Strut deterioration is gradual, and it is impossible to remember what my car felt like when new. At 48,000 miles, I haven't the faintest idea if my original struts are as good as new. On other vehicles I replaced the struts at about 50,000 miles. The difference between the old and new struts is like night and day.

What about the 350Z? At 48,000 miles is it time to shop for new struts?

 

Time to go for a test drive a new Z and find out.

 

On my 1990 Q I've changed shocks every 4 years/~~60k........the rears tend to be more noticable first. 5 new sets in 311k.

The oem Tokico and the stiffer HP [blue] series seem to wear at the same rate.

Generally Infinit specs things so they last the 60k warrranty, but any way the bulk of the owners don't know what a weak shock feels like.

The early Q FSM actually had shock stiffness specs which like the alignment specs had a wide range but generally showed even a 60% weaker shock as in spec.............to reduce warranty costs.........these numbers were deleted in the mid 90's as a few people had them measured and demanded warranty compensation prior to 60k.

 

I would think it depends more on the type of driving, and the terrain you drive on, rather then just the mileage. That being said I had around 45k on my 03's stock struts before I replace them with coilovers, and I could not tell the difference between the ride on them and a friend's '05 Z with around 11k. So I think at 48k you still have some good life in them.

 

+1. Since no car is driven the same at any given time, there is really no way to gauge. One nasty pothole and you could blow a shock.

 

how long do aftermarket shocks usually last? say tein basics?

 

I don't think they will last longer just because they are aftermarket. I think OEM might outlast the Teins acutally. The aftermarket ones are generally stiffer and lower so they work harder can't picture them lasting any longer than OEM.

 

Aftermarkets might last longer if you don't need them on full stiff when they start out. If you have some room to adjust, it has been suggested that as the shock gets weaker, you can use the adjustment to keep it about the same, until the adjustment gets to full hard and it still is not hard enough.

Chris

 

+1 My JIC's at about 35K miles of wear feel like boucy $hit I hate them. $1800 down the tubes...

David, Id start researching a nice performance shock, and if you wish a nice set of springs

 

Bilstein and koni's both last better than OEM.

 

Sorry for the noob question, which structs are you talking about?

 

suspension shock absorbers

 

I've had mine for 70k miles and it still feels stiff and bouncy like when I bought it. I do feel more squat when accelerating. Maybe someone should post and indication of what would be the symptoms of the car when the dampers are non-optimal up.

 

hey David, did you end up getting new struts after all? I'm at 70,000 miles and I'm looking to do the same.

 

i got a set of 03 oem struts for sale. i replaced those with Tokico struts the first year i got my Z. Anyone interested can just pm me. 100bucks plus shipping....first come first served.

 

If there are no leaks then the only way that the service manual states to check suspension is by ride height. You have to measure from the ground to the center of the top of the wheelwell. If you're running stock suspension and wheel/tire combo and proper inflation then it might work. You must have spare/jack in place and fuel in the tank. Hope this helps.


225/50R17 (Front)
235/50R17 (Rear)
225/45R18 (Front)
245/45R18 (Rear)Coupe Coupe
Front (Hf) 681 mm (26.81 in) 683 mm (26.89 in)
Rear (Hr) 700 mm (27.56 in) 706 mm (27.80 in)

 

I think me getting thrashed around in my seat even on smooth roads is a good enough sign for me to get some replacements.

 

The only way to accurately test shocks is to use a shock dynometer because the springs mask the shock action.
Since shocks decline so slowly something like 1% per 500-1,000 miles and vary with temperature [the oil inside] changing them in winter is harsh compared to May.

http://www.roehrigengineering.com/techpgdynos.htm

Note the rebound is so much stiffer so the rebound is the first to go, easy to feel on rear, harder to feel on front.