ST185s - What to look for

[Caustic Thoughts]

Initially being a big Nissan man, I don't know much about the ST185s, but they have started to grow on me quite a bit and I'm tossing up whether to look at buying one once I retire my current car at some point in the next 12 months.

What sort of things should one look out for when considering one? Are there any common issues you see in these that one would want to watch out for?

[Boosted_162]

With the 3SGTE, mainly noisy bearings on cold start up. They are good engines if looked after. Gearboxes are common as hell to have stuffed synchros. Good ones can be found, but arent common. Clutches take quite alot of labour to replace being a 4WD, so budget that in if the clutch is pretty worn/slipping.

Also look at the firewall where the clutch pedal attaches. Many members have had a tear in the firewall here, i havent personally in any of my 5 ST185s.

Thats most the things i can think of off the top of my head, the problems ive had with my RC arent really common problems

[flygt4]

had one of these for my first car, loved it but it did cost a bit to maintain as i gave it a hard time.would love another one someday.


-rear diff mounts are the most common annoying fault. the bushes wear through, and eventually crack the mount itself. had one of mine come off in 2 pieces.

-the gearbox synchros are rubbish, usually 3rd gear or reverse will show first. its a downward spiral once it starts going as mine went from OK to unchangable over the 2 years i had it. will cost you more than the car to get it fixed properly though so try find one thats not too bad.

-clutchs are either expensive to get someone else to do, or a bit of a mission to do yourself. they are prone to failing if abused as well, the takeup will gradually move to the floor as it wears , so avoid ones with standard clutches that takeup right from the floor. the pedal box also cracks and its a mission to get in and weld it back up.

-turbochargers fail occasionally, they are actually quite small despite the huge housing anyway so its a good excuse to find the later models larger one and fit that. try find one that hasnt been run over 14psi, and if possible that retains the factory turbo VSV which restricts boost when the engine is cold or the air temp is too hot. its a good safety net due to the crappy innefficient intercooler.

-I went through a few wheel bearings and hubs on mine, seems to be a pretty common toyota things for cars of that era. had the front left go a couple of times, unsure if theres a particular reason for that.

-all 3sgte's leak oil somewhere, usually around the cam cover etc. have a good look over the engine for suspect oil leaks etc.


i'm sure theres more but someone else will add extra. they are nice cars to drive, but they are pretty heavy (1450kg) and don't make that much power standard so they aren't the fastest thing around. they are aging now so it hard to find a really tidy one. they are pretty comfortable on long trips though, and we managed to sleep 2 people in mine for a week or so

[Adydas]

If you find a 185 with decent gearbox syncros buy it.. Check powersteering pump as if it hasnt been replaced in anyway it will leak
they seem to be prone to it.

Other than that, check the ovious's when buying any used car.

[B1NZ]

had the front left go a couple of times, unsure if theres a particular reason for that.

Possibly the same reason as the tire blew out?

[flygt4]

had the front left go a couple of times, unsure if theres a particular reason for that.

Possibly the same reason as the tire blew out?

LOL was actually rear left , could have been related to the passenger in that corner though

[Dell'Orto]

Must be you and left front, didnt you replace the LF wheelbearing on the Trueno, and lose the wheel off there too?

[flygt4]

Must be you and left front, didnt you replace the LF wheelbearing on the Trueno, and lose the wheel off there too?

yeah seems to be a recurring theme. i blame our right turning roundabouts, as thats the heaviest loaded wheel when going round them

[RunningRich]

Check powersteering pump as if it hasnt been replaced in anyway it will leak they seem to be prone to it.

They only take an hour or so to rebuild with new seals.

[Adydas]

Yeah its not a problem to rebuild the pumps seals its getting it out of the car thats the issue..

[RunningRich]

Come on, you don't need *all* of your skin *all* of the time.

A ratchet wrench makes removing that damn bolt oh so faster. I remember how long it took 1/12 turn at a time with a normal spanner.