S14 Rear clunking problem?

[2slow2go]

So my friend has this s14 95 zenki with SE with all options. Regular ka24de motor. And stock in everyway.

When he accelerates and let off the gas in a gear like 2nd, immetiately after, you hear and feel a clunking problem in the rear. As for when im riding in the rear i feel it as if it were under me on the right side but sometimes on the left too.

This also happens when downshifting for instance as from 3rd to 2nd. It also happens when going over a speedbump fast.

The clunk is as though a second vibration of the rear. I have read on some similar problems but most came out with things such as wheel bearing, vsld,bushing, subframe ect.
As for my wheel bearing i checked by turning and twisting the rear wheels and they seem fine. Vsld works perfectly still.

So what maybe the problem?

[khmerguy618]

DO you have subframe spacers?

[2slow2go]

naw it doesnt. it all stock.
I heard from a tech that subframe spacers might fix the problem?
but then i want to narrow down all the other more possible things if there are before spending money.

[zerooath]

rear shocks could be blown?

[2slow2go]

well it more of a harshness of a clunk rather then the annoyance of a bouncyness when its blown

[racepar1]

Most likely your subframe bushings are torn the fuck up. Look under the car, maybe you'll get lucky and find something loose.

[ManoNegra]

Subframe bushings, just went through the same thing recently. Get some collars but if the bushings are too far gone you'll need to drop the subframe and replace them.

[2slow2go]

damn if it the subframe it sounds like hard work since u have to take off the diff and stuff right? and press in the bushings?


does anyone have a writeup on collar or bushing install?

[racepar1]

You probably don't wanna do that if you need a write-up to figure it out. It is a SERIOUS pain in the ass! The collars are easy to install though. You just have to loosen the 4 subframe nuts and remove the brackets on the front bushings. Buy the collars and give them a shot. Check out www.splparts.com (http://www.splparts.com) they have whatever you need as far as suspension components go.

[2slow2go]

i read a writeup from spl. and it saids remove the front bracket and the nut to the bushing and lower the subframe and slip them in? as for the rear is it just a nut and lower it because there is no bracket?

[M374llic4]

I am having the same problem with my s14. Its pretty bad, scares the hell out of me every time i hear it haha.

[2slow2go]

seems to be this only happen to s14's damn wtf happened to nissan between these years.

I found some collars on ebay 50 bux shipped. Looking at the items there all made from allumimum and quite the same looks from generic to brandname. Should i get them?

[fliprayzin240sx]

Ebay should work, theyre all aluminum pieces pretty much. Just make sure you get the ones that has notches for the tops so you wont have to drop the subframe. The open ones basically slips on top of the subframe while the full ones slip under before the nuts. Simple job, shouldnt take more than 20 mins with 2 floor jacks

[rican_nick]

seems to be this only happen to s14's damn wtf happened to nissan between these years.

I found some collars on ebay 50 bux shipped. Looking at the items there all made from allumimum and quite the same looks from generic to brandname. Should i get them?

not only s14's.. i've owned 5 s13's and 1 s14........all of them needed subframe spacers. But its a cheap and easy fix. The ebay specials work fine.. i just have a buddy that works at a machine shop make mine now.

[Koopa Troopa]

Eh, all old cars will most likely have subframe bushings that are shot... Mine is bad though, subframe actually drops when I lift the car up.. :rofl:

It's not hard to install the bushings or collars, whichever you choose. Last time I installed some I was in high school, knew jack shit about cars and did the job in the street. Just use a jack to control how far the subframe drops so you can slip the bushings in... :bigok: Just remember that if you switch to aluminum you'll hear your diff a lot more than you used to. I think Nismo makes some hard rubber bushings you can use though.

[alcaino7]

Check the emergency break cables to see if they are loose and they are touching the driveshaft.

[Dream240]

The other thing you may want to check is the diff bushings. These can compund your subframe bushing problem. Also worn out drive axles will clunk upon acceleration and deceleration. Mainly because you develop free play in the axle joints that presents itself when ever there is fresh power transfer from the diff. to the wheels. If after you do the bushings and the problem still exists, check the axles.

Oh and collars will make your ride quality ALOT louder than stock. The car is more responsive and no more ass shake on road dips, but you definitely won't win "Quietest car of the year award". But then again, it's a 240, comfort is an afterthought.

GL

[2slow2go]

haha yahs i plan to do the collars im only in high school with no garage either lol.

i chcked my driveshaft already and all the boots and stuff seem to be in tip top shape. When i acceralerate there is no hesitation just a after affect which more leads to the collars problems. HOPEFULLY it not diff bushing because that seems hard lol

thanks alot people

[Koopa Troopa]

Just jack the car up from the diff... You should be good. I only used one floor jack and I think a scissor jack...

If you have a lift put your car on a lift and see if the subframe drops....

[idlafie]

Capital Z of Texas hosts a link showing how to install the subframe spacers. Although it refers to the Nissan 300ZX subframe spacers, the 240SX spacers can be replaced the exact same way.
http://www.czot.org/techtips/
Hope the link with pictures helps...
ID

[kanagawa_kouki]

Yeah. Subframe

[2slow2go]

hmm i think im getting a deal on some kazama collars for 50

[theronin]

yeah just like everyone else has said. its most likely your subframe smackin into your car on accel and decel. mine does it really bad too. people freak out when they are in my car. i have my collars sitting in my room, i just need to become unlazy and take the 5 min and install them.