CoastGuardZ

Zak- Nice to know I'm not alone in this one... look's like we might learn something. David- This had crossed my mind, just couldn't bring myself to grind on my only 14mm wrench, but this sounds like my best option now- thanks. webdawg- This is in regards to the outboard nuts (by the wheel). I'll definately grind a wrench down because I've already destroyed a couple nuts through impatience. Thanks fellas- Nate

Yup, so here it is nearly June and I still haven't driven my Z yet this year! I'm in the process of replacing the Struts, Springs and Bushings. Good news is that the Front is Finished... Yay!!! Not hard at all. Everything came apart easy and went back together easily. The Rear is another story. The transverse link pins were giving me a fit so I decided I would just do the struts and springs and hold off on the bushings so I could get at least a month of driving in before the snow starts falling again. Now the problem is that I can't get the darn nuts off the halfshafts/axles/driveshafts. What gives? The ONLY tool that fits on them is an open end 14mm wrench. Not a socket, box end or even flare nut wrench will fit. I was able to break one lose by hooking another wrench over the first and with enough force... succesfully skined a knuckle too:hurt: . Broke another lose by squeezing a sawzall in there and cutting the lock washer... not easy. I have been soaking them with PB Blaster and have even applied heat to no avail. Any other ideas folks? I really really really want to drive my Z again, especially with this brand spankin' new suspension.

Stephen, Yuppie: Young Urban Professional. Enough money to buy anything and young enough to still be a pompous @ss. Nate

Come on Sarge, Just as soon as an economy car can comfortably fit two adults, at least one child safety seat, my 85 lb. Boxer, luggage and tow the Z I'll gladly trade my Pathfinder in on one. The SUV has nothing to do with price of gas. The SUV argument is just something for the tree hugging hippies to wizz and moan about. I could easily trade mine for a crew cab Titan and drop from 17-18 mpg to 14-15, but that's alright. The price of fuel is more to do with oil companies than automotive purchases. Just heard on NPR the other day that China's gov't is subsidising the cost gas so they're paying about $2 a gallon... although I'm not complaining, I doubt China is great place to live by any stretch of the imagination. They also had somebody in Germany talking about that they were paying around $6 a gallon, like our boys down under. So I guess it isn't tooooo bad here at $3.05! Then again, if we don't complain about the price "they" will just keep on jacking it up! On the Vespa comment... If anyone starts thinking of alternative modes of transportation, may I suggest a Kawasaki Ninja 250. It's Faster, Quicker, get's BETTER mpg than a Vespa and cost less too... just $2999 msrp Brand New. Mpg is in the neighborhood of 70! Because of the small bore insurance is cheaper than most bikes and unlike scooters /mopeds you can maintain the flow of traffic... a plus if you have a decent commute, mine is about 25 miles each way on secondary highways with a posted speed of 55mph. It's a far cry from my old Ninja 600 but it would serve the purpose. Nate

Yeah, I did the ball joints at the end of last summer. I'm going to order the bump stops and bearings... probably should order the rear spacers I'm sure they're toast too. Any other suggestions?

Dave I think you're right with the replace them both strategy... just kinda sucks, I haven't got to drive it yet since the snow melted and the salt washed away. Oh, well guess I'll have to wait another couple of weeks. Nate

There is a bearing also but it is between the mount insulator and spring seat. This is between the seat and the strut rod. Enigma seems to have it with the Bump stop. Now I'm curious how tall the original one is/was so that maybe I can pick a generic one up at Autozone or Advance, they usually carry some Energy Suspension stuff. Thanks again... I always love the quick response and outpouring of help. Nate

Alright y'all. I'm in the middle of swapping out my front struts (for Tokico HP's) and springs (Eibach). Once I got the whole deal apart I noticed that inside the Upper Spring Seat there is a red dusty residue which was aparently a bushing at one point in time. Does anyone know if this piece is readily available? It isn't a listed part in the MSA catalog, unless it's part of #23-4361 Spring Seat. Any advice? Thanks -Nate

I'll tell ya why basement isn't an option. Will is one of our southern red neck buddies and us from the south aren't used to basements. OTOH, I'm getting quite used to basements now and yes I have Z parts in Basement too. I do like the "I don't know what parts are spare parts until I get finished", seems to be quite fitting. Nate

Prox - I'm disappointed bro. I've got a couple of pictures in my gallery of Gunmetal Grey Panasports on an Orange Z. I took them at the '05 National Show. Enjoy... http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=16884&cat=500&ppuser=2476 Nate

Greenville, SC - go figure. Being a native of SC I wish I could say that garbage like this is rare... but unfortunately it is all too common. So I'd just like to take this time to appologize for the all the automotive wrongs that come from my beloved home state :disappoin

I used Dependable Auto Shippers, and they got it from CA to SC for $680... I was very pleased with the outcome and they're website allows you to track the car on it's journey... www.dasautoshippers.com Nate

Bill, I had mine shipped from So Cal to South Carolina for $600 and was very pleased with the service, although mine was running when it left Cali but when she arrived the Battery was dead (underhood light somehow got turned on), nothing a set of jumper cables couldn't fix. Or you can go ahead and save the hotel money and just sleep in the truck, or a KOA. Options man options. You're still young, gotta make the most of it while you can still enjoy it -Nate

My buddy Charlie never likes to hear such saddening news. In the meantime make the best out of the time ya'll have got left. Nate:(

Amen, on that one beandip! The wife and I sold her Integra awhile back, and I still think we let it go too cheap. This really looks like I real cherry, and she's orange too I would've loved the oppurtunity to have seen how much she really would've gone for... I'm sure the seller needed the money, and the buyer got a hell of a deal. Nate

Stick a fork in it, this threads done.

Alan, Thanks a lot for your educated and well delivered pronunciation. I knew I was bound to get some good info from you as always! It's always a delight to read your responses with your rather eloquent use of the (our?) English language, even when it's in Japanese. Like Alfa, I'm quite content knowing how to almost say it, and you've put me that much closer. Also, the wife and I are planning a trip to the isle's this summer and London is on our itenerary. The dates are not final yet, are there any car related events I should plan around? Maybe we can get together for a pint of something British, Boddingtons maybe? I'll PM you when I get more info. Nate

Alan or Sakijo - Could one of you two please post an english pronunciation for Japanese that you previously posted? And if you could do the same for Datsun, that would be great. Thanks. Nate

Ah, Vic. Forgot about the thermos'. One of the many versions of Nissan History I've been told was that Nissan was originally a Textile company and got involved with autos when they acquired Datsun and that the textile company still exsist and hence the partnership with Thermos brand thermos for the unique Vacuum sealed products... by the way do you own one? I have the 18oz cup and it's amazing at keeping coffee hot for hours. I'm inclined to believe some if not all of the story though, because Nissan is written the same way, I would think that to be a copyright infringement if it wasn't the same company. Nate

I know over here in the states the common pronunciation is Knee-san (as in -san rhymes with on). Is this correct? I can't say. I've heard Knee-san (-san like sand w/o the d) and I've heard Niz-an. Hmmm. How about Datsun? I say Dot-sun, but I've also heard Dat-sun. Hmmm. Nate

Howdy and Welcome Wingnut! I happen to have a L28 laying around and live nowhere near you and wouldn't part with it anyway, I have my own plans Jagnew- Ben (v12horse) is running Watanabe's... very sweet and very japanese. Many wheels are similar such as Konig rewinds, Panasport and Mini Lites... but nothing is quite as cool as the Wats. Welcome to both of you. Nate

Ron - I envy you! Sweet Z - sweet photo shoot. Women love you and Men want to be you! Nate