[03Brickyard350z]

So the 350Z is my first rear wheel drive sports car, and over the last few weeks of owning it, I am noticing that the rear end tends to step out...almost as if its skipping a little, while taking turns. This happens on a slight right hand turn around 40 mphs...without even giving it gas. I am asking if this is normal, or if there is an issue with my suspension...which I am actually replacing within a month. I am just wondering if shot shocks and struts can do something like this.

The feeling is as if the rear tires break loose just a little, and then snap back into grip....it feels really weird and jerks the car through the corner...if this is normal please advise...But I though that having a sports car, the handling would improve over fwd cars which took the exact same turns at the same speed without issue...

Any advice would be really appreciated...

Thanks in advance

 

[Kornercarver]

I don't think that is normal. Mine doesn't do that when going around corners.

 

[NoZYet]

I'd start with your tire pressures, if they're too low that can occur. Are you riding your brakes through corners? Getting on the gas will make the car push through corners, lifting off the gas or braking while turning will put the load on the front wheels, letting the rear wheels slide.

I'd learn to drive the car before going in and swapping suspension parts.

~Patrick

 

[03Brickyard350z]

Thanks for the advice bro, I would have done that, but im pretty sure that my shocks are shot, since its a really bouncy ride on stock springs, like every single bump makes the car bounce, and going over any rough road chatters my teeth, lol. Plus I feel the car barely drop the nose under not so heave breaking. As far as I know, that usually means bye bye shocks. So I decided to get springs with the shocks, since the rears I can do myself, and the front will cost about $100 to install Plus an excuse for a better suspension....from what I know the 03's had a lot of suspension problems regardless, and with 85k on it, im pretty sure the suspension is shot on this one

 

[NoZYet]

Gotcha, sorry I'm used to people just tossing parts at the car for kicks and giggles. If the shocks are really bad maybe the shocks are bottoming out, I know the NC Miatas have had a lot of problems with this.

~Pat

 

[Ronin Z]

I am noticing that the rear end tends to step out...almost as if its skipping a little, while taking turns. This happens on a slight right hand turn around 40 mphs...

Thanks in advance

Could be worn out struts. But it sorta sounds like a torn rear subframe bushing. I tore my OEM rear subframe bushings at a track day. Going into a corner, it felt as if the rear was scooting out about 1/2" then would grip like normal. I replaced the torn stock ones with the NISMO bushings (didn't know about Whiteline at the tiime), and have had no problems since.

Thanks for the advice bro... Plus I feel the car barely drop the nose under not so heave breaking.

The Z doesn't drop the nose that much under braking. I don't have the stock suspension anymore, so I can't tell you by how much. With my coilovers I actually don't notice the nose drop at all. The only reason I know it drops is because once I come to a complete stop... it pops up about 1/2". lol.

Good Luck,
Ronin Z

 

[PerfZ]

A RWD car is going to take corners entirely different than a FWD. Although if you are getting bounce, you are probably correct in that the shocks are gone.

 

[idrm350]

Could be worn out struts. But it sorta sounds like a torn rear subframe bushing. I tore my OEM rear subframe bushings at a track day. Going into a corner, it felt as if the rear was scooting out about 1/2" then would grip like normal. I replaced the torn stock ones with the NISMO bushings (didn't know about Whiteline at the tiime), and have had no problems since.

Just what I was thinking. I was thinking that the diff bushing may be blown too. OP, look at the rear diff bushing to see if it is blown. If so, you will see black fluid running down the rear subframe.

The Z doesn't drop the nose that much under braking. I don't have the stock suspension anymore, so I can't tell you by how much. With my coilovers I actually don't notice the nose drop at all. The only reason I know it drops is because once I come to a complete stop... it pops up about 1/2". lol.

Good Luck,
Ronin Z

QFT. The Z doesn't dive under braking.

 

[pocket_wrench]

Gotcha, sorry I'm used to people just tossing parts at the car for kicks and giggles. If the shocks are really bad maybe the shocks are bottoming out, I know the NC Miatas have had a lot of problems with this.

~Pat

I'm with you on this one. if it ain't broke don't fix it...haha

 

[M_Ajouri]

Also if you bought the car used its a possibility if you have a model without a stock LSD, its unlikely but possible that your diff could be welded. I'm not saying it is but don't rule it out until you check

 

[03Brickyard350z]

Ok so figured out that the rear diff bushing is completely blown, and by the looks of may have been that way for quite some time. Anyways, did a quick search and found that SPL and some other ppl make some solid bushings, so far found this on ebay, can anyone tell me if its worth it, or should I pay double (which i am not really wanting to do, for SPL brand name).

PRO SOLID DIFFERENTIAL BUSHINGS SET NISSAN 350Z - eBay (item 370403521215 end time Jan-27-11 13:39:52 PST)

Thanks guys...

 

[pocket_wrench]

there is a post on here that has a link to some really good rear diff bushings. i'll try to find it. but they look like they will work fine, but the one on the other site is supposedly easier to get in.

try looking up "SPL diff bushings" and see if you get what you need. i can't find the link

 

[idrm350]

Ok so figured out that the rear diff bushing is completely blown, and by the looks of may have been that way for quite some time. Anyways, did a quick search and found that SPL and some other ppl make some solid bushings, so far found this on ebay, can anyone tell me if its worth it, or should I pay double (which i am not really wanting to do, for SPL brand name).

PRO SOLID DIFFERENTIAL BUSHINGS SET NISSAN 350Z - eBay (item 370403521215 end time Jan-27-11 13:39:52 PST)

Thanks guys...

Those are a knock-off of the SPL bushings. Assuming that whoever made those can use a lathe, I see no reason why they wouldn't work just fine. I have not seen anyone use these yet however so I don't have a better answer than "should be fine".

 

[350z760]

So was the diff bushings the issue? Im having the exact same prob. Thanks

 

[thathi]

I just replaced my rear differential bushings with SPL bushings for 350z. The oem bushing was busted and leaking.

Car is supposed to be a little bit louder. It's not very noticeable. It's not like the 350z interior design is anything to write home about. Shifting is a bit louder at times, but it echoes well in the plastic interior of the 350z.

There was no noticeable issue in driving this at 112K miles, with the oem bushing busted. I also don't do drag racing or go drifting. This replacement should make contact of power to ground better and with the car being RWD, I expect the comfort and safety of the car will increase.

 

[Ed Kuta]

Mine Does. 2006 350 z.