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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

Hurts to drive my Z!

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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:38 PM
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Default Hurts to drive my Z!

Ok. I have read a few threads about the suspension ans how it tends to bounce a lot on the highway. I know this is a sports car and the suspension should be tight, but I have to get on the Interstate to get to and from work, and after the drive, my insides hurt from being bounced around. Has Nissan accepeted this problem? Do they have a fix? Does the warranty cover this?
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:44 PM
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:49 PM
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I'd say the fix for this is just to simply upgrade your suspension. What year is your Z?

Also, don't worry...you're not the only one. Check this long...thread out:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=bounce
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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without trying to sound like a ****, how is this a problem nissan needs to address. It is a sports car.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 01:58 PM
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It is a 03. I never said it was Nissan's problem, I was just asking if they ever accepted complaints as it being a problem they can or would fix.

I know it is a sports car, but I was wondering if it can be minimized.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:00 PM
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2004.5 Touring models have European suspensions. Much less suspension travel and their cornering abilities aren't reduced at all.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Amnbex
2004.5 Touring models have European suspensions. Much less suspension travel and their cornering abilities aren't reduced at all.
Roadster included?
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:21 PM
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Mine isnt bouncy at all, fairly stiff if anything.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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Replacing the springs with either the later 2004.5 and on spec or some aftermarket ones with a softer rear spring rate should do the trick. The only way Nissan will do it for you is if you pay them. As they see it, it's not a design flaw in the older ones, just a design enhancement in the newer ones.

Chris
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:38 PM
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Just put on a nice set of after market struts to eleminate the bounce. Cheap fix.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:47 PM
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Anyone have a recomendation on an aftermarket strut that I can use?
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 03:00 PM
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Hmmm I haven't felt any bouncing!!!
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 04:22 PM
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The ride in the Zzzz is heavily dependent on the roads. In Cali 95% of the roads I drive are fine. But when I get on some pavement, up near the Donner Summit for example, where roads are torn up by snow/ice the ride is pathetic. If the ride was like that all the time, I'd have dropped the Z a long time back.

Penguin, from what I've read the answer is Koni adjustable shocks & Eiback(SP?) springs.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 06:53 PM
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How long have you had your car? I complained at first, but at 11K I don't notice it anymore, and I've taken some long road trips. I've heard that the Corvette is much worse. We own a sportscar, not a luxury sedan!
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 06:45 AM
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Get Tein Basic Coilovers, it's softer ride and will cost you $800, much cheaper than selling the Z.

Or if you have the money get HKS hypermax II, it can go really soft.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 06:57 AM
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I had an 03 and now an 05. They def. changed something, it rides a lot better, well at least I think they did, lol!
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 07:12 AM
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Whenever I start to get slightly annoyed at the bouncy, stiff ride, I just whip around a few corners. That's a good reminder about why we all put up with the bounce.

This car was not designed to be a commuter car. It craves the curves - that's the only place EVERYTHING comes together.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 07:33 AM
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Sometimes when i drive my ***** bounce around on the seat and they hurt after. Is Nissan at fault?
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 07:57 AM
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I recommend the Eibach pro-kit springs. The stock springs in the Z are a linear rate spring, meaning it takes a consistent amount of pressure to compress them throughout their range. The Eibachs are a progressive rate spring so they are fairly soft at first, then they stiffen up the more you compress them. What this leads to is much less "bounce" because as the spring decompresses, it pushes with less and less force, so it returns to it's resting state much more smoothly than the stock springs. I would imagine that new struts, maybe with a slower return rate would help too, but start with springs. The Eibachs are only about $250, and if you have basic tools and a little patience, you can install them yourself in a few hours. Good luck.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Penguin
Ok. I have read a few threads about the suspension ans how it tends to bounce a lot on the highway. I know this is a sports car and the suspension should be tight, but I have to get on the Interstate to get to and from work, and after the drive, my insides hurt from being bounced around. Has Nissan accepeted this problem? Do they have a fix? Does the warranty cover this?
The problem is the Z shocks are horrible on anything less than a perfectly flat road. Yes the warranty will cover this but Nissan can't fix it because their fix will be to replace the old crappy shocks with new crappy shocks. I hated the bouncing in my Z and to get rid of it first tried replacing the springs, that helped a little but didn't stop the bouncing. Installed the Konis and the difference in ride quality was like night and day, huge improvement and no more bouncing.

You're lucky because now there are many good shocks available to choose from, when my Z was new nobody had come out with Z shocks yet so I had to live with the lousy bouncing for over a year while I waited for the Konis but what a difference they make. If you can afford them do yourself a favor and get the Konis, you'll love the ride and the bounce will be gone.
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