1988 Nissan Sentra 4x4 wagon rear strut issue

[road_rascal]

Inherited my mom's '88 Sentra 4x4 wagon- just had it shipped from CO to MN last Friday. Drove it about 90 miles up to my cabin to do an thorough inspection. I noticed the left rear strut is rubbing against the outer axle boot. The only thing I can think of is that the strut somehow slid down the mounting bracket but I don't see any scoring on the strut itself. The right side doesn't look like it moved, but I can't find any decent photos online if the left strut is supposed to look like that. Car has 102,600 miles on it and it looks like the last time the struts were replaced was back in 2007 at 74,400 miles (car was not driven very much). Finding parts for this car is going to be an adventure...

 

[FowVay]

It appears that somewhere at some point in time somebody replaced the left rear strut with a strut from the front wheel drive model. The 4WD model uses a strut as depicted on the right side.

Good luck finding a suitable replacement. If you find a source then buy one for each side. These will likely be as rare as the teeth from a female chicken.

 

[road_rascal]

It appears that somewhere at some point in time somebody replaced the left rear strut with a strut from the front wheel drive model. The 4WD model uses a strut as depicted on the right side.

Good luck finding a suitable replacement. If you find a source then buy one for each side. These will likely be as rare as the teeth from a female chicken.

That's what I'm thinking- thanks. Yup, finding parts for this car is gonna be fun.

 

[Brian123]

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1988/nissan/sentra/suspension/strut_assembly.html

 

[road_rascal]

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1988/nissan/sentra/suspension/strut_assembly.html

None of those will work for 4WD models.

 

[michaelluscher]

55303-70A25
Strut Kit-Rear Suspension, LH
KAYABA STANPED 55303-70A00
STANPED 55303-70A00
Location:
Driver side
Replaced By:
55303-70A86

55302-70A25
Strut Kit-Rear Suspension, RH
STANPED 55302-70A00
Location:
Passenger Side
Replaced By:
55302-70A86

The only thing that crosses on RockAuto is Monroe 71816

If it looks right, move quick, there's only 3 left
As a last resort (shipped in from ) TRW JGM3301T
Interchange is the following
NISSAN PULSAR NX 1987-1990
NISSAN SENTRA 1987-1992

I respectfully demand more pictures of the vintage Nissan

 

[RooflessVW]

That's a fine looking car.

 

[RooflessVW]

https://ceika-store.com/products/ceika_custom_coilovers_for_nissan_sentra_b12_-85-90?

 

[road_rascal]

I respectfully demand more pictures of the vintage Nissan

Here's a few I took 2 years ago. I'll get some more in a few weeks when I'm back at the cabin.

 

[RooflessVW]

I'm pretty sure the DOHC motor will swap right in... GA16DE

 

[Number_35]

Here's a few I took 2 years ago. I'll get some more in a few weeks when I'm back at the cabin.

With the manual transmission, that's worth fixing up.

 

[meep]

3 PEDALS!!!

these are fun to drive! Wouldn’t want to get hit in one, but these are back when they made engines that would run a loooooong time. That stick is elegant too. My roommate had a similar Sentra in college which he bought cheap and put some serious miles on. Fun car!

keep fresh gas and stabil in it if it’s a limited use car. ive returned several varnished carbs into operation, but not that one.

 

[road_rascal]

I think at this point the only option is to do some fabrication. Since the rear struts are still available for the FWD model I'm thinking about having a shop fab a spacer that will go between the lower strut mounts (where they bolt up to the rear axle housing) and then mount the struts on the rear part of the axle housing (I'll have to get longer bolts). It may change the geometry a bit but I'm guessing no more than 1.5-2 inches at the most. The spacer is for rigidity for the struts mount 'ears' and will give a solid base to bolt up to the axle housing. Sounds like a plan or complete trash? I have a feeling that the place I ordered the rear KYB struts from (UK) probably don't have them but I'm hoping.

 

[michaelluscher]

I think at this point the only option is to do some fabrication. Since the rear struts are still available for the FWD model I'm thinking about having a shop fab a spacer that will go between the lower strut mounts (where they bolt up to the rear axle housing) and then mount the struts on the rear part of the axle housing (I'll have to get longer bolts). It may change the geometry a bit but I'm guessing no more than 1.5-2 inches at the most. The spacer is for rigidity for the struts mount 'ears' and will give a solid base to bolt up to the axle housing. Sounds like a plan or complete trash? I have a feeling that the place I ordered the rear KYB struts from (UK) probably don't have them but I'm hoping.

The ones I cross referenced wouldn't fit?
Or is Monroe not up to your standards (I totally understand that)

 

[RooflessVW]

The ones I cross referenced wouldn't fit?
Or is Monroe not up to your standards (I totally understand that)

Those are for a FWD.

 

[road_rascal]

The ones I cross referenced wouldn't fit?
Or is Monroe not up to your standards (I totally understand that)

Yeah- those are FWD only. I'm taking the struts to a fabrication/welding shop tomorrow and see if they can modify the mounting brackets.

 

[road_rascal]

UPDATE: I did manage to find Tokico rear struts from a site called PartSouq in Dubai of all places. I also ordered rear outer CV boots just in case since I can't find them in the US. The parts took about a week to arrive in MN. I haven't had time to install them yet- work has been crazy and we're doing a huge remodeling job on our cabin. I did manage to change the oil and have a battery tender hooked up. If the weather gets a little warmer I may go up and get the rear struts swapped out, otherwise it'll be next spring. I did get personalized plates for Old Blue (my granddaughter loves the show Bluey and she's an Aussie). I also found a fab shop in WI that made lower mounts for the FWD version of the struts as a backup. I'll post photos of those when I get a chance.