Suspension knocking (with pics!)

[RAW]

Like a lot of other people on here, i have knocking rear suspension on the passenger side. :rolleyes: I have searched the threads and there doesn\'t seem to be a definite cause, so i have taken some photos of the offending arch in the hope that a suspension guru (or someone bored at work) can suggest what may be causing the problem! It also seems that many people don\'t give much info so here goes...
 

The car is a \'94 R2 FD with just 31,000 miles since new. It has GAB adjustable damping with springs that are not height adjustable. I\'m not sure if the springs are GAB too but they are purple under the rust! The car sits LOW! I am currently running the dampers on the softest setting - 1 out of 8. When the car was imported the importer also thought the suspension arms may be uprated but i don\'t know if this is true or not. I have recently had the suspension and wheels aligned.



The noise sounds like someone rattling a plastic object around inside a plastic box under the wheel arch, and is only noticeable at low speed over uneven surfaces. I\'m pretty sure it\'s just the one corner that\'s doing it.
 


The bushes all look ok-no visible signs of perishing, and i have tightened the top mounts and looked at all the other components. There doesn\'t appear to be any obvious leaking from the damper. It\'s the first time i have had a proper look so i don\'t really know what I’m seeing in detail!



Can anyone give me any pointers please before i take a trip to an RX-7 specialist? I don\'t really want to change it as, apart from the money, it handles really well and doesn\'t roll at all in corners, or dive under braking/acceleration. :mmmm
 

[Frankie]

Rich this might help. A guy in the US with similar symptoms to you. It\'s a long thread but he sorted it in the end.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=501032

[RAW]

cheers frankie-he certainly seems to have a lot of knowledge and money to throw at the problem!  i guess i will have to take a closer look at the trailing arm and bolts etc, although i don\'t want to go and tighten things that aren\'t supposed to be tight...

[Bobbit]

Sounds exactly like my prob, turned out to be this bush: (nearest one)

got a spare from re:worx for £35. was a pig to replace but got there in the end (hammer, blow torch, g clamp and patience!)
To check undo the bolt (careful as the break disc drops forward) and see if the bush moves easily, it it does it\'s screwed and needs replacing.
Hope this helps bud.

[RAW]

do you mean this one at the bottom of the pic?...

so if i undo the bolt it shouldn\'t move under force?  it looks off centre and at an angle but i assumed thats because there is no pressure on the suspension.
 
cheers

[Bobbit]

yep thats the one, it should not move very easily at all, mine was so loose it rattled about all over the placed. I got 2 from re:worx and did the other side as well, turned out it was going too!
The fact it\'s off centre is usually due to no load as you said.
try this link when you replace them:
http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/suspension/pillow_balls/index.html
it\'s very useful!

[FD3SNuttah]

undo the anti roll bar mount (you only have to undo the side your working on) and then heat the nuts with a blowtorch and then crack em off.

the spring will need clamping up so you can fit the anti roll bar link again.

good luck man.

[cjr]

your shock has s**t it\'s self there is loads off oil around the spring and shock. The bush still has the dust sheilds on and they do not have oil in them. Sorry but the shock is dead imho

[Jit]

your shock has s**t it\'s self there is loads off oil around the spring and shock. The bush still has the dust sheilds on and they do not have oil in them. Sorry but the shock is dead imho

That might or might not be the case....some of the area of the spring which is wet is in the region on the dust boot which would prevent that area of the spring getting wet if it was a duff shock...

Rich - is the reason its wet there cos you cleaned it?