Hey, does anybody know what Nissan changed in the suspension/axle/hub for the 04.5 model? Obviously the springs/struts/sway bars are different, but I'm talking about the other things. Right now I'm looking at buying a new right front spindle for my 03 due to the lower ball joint needing to be replaced (looks like the whole spindle has to be replaced on these cars for some reason and not just the joint), and Courtesy Nissan has different part numbers for 03-04 to 04.5-08, along with a drastic price difference. Are these years interchangable? What all was changed besides the spindle? I'm more curious than anything, because until now I had thought the only differences were the revised springs/struts/sway bars. Thanks in advance to anyone to provides information.

Here is a link to the diagram:

Part number 40014.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/350z-pa...5_800_801.html


Chris

 

200 views in this thread and no replys. 04s have been out for 5 years so far and nobody knows the answer to this yet? Gees....

 

The changes your talking about were discussed in a thread from PerformanceNissan when the 05 car's were just hitting the market. And that is the one and only instace that I know of that was ever discussed and even then all we know is that some parts were different.

It came up rather recently in this thread. Notice however, nothing is really said that really gives you any real info you can put in the bank.

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...-choose-2.html

Given the limited info about why the changes were done, stands to reason you'd have the "view" but no repies.

IMO since the other 04.5 changes were publically discussed by Nissan, these front suspension part changes were done in a effort to help with tire feathering issues and were not made public as to not talked about as to not fan the already blazing fire (tire feathering issues). Of course I have no proof, really just my opinion.

 

Thanks for the info and link Gsedan35. I guess I'll narrow down my question then to what I really need to know:

Will the 04.5+ steering knuckle work on an 03?

 

Or does anyone know how I could find out if it will fit?

 

Is this steering knuckle issue the great mystery of Z's? lol. It seems like nobody anywhere knows the answer...

 

Ok well since nobody seems to know, I did a little bit of research comparing part numbers to every single piece of the steering and suspension from 03's to 04.5's. The only different part numbers are for the steering knuckle (which is what this thread is about) and the lower control arm. So the question is....will the 03 lower control arm work with an 04.5 knuckle? Are they in fact "different"?

I'm assuming nobody knows that either so I don't know why I posted it, but I thought I'd just let the people know who were wondering what the changes are between the 2003-2004 to 2004.5-2009 350Z suspensions. The answer is: springs, shocks, sway bar, sway bar end links, and steering knuckle and lower control arm (even though the knuckle really isn't a suspension piece). Besides that, 03-09's are the same.

PS: I say 09's because I believe that even though the 370Z coupes are out, you can still order a new 2009 350Z Roadster, which will have the same suspension as other 350's.

 

Suspension rates were raised.

 

amazing how you started off practically begging people help you and you got all your information when you started searching and reading. wow, what a revelation!

 

Yup, well everyone already knows that the springs/struts/sway bars were upgraded. I was searching for the other things.

Haha, I figured as long as I have easy access to all the diagrams with part numbers that I would just see what ones didn't match between the 03 and 04.5 diagrams. But I still am searching for the answer to the lower control arm to steering knuckle compatibility issue!!

Maybe a shop on here has an 03 and an 04.5+ sitting around that they could take a glance at? I'd prefer not to take a chance on getting the newer one if it won't fit, or paying double for the older one if its the same thing. Any help with that would be much appreciated.

 

Anyone willing to help out?

If I don't find out if the 04.5-08 knuckle will fit on the 03 lower control arm I'm just gonna pay a million dollars for the 03 knuckle tomorrow

 

Ask Jim from turbo toys (www.turbo-toys.com). He deals with lots of 350z parts. He's also on this forum, I don't recall his name off-hand.

 

THANK YOU!!! I just gave Jim a call, and the lower ball joint itself is a different size on the 03's than on the 04.5+, therefor the lower control arm DOES in fact need to also be changed if you wanted to use an 04.5+ steering knuckle.

After finding that out, Jim told me that he even had an 03 passenger side knuckle in stock if I needed it, which I do. So I ordered it from him, saving me a whopping $268 as opposed to buying a new one, and that's including shipping from him!! What a nice guy and super knowledgable, I would definitely do business with him again. Thanks again mthreat for the contact!