Heya, I must be really bored today, because I decided to write about some weights of various parts of the suspension of my '83 280ZX. I suppose it's not altogether idle, because this stuff plays an important part in determining the unsprung weight of your Z.
Anyways, here it goes:
Rear suspension arm: 29 pounds.
This is for a single suspension arm, together with axle components ( i.e. stub axle, companion flange and bearings, installed. ) along with brake tube and bushings. ( No other brake components, however. ) Gee, I just happened to have one leaning against the wall in my office.
Rear rotor: 8.9 pounds, in new condition.
( I like to keep spares around. )
Rear brake caliper: 6.9 pounds.
This is in new condition, with all hardware and including new pads.
Wheel and tire: I'm too lazy to take it off and measure it right now.
Stock rear spring: 5.8 pounds.
( This is in uncut condition. )
Rear shock absorber: 5.7 pounds.
This is for a Monroe gas shock, with all ancillaries and mounting hardware. ( One of the Monroes I pulled off my rear end earlier this year when I put on the Illuminas. ) Other shocks should be roughly comparable.
Tension rod: 2.5 pounds.
This includes bushings and mounting hardware.
Front strut assembly: 59 pounds.
This is for a complete front strut assembly in average condition: it includes the strut, knuckle, ball joint, transverse link, OEM shock and spring, mounting insulator, hub, caliper, pads and rotor, etc., and all mounting hardware. Basically what you would pull whole off the vehicle if you were to detach the tie rod, brake hose, and top strut mount, then remove the tension rod, and the transverse link from its inner mounting, and just pull the rest of the suspension out. ( Hey, I keep a spare front end around, wanna make somethin' of it? :^) )
So what does YOUR suspension weigh?
Doug Dawson
dawson@physics.utexas.edu
Anyways, here it goes:
Rear suspension arm: 29 pounds.
This is for a single suspension arm, together with axle components ( i.e. stub axle, companion flange and bearings, installed. ) along with brake tube and bushings. ( No other brake components, however. ) Gee, I just happened to have one leaning against the wall in my office.
Rear rotor: 8.9 pounds, in new condition.
( I like to keep spares around. )
Rear brake caliper: 6.9 pounds.
This is in new condition, with all hardware and including new pads.
Wheel and tire: I'm too lazy to take it off and measure it right now.
Stock rear spring: 5.8 pounds.
( This is in uncut condition. )
Rear shock absorber: 5.7 pounds.
This is for a Monroe gas shock, with all ancillaries and mounting hardware. ( One of the Monroes I pulled off my rear end earlier this year when I put on the Illuminas. ) Other shocks should be roughly comparable.
Tension rod: 2.5 pounds.
This includes bushings and mounting hardware.
Front strut assembly: 59 pounds.
This is for a complete front strut assembly in average condition: it includes the strut, knuckle, ball joint, transverse link, OEM shock and spring, mounting insulator, hub, caliper, pads and rotor, etc., and all mounting hardware. Basically what you would pull whole off the vehicle if you were to detach the tie rod, brake hose, and top strut mount, then remove the tension rod, and the transverse link from its inner mounting, and just pull the rest of the suspension out. ( Hey, I keep a spare front end around, wanna make somethin' of it? :^) )
So what does YOUR suspension weigh?
Doug Dawson
dawson@physics.utexas.edu