How can I make these struts work?

  • #1

    How can I make these struts work?

    Hello, newbie here, with a rather random inquiry. I own a 50th AE and want to replace the awful springs and struts in the car. I want to ditch all the adjustable air suspension stuff for lower and more stiff suspension. So I bought some B&G lowering springs, and some Tokico Blue non-adustable strut inserts. The Tokicos are for an NA car and obviously I have a turbo model. So why did I buy NA strut inserts when I have a turbo model? Well all of the turbo model strut inserts were adjustable and much more expensive. I read somewhere that the difference is in the front strut assemblies. I figured that I could get a set of front strut assemblies off of a 86 NA and use those with little to no fuss. Can someone confirm this theory? I want some advice before spending more money ahaha
  • #2
    Yep, you can use NA strut assemblies without any problem.

    The difference is that turbo strut tubes have a larger diameter than NA tubes.

    You can probably turn around and sell your old adjustables (if they are still working) and
    turbo strut tubes on the classifieds here or Facebook and make up what you paid for the NA tubes.


    84 AE/Shiro #683/Shiro #820/84 Turbo
  • #3
    Thats a good idea. I switched it from "N" which I assume is neutral to "F" which I assume is firm and there was no noticeable difference in handling, but it did kill my battery.. so it did something lol. I'll keep all the adjustable-susp parts intact upon removal so I can keep them or sell them to someone who wants the OEM equipment.

    So are the Turbo strut tubes larger diameter up front and in the back? Meaning that I need NA strut assemblies at all four corners?
  • #4
    It shouldn't kill the battery and yeah, S=soft, N=normal, F=firm.

    More than likely yours are blown, most are after 30 years.

    The front adjustable are fluid filled tubes that use a strut insert, and the upper seals commonly go out. Also the fluid is a health hazard and NLA.
    If they are good (can't be compressed easily with hand pressure), keep them in the strut tubes.

    The testing procedure is in the Factory Service Manual http://www.xenonzcar.com/z31/fsm.html <<<free download, if you don't have it yet, save yourself future headaches and download it.


    There are no strut tubes in the back, just the bare struts. But you should grab the upper mounts from the NA
    as the adjustables have a larger diameter rod and the upper mount for adjustables uses a plate with spacers.

    You can make the turbo stuff work with adapters but if your pulling parts from an NA, its easier just to use the NA mounts.


    84 AE/Shiro #683/Shiro #820/84 Turbo
  • #5
    I do have the factory manual pdf, I'll have to look it over. But in that case my struts are shot, they bounce all over the place on bumpy Cleveland roads and can be easily compressed when pushing the car down over the wheel. Thanks for the info!
  • #6
    Side note: B&G springs do not lower the car or stiffen up the chassis. You are much better off matching Tokico HPs to Eibach springs.

    In addition, I would also replace the differential mount and subframe bushings. These make a dramatic difference with the suspension.
    86na - BlueZ
    Shiro #366 - Kouki Monster
    85t - Mr Tickles