Few things I noticed on my Nismo...

[D2M]

I had the car on stand as I was installing the Z1 rear subframe collars and diff brace. Just a few takeaways..

1. The Z1 parts are extremely well made, high quality and fit perfectly. I was a pleasure installing these..

2. This car has a ton of suspension droop. Droop a trophy truck would be jealous of. (these shocks have to go)

4. The rear diff bushing looks to be the same liquid filled one as in the 370Z. This was a very common failure point. My car has around 4K miles and this bushing has already started sagging down a bit looking like a pimple ready to pop, its difficult to see in the pic. The new Z makes 100 hp / 100 lb more than the 370, this is going to be failing even sooner on the new Z.

5. The dreaded 350/370Z axle click. Looks like the same axle nut and retainer design. At 4K miles you can already see the retainer deforming from the torque. She will start clicking at some point.

6. Weight reduction. Huge tow hook on the left rear.... She gone...

 

[SavedByFaith_]

Great observation points

Any suggestions to remedy? Parts?

 

[bpeckham]

For the axle click problem, is the remedy simply to replace the axle nut?

 

[D2M]

Hopefully the diff brace will help the diff bushing last longer. An aftermarket bushing is not expensive but its a bit of work to replace it as the diff must be removed from the subframe. I think in the past Nissan would not offer the bushing separately, it comes installed in the rear subframe so if its a warranty failure you will get a new rear subframe installed. It also depends on your driving style as to how long this will last. If you are just cruising around then will last a long time. If you ripping like Ricky Bobby then wont last long.

There is an upgraded part to replace the OE axle nut / retainer combo with a one piece castle nut.
Here are the parts needed to do both sides: 92210-0280 x2, 40037-1CAOA X4, 40073-OL700 X2 this seems to fix the issue from ever returning.

 

[bpeckham]

I was struggling a bit to understand where the diff bushing is, which direction is which in your photo. The bushing appears to be in the center, but not sure what other components are in that picture.

 

[bpeckham]

I think it must be looking up?

 

[Thefunk]

So the "track ready" Nismo trim needs work? I'm not surprised. I've seen the engine bay too. Like why no nismo engine shroud? No nismo CAI? Strange. At least getting it to where you want it seems relatively easy.

 

[D2M]

I was struggling a bit to understand where the diff bushing is, which direction is which in your photo. The bushing appears to be in the center, but not sure what other components are in that picture.

This bushing is located slightly off center to the left on the upper rear beam of the rear subframe. Its very difficult to see as its pretty high up above the exhaust and all the bracing. Here is a general photo for reference. This bushing has failed and is leaking its fluid out. Cars with MT are more prone to failure as the bushing will get shocked more often.

 

[D2M]

So the "track ready" Nismo trim needs work? I'm not surprised. I've seen the engine bay too. Like why no nismo engine shroud? No nismo CAI? Strange. At least getting it to where you want it seems relatively easy.

I would say for a beginner / intermediate level driver the car is definitely track ready as is. Its set up pretty decent for anything under 100mph. At higher speeds things get floaty. Its the classic under sprung overdamped setup and skinny front tires to promote understeer. The foundation is there like having all the extra coolers, and some stiffer control arm bushings. The rest is nothing a few $K cant fix. Just changing out the tires improved the car massively. Im still researching on what dampers to go with.

 

[bpeckham]

Thanks for sharing. I love seeing these internals and hearing the details to get an idea about what might go wrong down the road.

 

[goeagles11]

I got the axle click maybe at 15k miles on my 370Z. Dealer fixed it and never had a problem for another 70k miles until I traded her in.

They said it was a problem with the amount of grease that came from Nissan. Shouldn’t be a problem on these new Zs.

 

[JonnyG]

Great observations. The bushing collars are on my inital list and I figured coilovers would have to come - just don't want the ride too hard. Great info on "click" and bushing for us NISSAN newbies. That suspension sag is head explode.

I have been busy catching up on info, almost starting buying stuff before the car gets here. Do you know if the factory clutch is single or twin and I was looking at some exploded parts diagrams and it seems the throwout bearing isn't hydraulic its a fork set up - wow. I agree for spirited highway driving I tend to like same wheel width front and back or at minimum 275's up front. I have a NISSAN Sentra as a spare car which I rarely drive. At the moment I am waiting for a new clutch to come in for the Cat and I've been driving it this week. Tonight I was cruising at 95 - 105 and it was OK gave me hope for the Z knowing it will be head & shoulders above.

 

[Thefunk]

I would say for a beginner / intermediate level driver the car is definitely track ready as is. Its set up pretty decent for anything under 100mph. At higher speeds things get floaty. Its the classic under sprung overdamped setup and skinny front tires to promote understeer. The foundation is there like having all the extra coolers, and some stiffer control arm bushings. The rest is nothing a few $K cant fix. Just changing out the tires improved the car massively. Im still researching on what dampers to go with.

That makes sense. Nissan doesn't want people to crash the car as soon as they hit the highway. Softer suspension will scare drivers so they'll slow down. As soon as I put better sway bars on my Performance it completely changed on high speed turns with stock springs and tires even. I can only imagine what coilovers and better tires can do.

 

[D2M]

Another fun fact. The Nismo has a zero mm (0) scrub radius from the factory, good job Nissan. I put a 12mm spacer up front and ruined it effectively having a +12mm scrub radius but I cant be seen driving a hovercraft.

 

[ZillaZ]

When would you hear the "axle click? Is it a constant noise or something else?