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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

could both passenger side front and rear strut / shocks be defective ?

Old Aug 24, 2017 | 04:35 PM
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Default could both passenger side front and rear strut / shocks be defective ?

I have a 2003 touring z350 with 37000k summer miles. I was cleaning her up and noticed both mud flaps on passenger side appear to be scraped ? Is it possible strut /shocks are week and it bottoms out to scrape. Kind of strange though seems like it would be on top of wheel well if strut related not toward the rear mud flaps? Has anyone experienced this ? No other symptoms , just paint scraped off at wheel well rear or mud flap.
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Old Aug 24, 2017 | 05:38 PM
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To get help on your question... Post some Pictures.
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Old Aug 24, 2017 | 05:53 PM
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Anything is possible but..... I'd suspect a mean driveway or pothole or something on the road got run over on that side and nobody thought anything of it until just now.

But also likely, the shocks are toast and the above happened. You have to compress the springs pretty far for you to bottom like that and even stock springs with no shocks to control them won't compress them that far on anything short of a General Lee landing.
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Old Aug 25, 2017 | 09:04 AM
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Even though the mileage is low, those shocks and struts are pushing 15 years if they're OEM. It might be time to consider replacing them. Check the compression and rebound on them by pushing on the corners of the vehicle. If they're toast, you'll know soon enough.

Did you buy the car new or used? If used, it could have just been a former owner who curbed the car. Did you inspect the passenger side mudguard before you purchased the vehicle and did the damage happen after the purchase?

Last edited by zakmartin; Aug 25, 2017 at 09:08 AM.
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Old Aug 25, 2017 | 09:18 AM
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^^^

I was going to say, miles are only half the battle. None the less those shocks are old, rubbers and plastics break down.

Good suspect they are blown due to age. But I would also assume mud flaps are from a driveway or bump.
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Old Aug 26, 2017 | 09:36 AM
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Ok guys mystery solved . 1st keep in mind I don't get the time to drive the z often enough. I noticed what I incorrectly interpreted as tire scuff at top to rear of wheel well primarily in area of mud flap . I really thought it was blown seal on strut until I noticed the same on the rear . Anyway get this .... I'm guessing it was fresh enough white road striping paint ? Not positive but that's as close to explanation I can come to . It appeared like etched plastic. ,maybe like a 60 grit . I'm telling you until I really I got in there I never would of guessed . That stuff it tough though , was hard to remove. Maybe the city / state work crew pulled cones off the striping to early ? I haven't a clue what else could have this appearance . But hey it's fixed. Lol. I've had car for 3 years and 0 problems , this thing rocks....... sorry but thanks ideas / remarks.
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Old Aug 27, 2017 | 10:18 AM
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Another reason people should actually get hands on before posting SOS help me threads.
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