1975 260Z Rear Springs

[Bobby]

I wish to buy a pair of standard (factory) rear springs for my 1975 260z two seater.

Edited October 27, 2017 by Bobby

[C.A.R.]

You can buy them new from King Springs.

[Bobby]

Hello Lurch,

            King springs sell standard height but not standard spring rate.

The ones they sell are 170 lb/inch whereas I feel standard are 145 going from my workshop manual.

[C.A.R.]

Why is the rate an issue?

I guarantee you won't notice the difference.

[Bobby]

I bought some front struts from a young fellow in Sydney the other day and they came with standard springs(as a bonus) which we have checked and they are 115 lb/inch as the workshop manual says for "hard suspension" which what Australian cars must have come with. The workshop manual says normal front springs are 103 lb/inch.

I was just trying to keep standard spring rate all round with high quality strut inserts.

My car came with King KDFL-04 in the front and KDRS-09 in the rear which are 170 lb/inch and too low.

I was just trying to raise it up and get some bump compliance.

Please don't dismiss me as a dill as I do appreciate your input as I realize, from reading other posts you are very knowledgeable.

[gilltech]

 

 

My car came with King KDFL-04 in the front and KDRS-09 in the rear which are 170 lb/inch and too low.

I've tried them and I agree the Kings are way too stiff, about 50% more; IMO it's better to get the original springs reset / retempered to the exact length you want by a spring works mob.

Edited October 27, 2017 by gilltech

[AndBir]

I bought some front struts from a young fellow in Sydney the other day and they came with standard springs(as a bonus) which we have checked and they are 115 lb/inch as the workshop manual says for "hard suspension" which what Australian cars must have come with. The workshop manual says normal front springs are 103 lb/inch..../

 

I see that the Nissan Service Bulletin Vol197 shows that the early 260Zs (1974s) had 106lb/in springs front and rear whilst the same models in Europe had 120lb/in springs fitted.

[Groundhog]

Its worth checking that the strut insulator on the rear is the one you want.
Standard, the rear insulator 54320-N3701 is thicker than the front strut insulator.
A method often used for lowering the rear is to use a front insulator in the rear strut.

Edited October 27, 2017 by Groundhog

[C.A.R.]

Last I checked, we were all driving 70's sports coupes.

Not Rolls Royce's.

[gilltech]

The problem I discovered is that the Kings 'lows' are too short to be captured by the spring retainers at full droop. And so stiff that the car barely settles under its own weight, meaning it sits at almost top of the travel. (Lord knows what the 'standards' would do). The end result was that the car sat noticeably up higher than originally. So much for 'lows'. So IMO the spring specs are quite wrong.

[Howdy]

Arrrrr just get out your angle grinder and cut them to the length which suits you. Thats what I always do. Just make sure you don't hold them between your knees and your overalls aren't impregnated with oil because it gets a bit hot in the nether region.

[AndBir]

The problem I discovered is that the Kings 'lows' are too short to be captured by the spring retainers at full droop. And so stiff that the car barely settles under its own weight, meaning it sits at almost top of the travel. (Lord knows what the 'standards' would do). The end result was that the car sat noticeably up higher than originally. So much for 'lows'. So IMO the spring specs are quite wrong.

 

Here are the 'full' specs I have for the 1974 model 260Z springs :

 

 

 

Interesting to see the European ones are shorter and "firmer" but have similar loaded heights to non Europe variants.

[gilltech]

Exactly my point. The free lengths in those charts vary between, what, about 350 and 380mm.

The KDFL-04 (for Zed front) I have here is 280mm free length. Way too short. That's why it isn't captured by the spring retainers.

I also have the KDRS-09 (260Z rear) which is 310mm free length, on my car barely captured. (I suspect being intended for the 260Zs with the taller struts, but catalog was one-size-fits-all-260Zs).

So make of that what you will.

[dat2kman]

I have a full set of 260 stocko springs, postage cost from Brisbane kinda negates it?

[AndBir]

 

Exactly my point. .../...

So make of that what you will.

 

 

It is great to get feedback from someone who has used Kings Springs and found out what their shortcomings are - saves others having to go through the same issues.