Shock Absorbers
Australian Factory Damper Rates[edit]
Damping force measured at 1 foot per second.
Front[edit]
CA20E[edit]
- 815 N Expansion, 285 N Compression
RB30E[edit]
- Yellow Spring - 815 N Expansion, 285 N Compression
- No Colour Spring - 795 N Expansion, 310 N Compression
Rear[edit]
CA20E[edit]
- Sedan - 815 N Expansion, 285 N Compression
- Wagon - 815 N Expansion, 285 N Compression
RB30E[edit]
- Sedan - 895 N Expansion, 355 N Compression
- Wagon - 820 N Expansion, 400 N Compression
GTS1 Damper Rates[edit]
Damping force measured at 0.52m/sec
Front[edit]
Expansion 1568 N, Compression 392 N
Rear[edit]
Expansion 1813 N, Compression 637 N
Shock Types[edit]
Insert Length[edit]
There's a variety of R31 front struts out there. The internal length may vary. Depending on who made the insert, you might need to cut a nipple off the end of the insert or pack the insert with some washers to make it fit properly in your strut.
The bottom of the strut tube has a recess for the shock insert nipple. If the shock has no nipple, the shoulders rest on the outside of the recess.
The top blue shock is a Monroe. It sits lower in the tube than the bottom Gabriel shocks. Even though the Monroe shock body is longer, the Gabriel nipple keeps it higher than the Monroe.
File:Shock monroe gabriel comparison.jpg
Gland Nut Thread[edit]
There are several threads you might find on your struts, make sure you use the correct gland nut.
Strut Top Type[edit]
There are at least two strut top styles, which match two different shock shaft styles/diameters. This strut top is possibly for a 20mm shock shaft, and has a flat to stop the shaft rotating against the retaining nut in the strut top itself - therefore the shock shaft rotates in the shock as the bottom half turns left to right:
File:Shock strut-tops import.jpg
This strut top is for a 14mm shock shaft, and the retaining nut tightens onto a bearing. (The shock shaft is locked for tightening the retaining nut by a flat on a tab on a plate sitting on top of the upper spring platform.) This strut top doesn't match the standard Bilstein shafts, therefore use the other style, or get Quadrant to tig on the correct shaft to match:
File:Shock strut-tops aussie.jpg
Bilstein[edit]
Used by Nissan Special Vehicles Division on the GTS cars. Apparently details of the exact valving used by SVD have been lost in time. Bilsteins are still available however, at a price.
These part numbers are for import struts. Apparently they are incompatible with the Australian top hat, but can be modified by Bilstein if requested.
- Front - Part No. - P30-0265 rrp $410 each from Quadrant in Melbourne. When you order they need to know whether you need a 14mm or 20mm threaded section for the shock shaft where it goes through the strut top. 20mm is standard for Bilsteins and directly fits the imports. 14mm is the Aussie dimension, and they charge extra to alter the top to fit these.
- Rear - Part No. - B46-0057
Koni[edit]
Koni Reds[edit]
These are adjustable but not in car, the front insert has to be removed to be adjusted.
- Front - Part No. - 86-2361 $281.60rrp
- Rear - Part No. - 8240-1099 $211.20rrp
Koni Yellows[edit]
There is no Koni yellow made specifically for the R31, but the Z31 yellow front insert will fit with the addition of a couple of washers / 20c pieces to pack it out at the bottom of the strut. This insert is adjustable on the car. The top hat cover on the strut is removed before installing the strut so as to expose the adjustment.
- Front - Part No. - 8641-1060Sport
KYB[edit]
Kayaba shock absorbers from Japan:
- Front- Gas shock - Part No. - 365084 $160rrp
- Rear - Gas shock - Part No. - 341031
- Rear - Monotube - Part No. - KG9121 (@2021 -- these have been discontinued by KYB, as has the gas-a-just NG9121)
The rear gas shock is actually listed for an R30, but it's the same as the R31 anyway. The gas shocks are Excel-G, the monotube is a Gas-a-Just.
Wagons Rear[edit]
Wagon rears are oddballs.
- Monroe - 15-0168 Gt Gas Shock Absorbers
- Monroe - 17-0168 Sensa-Trac Shock Absorbers
Manufacturer Sites[edit]
Pictures by: AgentR31, r31powah, prestagea, Tuyen