Hit 95,000 on my 2007 350z. Live in Southern California.

I've never replaced the shocks, but the car rolls. I can feel the rear popping up on turns. Especially happens when driving faster and turning...the car sways making it feel quite unstable.

I was thinking about the following as potential replacement shocks:

(*) Koni Yellows
(*) KYB GR2 - some say these are preety bad, but econimal
(*) TOKICO’s HP Series – the famous “Blue Shock” - heard these are good shocks?
(*) Bilstein - in the past I always heard good things about them?

Anyway, I was thinkg about the Tokico HP shocks since Tokico makes the OEM ones?

Thoughts?

 

Whats your budget? Would you consider a adjustable suspension? I suggest for an excellent replacement and excellent quality you should consider Tein Basis. You can maintain ride height and enjoy smooth dampening. I've run different Tein setups for over 12 years on the street and racing and thoroughly support them.

 

Can you provide more details on what type I would buy for a 2007 350z?

According to this, it doesn't seem to be an option for me:

http://www.tein.com/products/basic_price_list.html

And what benefits are they over a standard replacement shock?

 

There are a few benefits.
1. Less body roll (slightly higher spring rate)

2. Adjustable shock height

3. superior dampening (smoother stroke no harshness)

4. Rebuildable ($75 to rebuild each damper). (I have 85K on my basics and they are going to go for a rebuild even though they are NOT worn out)

5. Superior quality.

You should really take a ride in a Z with some good coil overs. It is the most effective mod one can do to a car.

 

They are OK, not close to superior performance. Adjustable shock height, not on basics. $75 rebuild, not bad, but other superior shocks offer a lifetime warranty.

 

sub

 

1. They have adjustable shock height on the basics.

http://www.vr-speed.com/tein-03-07-g...FZSY4AodCQoAEQ

2. Its not about some hacked "lifetime warranty". A lifetime warranty doesnt cover "the dampening is flat and they are work out so i need a rebuild". A lifetime warranty overs blown out shocks etc......

If you are going to say other shocks are superior for this price range (Not moton, bilstein pss10 etc) then you should give him some assistance in picking a good set.

 

1. Adjustable ride height thru preload, adjustable shock height is something different. You should probably know things like this since you are trying to give advice.

2. Koni, Bilstien , Tokico and KYB

 

What about the D-specs?

 

Thanks for all your responses!

So I picked up my 350z from AutoNation South Bay Nissan (aka Power Nissan South Bay) in the LA area after taking it in to get the spark plugs changed and asked for a quote on the shock repair...

Here's the results:

1) Tire Sensor Bad on the left rear - result is the tire sensor light indicator always being on. The cost to fix this is 273.30 @ 1 hours of labor.

2) Front shocks - To get them replaced it is $570 in parts (stock originals), $390 in labor @ 3 hours of total work.

3) Rear shocks - $397.92 in parts (stock originals), $390 in labor @ 3 hours of total work.

4) Rear brakes low - $320 to fix.

It cost me already $500+ just to get the spark plugs changed.

Does this seem about right? To replace Front and Rear shocks it will take a total of 6 hours for professionals to replace it? Seems like the labor is a bit high for me. For professionals who have all the tools, skills, and shop to do this...I have a hard time believing it takes 6 hours! But I don't know...it's why I am asking to see what others think. Or if it does take 6 hours.... that's essentially $130 an hour in labor.

If I went ahead and just did the 4 things above, it would cost me $2341.22 . Seems like I can get a better deal somewhere else. But again, that's why I am asking to see what others experiences have been?

 

It's fairly simple to do yourself. Even if your not mechanically inclined; just watch a couple vids on youtube and you would be surprised how easy it is. It's realistically a 1 hr job if you have a lift, 2 max if your using hand tools/jack. For what they are charging in parts you might as well get aftermarket/performance shocks and springs. Hell, I'll sell you TC Kline d/a Koni's and Nismo T2's for a little more then what they want for stockers. But at the very least do ots konis and your choice of springs, it will be superior to stock.

 

That's why you go to independent mechanics and not dealerships if you don't want to DIY.

