[illushynZXT]

Hey peeps. I *still* havent been able to find the source of the brake light problem yet.. and wouldnt ya know it, as Dixie Regions Allies vs Axis event is two weeks away (actually less!), something else comes up!

Here's the deal with this one.. I enter a corner, primarily to the left but also occasionally to the right, and I hit the slightest bump, and it feels like my outside rear wheel is "hopping" through the corner. It makes a horrible noise inside the car..like the whole ass end is about to fall out. I would experiment a little more with it, but I'm afraid of spinning out and ending up on the other side of the road upside down in a tree. So it does feel like I lose traction and hop around in the 50mph curves I've tested it in. Anybody have any ideas on this? I read a post from a 240 owner and his problems sound just like mine. His post is here.

Any ideas are appreciated. I would like to be able to resolve this quickly and cheaply before the big autocross.

-il82

 

[illushynZXT]

oh yes..BTW

Thought I would clarify.. this problem just started out of the blue about a week ago. I dont experience any clunk in the rear end, so I dont think it could be the differential mount..but hey, anything is possible. The bounce occurs primarily in turns to the left, and less to the right. If you could tell me possible things to check out, and how to check, you too can behold the good feeling of helping out a poor college student that desperately wants to keep his Z alive.

-il82

 

[hotroder]

brake light problem

The problem to me doesn't sound like electrical short
it sounds like a bad vacuum check valve at the booster.
Your only supposed to get vacuum to the booster, if your getting boost there it will turn your brake light on.
i dont know where it is on the datsuns but on chevrolets its the plastis nipple that the vacuum hose goes to on the booster.
but it could be in the booster line somewhere, or in the booster itself.



mike

 

[John Coffey]

Check the following:

1. Check the air pressures on all 4 tires.

2. Check the lugs nuts on all 4 wheels. Make sure they are torqued to spec.

3. Make sure ALL the suspension and driveline mounting bolts are tight. Crawl under the car with a torque wrench and check EVERY nut and bolt you can get to on the front and rear of the car. Then use a box wrench to check all the other nuts and bolts.

4. Look for any broken, cracked, or bent suspension and driveline components.

5. Look at all the suspension bushings and driveline mounts (you'll have to remove parts) and make sure all are in perfect condition. Check all four upper spring isolators and mounts.

6. Pull both rear shocks and make sure they are good.

- John

 

[kc280zx]

i was having a similar problem, it bounced sometimes in a turn, either direction. ne ways i put new shocks on and havent had a problem since. i went with the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks.

 

[Matt 78Z]

Get new struts

Check everything as John said. Make sure to look at where the rear crossemember bolts to the body, it should have no play.

Matt

 

[Dan Baldwin]

check the gland nut

At the top of the strut housing, there's a huge nut,through which the shock tube protrudes. Mine had backed all the way off once(!), and I had a lot of movement at that corner. Cheap easy fix if that's the prob.

Dan Baldwin
'71 240Z 3.1
COMSCC #7 SPB

 

[jeffp]

The problem sounds like a schock problem to me also, but do as John said just to make sure nothing is broken. The zx cars dont have the greatest rear suspension, but you can deal with the problem with new schocks, and I suggest new better springs also.
I got tokico adjustables and set them to setting 5 and I also got suspension techniques springs and have solved 90% of my wheel hop problems in corners and during burnouts.
The car still squats a little, but I have a possible fix for that also. I just haven't done the research and instaled the parts to stop it from happening. I do know there was a company that did work on the rear cross member to the car to stop the squat problem, but they are now out of business. I have one other chance to find out what was done to the car by getting the name of the guy that had the shop and just calling him and asking what they did to fix the problem, but that is a long shot. I will try tho and see what I can come up with.