my car was raised and each wheel checked for play in all directions. seemed fine. if this is the main method for checking common suspension problems (such as bush failure) and bearing problems and it was fine can i pretty much rule this out?

 

see below thread for more background.

 

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=106561&highlight=bearing

........[of] suspension problems. in the title.

Raise the car sufficently and safely enough to get under it and use a pry bar to move all the suspension parts checking for wear in ball joints and bushes, also move the steering full lock from left to right while doing this.

Also find an open space and drive in circles changing the steering from left to right full lock and listen for any wear, grinding noise from cv joints, wheel bearing's ect.

thanks mate. Do these cars have CV joints as they are RWD and front wheel steer??

 

other than the 2 methods you suggested is the "play in each wheel" method a good way of spotting suspension problem? What type of problems would this miss?

Just noticed your link to the previous thread lol.

If you are feeling the vibration through the steering wheel then the chances are its from the front suspension/steering, when you can hear the grinding can you not pinpoint where the sound is coming from? Were you maybe braking at the time when you heard this grinding as it could be something simple as pad wear.

I noticed you also said you wanted the car for a journey on Friday but its best to use the car as little as possible until you have found and rectified the problem. If you have to remove the hubs to check the bearings and they are damaged then the hub could be the only thing holding the bearing together and the race could be so badly damaged it will fall apart so you won't be able to put the hub back on until you get a new baring anyway.

I'd say use your girlfriends VW tomorrow then give yourself more time to investigate the problem properly. Theres nothing worse than trying to do a rushed half arsed job, i've been there lol, ended up creating more problems.

Here's a couple of pics to help.

thanks mate. Do these cars have CV joints as they are RWD and front wheel steer??

 

Forget the CV joints lol :slap: but try to pinpoint if its front or rear where the problem is.

The following link is usefull -

http://www.300zx-twinturbo.com/cgi-bin/manual.cgi