240Z / 260Z / 280Z

1969-1978 / Coupe / Japan

All 240Z / 260Z / 280Z problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension

Worn Bushings (All Suspension Points)

Symptoms

Vague steering, clunking over bumps, wandering at highway speed, uneven tyre wear.

Cause

Every rubber bushing in the suspension is original and has exceeded its service life many times over. The control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, strut top mounts, and rear trailing arm bushings all deteriorate with age.

Fix

Replace all suspension bushings.

A complete polyurethane bushing kit is available from companies like Energy Suspension and SuperPro ($400-800 for a full car set).

This is a significant job, allow a weekend for a complete suspension refresh including new ball joints, tie rod ends, and shock absorbers.

The result is transformative: a Z-car with fresh bushings handles like a completely different car.

Cost mentioned in fix

$400-800 for a

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// More 240Z / 260Z / 280Z problems

Other known issues

Minor Rust

Structural Rust, Floors, Sills, Strut Towers

Perforations in the floor pans, sill (rocker panel) box sections, and front strut tower mounting points. In advanced cases, the floorboard flexes underfoot, the sills crumble when prodded, and the strut towers crack under suspension load.

Common Rust

Battery Tray Corrosion

The battery tray (right-hand side of engine bay on RHD cars) corrodes and eventually perforates. Rust spreads into the inner guard and firewall.

Common Rust

Spare Wheel Well Rust

The floor of the boot around and beneath the spare wheel well rusts through. Water pooling is visible in the boot.

Common Rust

Rear Quarter Panel Rust

Rust appears behind the rear wheels, often starting as bubbles under the paint and progressing to perforations.

Common Engine

SU Carburettor Wear and Tuning Issues (240Z, 260Z)

Poor idle, hesitation on acceleration, rich or lean running, black smoke, poor fuel economy, difficult starting. The engine may run well at some RPMs but poorly at others.

Common Engine

Fuel Injection Faults (280Z)

Hard starting (especially cold), rough idle, hesitation, rich or lean running, stalling. The engine management warning light may illuminate.

View all 17 240Z / 260Z / 280Z problems