 

Tokico D spec on my daily driven Z, theyr amazing and I love being able to adjust the dampening, bought them used w less than 1k miles on them for 350$ and my buddy(mechanic) did the install for 100 , been having the shocks for about 6k miles and so far so good

 

Ok, now I'm just a few miles over 100,000 miles on my 2007 350z since my first question back in August of 2013.

I'm trying to move forward on choosing replacements shocks and struts for my Z. I'm to blame for putting this off for a few months where I should just get this fixed.

According to someone else, they said that a Z does NOT have struts, only shocks:

https://my350z.com/forum/8626674-post14.html

Yet, after talking to auto shop that replaces shocks/struts for the Z, he was saying that the front has struts and the rear has shocks? So i'm confused! Does the Z have struts or only shocks?

When speaking with the auto shop, I was asking what they recommend for a replacement for my struts/shocks that have gone bad. I suggested to them that I was interested in Tokico D spec shocks/struts as others have mentioned here. He refers to them as "coil overs". What is that? He got all excited about how how it's a "lowering" kit. That sort of surprised me as I wasn't necessarily looking to lower my car. I suppose the Tokico D speck shocks/struts allow you to adjust the dampening which is a NICE thing to do. But, I am not trying to lower my car necessarily anymore than it is now (unless someone convinced me it was the ultimate thing to do). I don't mind the ride height as it is right now as stock except for the fact that he current stock/struts are shot.

Right now, the shocks/struts are so bad that the suspension feels real shot. It's horrible to drive my car. The car sways. The car feels very unstable around turns. It's just not like the same car when I bought her new. So I can see the change from a worn out suspension and the effect it has on drive-ability and stability of the car. I want to bring the suspession back to original performance.

I know I'm going to replace my shocks/struts so I thought I would replace them with something that perhaps is better than stock. But if replacing my struts/shocks with Tokico D spec's means lowering my car, then I'm not sure if that's for me.

Questions:

Perhaps someone can explain why the Tokico D spec's are coil over's or why it's known as a lowering kit? Or what should I be asking for?

The suggestion by them was 3 options:

1. Order the stock struts/shocks from the dealership and replace them. Very cheap option!
   
2. Order the Tokico D spec's, but that means possibly lower my car? Shorter springs? I don't get it.
   
3. Order the Billstein kit (most expensive) but it seems that it would at least not lower my car.

Thoughts?

 

If you just want to fix your current problem as apposed to modifying/ "upgrading" your suspension.....

I recommend a set of Bilstein HD shocks for a good combo of ride and handling, or a set of Koni "yellow" sport shocks for improved handling at the expense of some ride quality.

I have used the Bilstein HD's on our Magnum RT and my Father-in-law's C6 Corvette. Both applications resulted in improved ride AND improved handling. (slightly)They were inexpensive for both cars (the C6 Corvette HD's were ~$90 each) I have no Idea why they are >$200 for the fronts on a Z. The Koni's are actually on special and cheaper than the HD's at the moment. (at tirerack)

Koni's would be more of an upgrade (handling wise anyway)
I use Koni sport shocks (aka Koni yellows) on my Z which I track regularly. They improve handling by a significant margin, but the ride does suffer a bit. (even on softer settings).

No direct experience with D-specs that I can recall.

And the Z has 4 shocks. The fronts resemble struts but they are just shocks with springs over them.

 

Ok, so 350 Z's do NOT have struts! Thanks for clarifying.

So you recommend Koni Yello's or the Bilstein HD's. Right now, I'm still on my original stock shocks and springs when I bought my car new in 2007. A question I have (if they ask) is do I also replace the springs? Or, just the shocks? Or does replacing the spring depend on the shocks?

I'm trying to understand what goes along with choosing between Koni Yellos, Tokico D-Spec's, or Bilstein HD's?

To be honest, as you suggested, the most straightforward approach seems to go with Bilstein HD's since it sees like a drop in replacement for my current stock shocks? Or I could be wrong. However, the Bilstein's are also the most expensive option from what I was told.

Here's pictures I have found on a 350z using Bilstein shocks. Although, I can't tell if they are Bilstein HD's or not:

https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...gs-review.html

Plus, I've always heard good things about Bilstein shocks. What other things should I replace if I went the way of Bilstein HD's?

Other pictures for Koni Yellows:

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...i-yellows.html


And this sort of asks the same question I am asking:

https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...i-yellows.html

Here, they contend that "Bilsteins (for the Z) are much more refined."

