Sooo,
I purchased a 1990 2+0 300zx NA, and drove it for the first time today.. I'm aware of things that need to be done.. (brakes, rotors, tires, muffler system) but when I slow down or speed up, (at low speeds) I hear a thump in the rear of the car.. I suspect it needs Shocks and Struts as well but I just wanted any opinions on what else could be the problem.. I'm a Wiz when it comes to a 240sx issues but 300zx is a whole new ball park for me.. sad to say but im a 300zx NOOB.. (I hate that word.. lol)
thanks a'lot! in advance for all Suggestions!

 

When I back up and stop I hear a small clunk coming from the rear. Still haven't figured that one out, nothing seems to be loose back there. Does your thump happen continuously or only once per direction change?

 

Per direction change as well.. Reverse, or in Drive.. it is not constant..

 

Diff bushings, carrier bearing..etc

 

would you mind giving me a list of what would need to be changed to stop this from happening Hoov10?

 

You have to find out whats clunking first.

 

Somebody will have to get under the Car and Check things Out..

Likely it's the Rubber Bushings that the Differential Housing is Mounted by.. It holds the Dif Housing in the Rear Sub Frame.. There are Four of them..

The Other Likely Culpret is the Two Piece Drive Shaft Carrier Rubber Bushing..

Either Case, the Car needs to get off the Ground, and have Someone start poking around to see what is Shinny that should not be.. Or what Wiggles that should not..

If it's the Drive Shaft.. Somewhat Simple to Replace.. Either Replace the Carrier Bearing Assembly, or get a One Piece Drive Shaft.. your Choice..

If it's a Diff Carrier Rubber Bushing.. then it's Decision Time..

1) Live with the Noise..
2) Drop the Rear Sub Frame and Replace ALL the Bushings in the Back Half of the Car.. Because you already have the Back Half of the Car Shredded anyway.. Might as well do all the Bushings.. ( BTDT )

I did the Rear Bushings Myself.. Never done them Before.. Took Two of us.. Two Days to Complete.. EXCEPT.. Could not come up with a way to get the FOUR BIG Sub Frame Bushings out.. So I did not change them.. All the Swing Arm and Diff Mounting Bushings we did change..

It's like any Suspension Work.. Dirty.. Grimey.. Bloody ( Yours ).. and a LOT of new Swear words..

Need to have a GOOD shop at your Disposal if your going to try this.. Not for the Faint at Heart..

Cap

 

I think I'm going to take the car to a shop.. I love my car but not enough to use brand new swear words.. Lol.. I'll drop what it takes to get ride of the noise, but I'll narrow it down myself before taking and getting a quote from a shop.. That way I only pay for labor.. If that.. I have a lot of mechanic friends so.. Cheers!!

 

Just don't get drawn into the whole, "you should do this while where at it" BS shops try to pull. Also buy the parts yourself and inspect all of the parts they replaced. Most shops charge 10-30% more then what they pay and sometimes don't actually replace the parts they charged you for.

 

thats exactly what my plan was.. i've had that happen to a friend of mine.. when he asked for the original parts, they said they had been disposed of.. and they made a big issues about retrieving them.. Lames!!