coupe 03 Accord, DD, 400k miles

08-09-2012, 12:41 AM	#76 (permalink)
cubbies1031 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: nashville Posts: 54 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 13	Used an air impact and it completely rounded the lower strut nut bolted to the sway bar link. Any way to get it off without an air chisel?

08-09-2012, 02:25 PM	#77 (permalink)
bluenoser Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 75 Drives: 11 370Z SP KAD 6MT Rep Power: 14	For the fronts, is loosening (and tightening) the top nut while the shock is still installed a bad idea? Is there enough movement in the front suspension to install the shock + spring + top hat uncompressed? If so, the spring can be compressed with a floor jack and everything torqued down in place. This would basically use the weight of the vehicle as a spring compressor. I've done this in the past with other vehicles and it worked great. I don't really trust spring compressors...

09-11-2012, 12:37 PM	#85 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	There are TONS of different spring makes out there... TEIN Swift Eibach H&R Megan Racing ect... Tein lowering springs: Only picture that I've got without coils.

09-16-2012, 01:29 PM	#86 (permalink)
bvdawg13 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 48 Drives: 2018 370Z Nizzy Rep Power: 13	Just installed swift springs. Took about 3 1/2-4 hrs. Easy install everything went smoothly. I wouldn't recommend it without air tools though. Trying to compress the springs by hand would be a b*tch.

09-17-2012, 04:38 PM	#89 (permalink)
yellogixxer Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Reading, Pa Posts: 248 Drives: 07 C6 M6 Cpe Rep Power: 13	I've driven it a bit. The ride is very comparable to what it was with stock springs. Surprisingly, it's no more harsh than it was. I haven't done a spirited mountain run yet though, because I want to get it aligned first., just basic tooling around town so far. I'm pleased with it. __________________ '07 C6 6MT Coupe 03 Accord, DD, 400k miles

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