Ok, what's the name of the part @ the bottom of the strut. Right where the strut tube goes in. Does the strut come apart right there? Also how do you take the strut cartridge out? Special tools? Dangerous?

Hi no,
You remove the strut insert by compressing the spring, undoing the top, removing the spring and then undoing the flat hex nut on top of the strut tube. If you have the original inserts they'll be valved and sitting in oil. If they are newish they'lll probably be cartridges - oil or gas. Be careful with the compressed spring - if your compressor tool slips when the top plate is removed it'll turn anything it hits a deep purple colour.

only special tool is the spring compressing tool which look like 2 hooks with a theaded bolt between them. Can be found at most automotive stores in the tool section at reasonable price. Good luck be brave and have fun in your Datsun

I really need to know if the 1200 strut tube separates (w/ a press?) from the part @ the bottom of the strut (hub?) The FWD Datsuns tend to have a "clamp" w/ two bolts 2 the bottom of the strut, allowing the strut unit to come out. The reason I ask is the shorter strut "tubes" on a F10/310 have a similar diameter to my 1200 sedan strut tube. (any proper definitions welcome) It looks like the F10/310 struts(much shorter) should fit. IF the 1200 struts separate from that bottom piece.

......Ok this pic shows what I want. Too expensive to ship to US. But, does that bottom piece (hub?) separate from strut?

The hub is pressed onto the strut tower and welded so it can't be removed. Why do you want to remove this piece?

Because the F10/310 strut is shorter overall & appears to be the same diameter as 1200. If this is true, swap them for a lowered ride. If they're pressed & welded, what are my chances of grinding the weld & unpressing? It seems plausable.

The 1200 and F10/310 use the same diameter strut cartridge. I have done this trick. It makes a really short strut.

Instead of trying to put the 1200 spindle on the 310 struts it is much easier to just shorten the 1200 strut to match the 310 cartridge. Cut the top of the 1200 strut off just below the threads. Then cut off more of the 1200 strut, length to be removed determined by measuring the difference in length between the 1200 and 310 strut. Measure the inside of the strut from the bottom where the cartridge will sit to the top of the strut threads. Have someone with a MIG welder weld the strut tops back on.

Do the cutting with a tubing cutter, the kind with a sharp cutter wheel and 2 rollers that you rotate around the tube. These make a nice clean cut that is quite square with the tubing

You may want to put a spacer in the bottom of the 1200 strut so as to not make it quite so short. When using 310 cartridges in cut down 1200 struts, the front suspension was only compressed 2.5" at the chosen ride height. At this ride height the front cross member was only 2" off the ground. With 6" of travel the frame will hit the ground before the bump stops hit.

Here is another trick that will make a short strut and give you bigger brakes. The outside diameter of the 1200 strut tubing is really close to the inside diameter of the 1979+ 210/510 strut tubing. Score a pair of 210 struts, cut the tops out of them just above the spring pearch. Cut the top of the 1200 strut tube off. You can slide the 1200 strut tubing inside the 210 tubing. Last time I did this it was a perfect friction fit. Adjust the length to match the 310 cartridge and have the strut welded.

This will give you really short struts with 10" disk brakes. The 210 lower controll arm will bolt in, the radius rod will have to be shortened to fit the 1200. Use the 1200 strut bearings or drill out the 3 mounting holes and use the 210 strut bearings. Either one will work. The 210 strut conversion increases the front track 1.5"

Hope this helps!

Gary

Bingo! I'm off to buy a welder. Any one have an idea what make & model I should look for? And type. By the way, I saw it somewhere, someone threaded the strut tube so as to have adjustable struts. I'll keep searching for the info. Thanks again.

Quote:

Why ship when you can just buy them here? Several companies sell kits to do this to your strut.