Hi, I've just pulled out my TEIN suspension mounts to replace with new factory rubber parts.....not without problems but now after waiting 3 weeks for a part to arrive, I've dropped the car onto the ground and noticed that the shaft of the shock (KYB) pokes up fair bit. Does this look correct? (sorry for the blurred pictures) Should they poke up that far? As the old TEIN stuff was rose jointed etc I also ordered new Nissan nut (as I was told that was all I needed) but the factory nut only screws onto the first part of the shaft: Now obviously this is wrong, but what am I supposed to do? Put 3 or 4 nuts onto the shock....and do what with the factory one? I don't really see the point of the factory nut that only screws onto the very top. Also, does anyone know how many washes I'm supposed to use? If I'm reading the parts manual correctly I should use 2 washes. Thanks for your help Cheers Mark
That looks right to me. The nut is crimped a little at the top to prevent it coming un-done, so you will not be able to screw it all the way on by hand. There is only one washer used on the strut top.
That WAS using a socket, and not by hand When I took a closer look it seemed like the shaft tapers out at the point where the factory nut won't go on any further. I tried a slightly larger nut and it screwed on fine (and was tight) so wasn't sure if there were two difference sizes I had to use... Sorry, I do realise these are basic questions that I should know, but I've not had a Z with factory suspension and this current one with the rose jointed TEIN setup is completely different. I'll try being a bit more forceful with it when I get home tonight. Thanks for your help. Cheers Mark
That is an KYB shocker and the nuts for the top come with them. You should use those. That one is sticking out about as much as mine. How come you didnt get them Mark?
I did But I think they got chucked when I moved house at Christmas time. I contacted Coz and asked him if they had special nuts etc but he said no, they are identical to the factory ones.....so it seems like he might be wrong? This whole thing has been a royal PITA. I ordered the factory kit (top mounts etc) from Coz ages ago, pulled the car apart and then found out that the very top metal bracket doesn't come with the kit and my car didn't have them fitted as the TEIN tops don't need it. Went to order new ones from Nissan but was told they had to come from Japan and would be anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. Contacted Coz and asked him to check if Nissan US had them in stock and if he could get them shipped within a few days and sent Express to me (at 3 x the price as normal). That was over 3 weeks ago and they only turned up yesterday afternoon! So I could have got them from Nissan Australia in the same time (or shorter) timeframe, for less money. Anyway, rant over now Cheers Mark
from memory the KYB shcokers have flats machined onto the sides of the threaded shaft. You are supposed to hold them there with a spanner while you tighten down the castelated nut. The nissan nuts are castelated. I think the KYB nuts are not. they are a different shape thats for sure. The KYB nuts are not tapered at the top like those. Also i think they supply 2 nuts per tower, One as a lock nut. Seems odd that you can only screw them down that far before they go tight. Not sure why. Pity my car isnt here. I would take a pic for you as i have them on my car. If I get a sec I will try to get one for you. I can vaguley remember running the nut down with a rattle gun. BUT you are supposed to have done this with the shocker assembly out of the car before its fitted. The bottom held in a vice while you assemble it.
I suggest getting some verniers or micrometer onto the threaded section to see if it really is tappered. If it isnt then the nut most probably has the wrong thread pitch (ie supplied with the wrong nuts)
graham is correct, there are 2 nuts on the top of the shock. there is a pic in the tech section in the product review section.
