Does a 2nd gen have struts both front and rear?

I hate to admit it, but I don't actually know what constitutes a strut.

 

yes they do.

a mcpherson strut is a shock absorber that has a spring perch and spring integrated into the shock itself.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the proper explanation - I was having trouble finding one that made sense online.

Looks like it's really easy to remove the struts on these cars, no spring compressor needed, right?

 

you only need a spring compressor if you plan to replace either the spring or the shocks. no compressor needed to pull the strut out of the car, no.

 

and if you can push down enough[and have a friend nearby to put the nut on] you don't even need the compressors to put the stock spring back on.. RB [1" drop] springs don't even need you to compress it to get it back together..
Though, be careful. ^_^

 

^^ That's a strut in Derekcat's sig

(The thing with the red spring on it)

 

Yes McPherson strut up front with Chapman strut in the rear. Both have concentric mounted springs. The difference between the two designs is the the McPherson also acts as the upper control arm in the front suspension.

See the attached photos.

 

Uh, it absolutely does NOT have a Chapman strut in the rear.
It's called a strut when it takes side loads, and it necessary to "locate" the wheel. The rear suspension on an FC is a semi trailing arm. Front is a MacPherson strut.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapman_strut

 

You are correct, I was confusing it with the rear strut on the S30 Datsun cars (240Z-280Z).