I am looking to purchase a 1990 300ZX TT Auto and have found a 2 owner car in immaculate condition with 65k miles however there is a strange vibration from the centre of the car that vibrates through the drivers seat when driving normally. Could the Auto box be on the way out or driveshaft perhaps, has anyone experienced anything like this? Hope you can help, thanks.

 

if it isnt a wheel balance problem, then chances are it could be the prop centre support bearing

 

its a common thing to fail, is not too expensive to buy (~£100), but is a bit of hassle to fit.

 

the whole prop needs to come off to do it. generally about 4 hours labour at a dealer.

 

also possible, but less likely, is the gearbox rear mounting, which is about same price, and same hassle to fit

 

Else it could be the prop joints themselves, which are not repairable i dont think.

a new prop is £600 from nissan

 

you can get one piece replacements from the US, and there is a US dealer you can get cheaper parts from, including the shipping cost

 

Craig, you've covered everything there I think :-)

 

The prop shaft ideally needs to be balanced. The existing prop can be refurbished (fully cleaned, balanced, new bearings, joint etc for around 400. I have been told that they come out better than new. All parts of the prop are marked to ensure the alignment is correct when installing to keep the 'balancing' true. I personally would get a one-piece replacement from the US though.

 

 

 

The only problem with the one piece is that they don't have the 2+2 TT in the US and the prop shaft is different to the 2+2 NA.

 

 

 

yeah, thats the main point that has stopped me from ordering one in the past.

 

who wants to be the first owner to wait for one to be shipped over, only to find it doesn't fit...

 

and then go through the trouble of returning/arguing the point, even if you tell them exactly what you want before they send it....

 

OK, Looks like we're stuck with a two-piece for the time being.

 

Have made a few calls and Luke reckons it is probably the centre support bearing for the prop. I think I am going to buy the car as they are asking £6995 which I think is a pretty good price for a UK 1991 car with 62k and service history.

 

in that case Stu, all that remains is to say

 

"congrats on your decision to buy, and welcome to the club"

 

 

 

Looking at the Job the Center Support bearing should be childs play to replace.

 

Not sure of the kinda price you would get from Nissan but hey i paid over 150 quid for them to change the the Windscreen wiper pivot arm so im sure it wont be cheap!

 

About 80% of the time the bearing is your problem.

 

I thought the reason for the one peice drive shafts were for the worn U Joints that Nissan don't list as a servicable item, i think if they go you are, what is the word.

Oh yes phucked !

 

Z ya

 

Nico91TT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folks,

 

You might find this useful too. Just found it browsing through the US forum.

 

 

'I just went through this AGAIN!!! The tranny mount on my car had sagged more than 1/2 inch. This let the transmission down enough to mess up the drive shaft angle, taking it below 1 degree, and causing the front U-joint in the drive shaft to wear prematurely. In turn, because the front of the drive shaft was out of line, it put stress on the center bearing AND the rear U-joint. The drive shaft moved in sort of an elliptical pattern. The rear wheels wobbled also. The type of transmission doesn't matter: both weigh very close to the same.

Changing the tranny mount itself is not that difficult, and it's a good $55 that you'll $pend with Courtesy. If your car is more than five years old, or it's been more than three years since you changed the mount, I'd consider doing it now - cheap insurance!

 

While you're at it, I'd pull the drive shaft and see that the U-joints were still good and that the center bearing is also. After you change the mount, you may still have vibrations if you don't.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Tom Bell'

 

The motto being. Change the tranny mounts at the same time or you could shagg the prop shaft again.

 

Welcome to the 'Z' world Stu!