ClarCE

Hey all, I've had a quick search and can't find any definitive answers, this maybe because I don't understand this offset thing very well. My plan is to get my current Rays refurbed as I think they suit the car perfectly. They're not too badly curbed, but there are a few bits that need looking at. The current ride height is far too high for my liking, and was hoping I could get away with just changing the springs to bring it down 30mm ish. Any suggestions on which ones? They are also set too far into the arch, which seems to be the general opinion, can anyone point me in the direction of spacers which will fit properly and not cause me vibrations - hub-centric ones I think I need? Also - I have no idea how big they need to be, just want the wheels to sit flush, and not sunk back into the arch as they are now. Sorry if I'm covering old ground on this one - also whatever I do has to be in-expensive - I'm not looking for Formula 1 suspension for doing roundabouts at 80MPH, its more about the look for me. As always, cheers in advance for your valued input! Chris.

Number plate was personalised and had the word "POO" on the end! Overtook me on the A34 between Stone & Newcastle-under-Lyme northbound. Looked identical to mine, and didn't have LED rear lights so assuming its around the same age as my 04 - was also a GT with Rays like mine.. Cheers, Chris.

Hi all, My back box is rusted away, and as I've just shelled out 14K for the car, I'm a tad skint! Anyone have any experience of these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220222024752 As always, any advice appreciated... Cheers, Chris.

2004 - 24500 miles, full dealer history.. No problems with bumps, just clutch.. then you can rasonably assume it's not the mounts, etc. If I had to wager a guess, given the year of the car, I would think a faulty throw out bearing. Quite common. While in there, check the obvious things such as clutch disk condition, pressure plate fingers (to make sure they are all even and one/some have not collapsed) as well as torque on the flywheel bolts unlikely to be the mounts as these are usually noticable on deceleration aswell as acceleration, but i dont understand why the clutch would only cause a prob in 1st and 2nd ? unless its driving more and momentum helps in the higher gears very difficult to diagnose a noise via the net though Yeah, I appreciate that - I used to be pretty hot on the X25XE GM engine, and it was never easy diagnosing on the web! Found this post on here earlier, guys explaining the exact same thing I think - typically it doesn't say if he got it fixed! So I've PM'd, although he doesn't look like an 'active' member... http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10635 I'm going to take it to my mechanic next week, he'll stick it on his rolling road and have a listen with the confines of the shop.. I'm pretty convinced its the clutch, and am willing to swap the flywheel and the whole clutch (both bits) + bearing when I go down that route..

2004 - 24500 miles, full dealer history.. No problems with bumps, just clutch..

Thanks for that m8, that post on the other forum is what made me think it was the fuel dampner. However I don't get it at all at idle - just clutch bearing noise that reminds me of an knackered XR3i I owned 10 years ago! I'm thinking its clutch related now, following the testing I did in my last post. There is a sound clip in that other forum, and that guys engine sounds seriously sh**ged. Thankfully (touches wood) mines nothing like that, and definitely appears clutch related..

Yep, forget that comment - I just listened to a clip on another forum of that noise, and its not it. Just been out doing some testing - tried to record it, but phones crap. Test 1 Changing from Neutral to 1st to 2nd normally, applying acceleration as changing - between 1500 & 2000 - noise noticeable, even from cold. Test 2 Changing from Neutral to 1st to 2nd quickly, applying lots of power - noise barely noticeable Test 3 Changing up in any gear, but not accelerating until fully off the clutch - noise not noticeable. I then did Test 1 and 2 again - noise was back Test 4 While in 2nd, got to between 1500 & 2000 rpm, and slowly pressed in clutch while keeping the power constantly low - noise louder, and could feel it coming back up through the clutch pedal. So I think I may have pinpointed it - got to be something to do with the clutch, anyone think its the clutch itself, or possibly this release bearing, which is noisy (but not much) when im idling in neutral.. Cheers in advance, feels like im getting somewhere, I hope! Chris

Ok, been reading - although I'm not noticing it at idle - anyone think it might be fuel dampener?

both, or though more apparent when gently, I guess through obvious reasons of lack of engine roar...

lol, definitely not the Mrs! She's not a 'car fan' although I know she secretly likes it! As for the knocking (of the car) its deep in a sound sense.. seems to increase in speed as I accelerate. On my 30 mile trip home tonight, I couldn't always replicate it but when I did I couldn't get it to do it in any gear other than 1/2. It does stop if I stop accelerating all together.. I'll let you know what I find around the front when I get chance to get on the stands and pull the wheels off..