Now, for me, I am not really going to take my car to the track. I do take her up to the mountains though often and to the beach, but not really much to the track. Therefore, in that case, it would seem that the Koni Yellow's or Tokico D-Spec's may not be for me as they sacrifice in ride comfort-ability?

I'm more looking for shocks (or a shock setup) that is more for daily drive comfort (isn't so stiff that I can't stand driving her daily), has better performance than the stock shocks, and isn't really going to radically lower the car.

Reality is, I am going to replace my stock shocks since they are worn. So, I might as well put something descent in their place.

In that case, to me it seems like the Bilstein HD's (though more expensive) seem like a good replacement option?

Anyone have bad experiences with the Bilstein HD's on a 350z?

 

Springs *can* go bad, but it's rare. If your car is sitting at a stock-looking ride height, and level all the way around, I wouldn't worry about springs.

If the Bilstein's were the same price as they were for the C6 Corvette, I would be all over them for your application. The increased price does make them less attractive. They are still great shocks, but I wouldn't call them a great "value" at these prices.

However, if all I wanted to do was "fix" my bad shocks and maintain stock-ish handling and ride, I would go with the Bilstein's anyway.


Those look like the HD's I have installed on two different cars. You may need bushings, so I would either jack the car up myself and inspect them before I order the shocks, (and possibly order replacement bushings) or ask that the shop that does the shock install check while they are doing the install.

Those are Koni shocks with "sleeves" for adjusting ride height. The sleeve is not standard. People send them off to have those installed onto the shock. (usually while they are getting custom valving for stiffer springs.


Shocks should not determine ride height although if you lower your car a lot (with springs or sleeves etc) you may need to use a "shortened" shock so that you don't bottom-out the internals on the shock.

I would go HD's in your situation, even though they are not the bargain like they are for other applications.

 

Thanks Z1NONLY for your input...

I talked with my shop again. The following setup options are what they are suggesting:

Setup #1: New OEM Stock Front Shocks & KYB Rear Shocks:
Setup #2: KONI Yellow shocks for front and rear:




Setup #3: Bilstein Shocks for front and rear:


So apparently, these seem to be my 3 setup options for a 2007 350z.

The Bilstein HD's are monotube shocks. I've attached an image discussing the differences between monotbue and twin tube shock design which I got from Bilstein's website.

Any other setup options? Seems like Setup #3 using Bilstein's HD shocks may be the way to go?

Z1NONLY, so I believe when you are talking about Blistein's HD shocks you are referring to the B6 shocks and not the B16 shocks? Just wanted to confirm

 

I would not mix-and-match OEM fronts with aftermarket rears if I didn't have to. You are buying all 4 shocks new, so I would try to go with a matching set.

The HD sets I have installed have both been Yellow. (B6) This is what I would run in your situation.

Installing Koni's (or any other shock that leaves the spring mounting position unchanged) should not lower your car at all.

The springs, and how they are mounted, determine your ride height.

If you use a shorter spring, it will lower your car. You could theoretically use a spring that's so stiff it has almost no compression under the weight of your car, and ends up settling at, or above, the same height as a softer (but taller) spring under the weight of the same vehicle. So when I say "shorter spring" I mean shorter while supporting the weight of your car.

If you use your stock springs and mount them lower (on the shock housing) than stock, that will also lower your car. The B16's in your link have threaded spring perches. The threads allow you to move the spring up and down the shock. Mounting the spring lower on the shock housing will lower your car.

Basically speaking, shocks resist change. They don't stop it...unless they bottom/top out. The weight of your car will compress your springs to a given height. The shocks will slow that compression down (a little), but they will not determine the point where the springs support the full weight of your car and stop compressing.

If you tried to rest your car on just the shocks....it would bottom them out and you would have a very, very low car.

Conversely, if you were able to rest your car on stock springs alone, (No shocks at all) your car would sit at it's normal height....but it would be ridiculously wobbly and unstable if you tried to drive it that way.

 

Thanks Z1NONLY, I am going to get the price tomorrow for the Bilstein's B6 HD's. I think they will be good choice for my Z too. Thanks for making me aware of them

Although more expensive, I hope they won't be too much more than the Koni's or otherwise.