JoshuaCJCohen
New member
Hi,
I live in Japan and have a 1997 3.0L Diesel Turbo Surf, VIN KZN185 with the 1KZ engine.
Coming down a wet hill I dropped it from Drive to 2 in order to avoid riding the brakes all the way. Unfortunately I was going too fast when I did this, caused some engine braking, and lost traction with the road.
The car started a slow skid to the left and I turned with it. I ended up hitting the far side curb going almost completely laterally after completing a 180 resulting in both left wheels hitting the curb at the exact same time.
The results were both tires separated from the rim and flat and the rims and deflated tires up on the sidewalk. Luckily there was a curb (and not a ditch) and no cars or people were coming up the other lane. Rear rim was cracked at the very edge where it hit the curb and there appears to be no impact damage to the front rim. Rear tire was chewed up from trying to get the Surf onto the flatbed tow truck.
I bought a used tire and had the mechanic put it on the front rim and used the spare for the rear wheel. Slight drive revealed a very noticeable wobble and bumping, supposedly from the left rear. Mechanic tells me it is most likely the left axle shaft being bend or warped.
He says I can either replace the left side or the whole axle. He says he prefers to replace just the left side. I guess if you are familiar with the process it isn't as daunting at it seems to me. On the other hand, I would prefer to replace the whole axle as that is something I can do with a friend.
Unfortunately, and unbelievably, finding a surf in one of the many junk yards here has proved difficult. After calling and visiting over 15 yards I finally found someone who said he has three; two still have their rear axles. Unfortunately they are from 1994 and 1993. One is a KZN130 and I don't know what the other is but they both have the rear shock absorbers behind the axle housing while my KZN185 has the shock absorbers in front of the housing. From what I gathered the KZN185 is a 3.58 ration, 2 pinion, open differential (Ratio I understand to be engine speed vs axle speed but I really don't know what the pinion and open differential means.)
I have done some research and gotten help from another site and found out the RZN185 has a 3.15 ration (not helpful) and a 2 pinion, open differential.
The VZN185 has a 3.58 ration (helpful) but a 4 pinion, open differential.
I believe this means I could not use a rear axle from either of these models, even if I could find them, which so far, I can't.
That leads me to believe I have to either replace the left side with new OEM parts or used parts from a 1st or 2nd Gen Surf, as that is all I can find here.
What I have not been able to determine so far is whether or not the left side axle and other parts from a different Gen and model will work with the KZN housing and differential. I have found site to order the seals and replace those consumables but I can't determine if the axle from another model will fit.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Standing by for questions. I have pictures if needed. Thank you in advance.
Take care,
Josh
I live in Japan and have a 1997 3.0L Diesel Turbo Surf, VIN KZN185 with the 1KZ engine.
Coming down a wet hill I dropped it from Drive to 2 in order to avoid riding the brakes all the way. Unfortunately I was going too fast when I did this, caused some engine braking, and lost traction with the road.
The car started a slow skid to the left and I turned with it. I ended up hitting the far side curb going almost completely laterally after completing a 180 resulting in both left wheels hitting the curb at the exact same time.
The results were both tires separated from the rim and flat and the rims and deflated tires up on the sidewalk. Luckily there was a curb (and not a ditch) and no cars or people were coming up the other lane. Rear rim was cracked at the very edge where it hit the curb and there appears to be no impact damage to the front rim. Rear tire was chewed up from trying to get the Surf onto the flatbed tow truck.
I bought a used tire and had the mechanic put it on the front rim and used the spare for the rear wheel. Slight drive revealed a very noticeable wobble and bumping, supposedly from the left rear. Mechanic tells me it is most likely the left axle shaft being bend or warped.
He says I can either replace the left side or the whole axle. He says he prefers to replace just the left side. I guess if you are familiar with the process it isn't as daunting at it seems to me. On the other hand, I would prefer to replace the whole axle as that is something I can do with a friend.
Unfortunately, and unbelievably, finding a surf in one of the many junk yards here has proved difficult. After calling and visiting over 15 yards I finally found someone who said he has three; two still have their rear axles. Unfortunately they are from 1994 and 1993. One is a KZN130 and I don't know what the other is but they both have the rear shock absorbers behind the axle housing while my KZN185 has the shock absorbers in front of the housing. From what I gathered the KZN185 is a 3.58 ration, 2 pinion, open differential (Ratio I understand to be engine speed vs axle speed but I really don't know what the pinion and open differential means.)
I have done some research and gotten help from another site and found out the RZN185 has a 3.15 ration (not helpful) and a 2 pinion, open differential.
The VZN185 has a 3.58 ration (helpful) but a 4 pinion, open differential.
I believe this means I could not use a rear axle from either of these models, even if I could find them, which so far, I can't.
That leads me to believe I have to either replace the left side with new OEM parts or used parts from a 1st or 2nd Gen Surf, as that is all I can find here.
What I have not been able to determine so far is whether or not the left side axle and other parts from a different Gen and model will work with the KZN housing and differential. I have found site to order the seals and replace those consumables but I can't determine if the axle from another model will fit.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Standing by for questions. I have pictures if needed. Thank you in advance.
Take care,
Josh