Thanks for that, I hear what you're saying - its going in for a service in next couple of days so I'll ask them to drive it and listen. Only happens when driving btw, doesn't do it when revving in neutral. I was thinking that if they can't do anything, then I'd ask someone on hear to have a listen. The good news is I've got a comprehensive warranty (Tesco Finest!) so if theres anything serious it should be covered.. Also, It's currently got 99 Octane in it and has done for the last 3 fill-ups since I got my mits on it. Cheers, Chris.

Just been quoted £265 inc VAT and all labour + parts. Looks like a bargain compared to some of the prices I've seen other people are paying on here S'pose I better get it booked in, and they even give you a Micra to run around in

Hi all, After a couple of weeks with the Zed now, I'm still loving every minute, even as I come across niggles such as weird squeaks and the bose giving up - all fixed / about to be. However, I have noticed that when pulling away in 1st and second when I hit 1.5 - 2.0 K revs, sometimes I get a knocking noise from the front somewhere - at least I think its the front. I thought to start with maybe I had the clickly rear CV joint problem, but I imagine from what I've read that would sound more like one of those dog trainer clicky things, where as this is more like someone knocking on a big wooden door.. Any ideas? I thought maybe the exhaust was bouncing around as the low revs throw some pretty good vibrations through - just like in most big engined cars.. Any light that could be shed - much appreciated.. Chris.

Thanks for that, I'll check it out later when I'm ripping the Bose out

Any chance of a photo of what they fixed, I have an annoying rattle coming from that area.. Cheers Chris.

I'm liking the look of this unit, and seeing as my passenger side speakers don't work - I need a replacement. Question would be, can I just plug all of the current speakers, including sub straigt in via use of some form of autoleads adapter or similar? Cheers in advance, Chris.

Last night my sleep deprivation was down to car insurance! I've got 3 points coming off on the 1st of September taking me back to 0 - do they care?!! Makes £100 difference to the renewal, so thinking about doing a 7 day cover note to keep the finance people happy and then doing a proper policy when I get back and no longer have to declare that 65 I did in a 60 in Cornwall years ago!

He works very near you Beavis Where? Yeah, we have a facility in NuL - Croft Road, but this week I'll be in the old machine sadly: http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/ClarCE/19102007096.jpg Sorry to tar this forum with such photos

The lovely? Swindon is where I live these days

Cheers guys, the really annoying thing is that next week I'm up north with work until Wednesday, back South on Thurs then going to Spain for a week on Friday - so at this rate not until the 30th!! I'm going to be going out of my mind wanting to get home again and actually pick it up

First post, so hi everyone! Well after fighting with every finance company known to man over the last week, I've finally nearly got there. So today I went to the dealer and took it for a test drive and my GOD was I impressed. I've been umming and r'ing for ages about whether to get one. I wanted one the day they were released but they were just way out of the price range then... I've read about niggles / problems on here so I was listening and looking - didn't hear the knocking from the rear, or any dodgy creaking. Gear changes were swift (although dodgy at first while I adjusted). However forgot to test the stereo out but did test the electric windows so I could hear the engine roaring at me Heres a link, what do you think? http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/ClarCE/350.jpg Its an 04/04 GT with the Rays and all that - although no satnav. 23000 miles, and its got three stamps in the service book. 2 owners from new. £13990. Hopefully you don't think I should walk away as I just gave the dealer a considerable amount of cash! Cheers, Chris