So I've wanted to put spacers on my Z for a few weeks now and I found some that won't break my bank. I was thinking 1" in the front and 2" in the back. I have the stock rims right now, but I plan on upgrading (17x8?) sometime way down the road. The only thing I'm worried about is that the rear crossmember is bent, resulting in the car pulling to the right. In order to keep straight I have to keep the wheel turned to the left 10 to 15 degrees. I have the replacement part but the whole job looks like about a weekend and a half for two people and I've been putting it off.

Here's the links for each (1" first, then 2"):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I know the bidding has ended on the 2" but I'm pretty sure he'll repost them seeing as no one purchased them.

I'm concerned that putting spacers on before replacing the crossmember may exacerbate the car's pulling to the right, maybe even damage other parts. Any suggestions or comments would be very welcome.

 

Do it right...



How do you know it's the actual "cross member" that is bent? Usually it would only be a control arm unless the car was in a major wreck.

 

The previous owner is a mechanic and said it was the "crossmember" and even included the replacement part. I checked the FSM and it lists what I called the "crossmember" as the suspension member assembly. I did get under it and eyeballed it and it does appear to be bent. I don't remember anything strange about the control arm but I'll double check.

If it is the control arm I don't suppose I can just beat it into submission?
haha

edit: the previous owner said there wasn't a major accident.

 

I find it hard to believe that the actual cross member is bent... especially without being in an accident (maybe he ran over a boulder???). It would likely tear the connecting bolts / bushings out of the frame before bending the cross member. If it didn't, then the body would have been tweaked for sure.

Do you have a pic of the actual "bend" ?

And no, you'd probably never get the cross member or control arm back to original position by hammering or bending it.

A few years ago I wrecked my BMW 318ti into a cement wall and bent the left rear control arm... not even visible to the eye, but it threw off the toe by quite a bit. Made it almost impossible to steer.

 

I'll definitely take a better look at the whole suspension back there. But it looks like I have to have some sort of web page to insert pictures here. I'm relatively new to auto forums so I'll have to get something started for pics. (Then I can show off how I restored the plastic parts of my bumpers to look brand-spanking new...)

 

You can attach pics on this forum. When you are in the reply window, scroll down to MANAGE ATTACHMENTS.

 

Please no wheel spacers =(

Join the stepped lip club please

 

Well then... I will have to pick up the z tomorrow and take some pics.

 

I got underneath it again and got some pics. I put the pics of the back treads next to each other so it would be a little easier to see the difference in wear. On the driver side it's just starting to show a little metal on the heavy wear area.

edit: the second pic needs to be rotated 90 degrees clockwise. my bad.

 

Which pic is showing the bent cross member?

 

I guess the pics aren't the best angle. I wasn't on flat ground when I took them and was afraid that the car would roll on top of me if I lifted it any higher. I'll get a better angle tomorrow when I have more time. I reattached the pic, circling what I think is the bend in red. The other side doesn't seem to be as bent in the same relative area (which may be the problem). I'm not sure, which is why I included the other pics of the rear suspension and tire wear, hoping they may help pinpoint the problem. I also circled the driver side suspension bushing in white. It just looks like it needs to be replaced.

 

why not?

 

i have spacers on my 350z and race the car whatever spacers you get make sure they are hubcentric