Disturbing supension noises

[Don Pamponi]

My 1st gen is making a weird banging noise (near side front shock/spring area) every time i go over a bump.  Thought it was id left the bonnet open or something at first.

Anyone know what this might be?  Has anyone else experienced similar noises?

[Gman]

It was like it when i had it.  I thought it was a knackered suspension arm.

[MikeLMR]

check the idler arm bushes for the steering.  Its on the opposite side to the steering box and basically a mirror image of it without the steering gear... could be why your steering is bad too.

Mike

[Don Pamponi]

Ive really got to get hold of a manual, do haynes do one?

[Gman]

Yes its the light blue coloured rx7 one (like u need to know what colour it is!) just had a look for my old one but i think it was thrown away.

[MikeLMR]

yes Haynes do one ... they are for the US version but its still pretty good (been using mine today, although I do tend to stray from the book as they tend to tell you how to do somthing the hard way !)

Theres usually a few on Ebay, I have two ... a mucky one for using while working on the car and a clean one for reference (got a free one with a parts car)

Mike

[MikeLMR]

also have you seen this site ? //www.iluvmyrx7.com

its has some manuals ( I think they are Mitchels ones) for the 1st gen online !

[Don Pamponi]

Cheers Ill check it out.

These idler arm bushes - what do they do?  Are they easy to change, or is it a trip to the mechanic?

(I dont have a garage or a pit)

[MikeLMR]

the idler arm is part of the steering and is supporting the bar that goes underneath your engine from the steering box to the passenger side of the car. The idler arm is on the passenger side and the bushes are the part that act like a bearing allowing it to move.

They are only made of plastic and so they wear out which cause the passenger side wheel to move and make a knocking noise when going over bumps. (it also makes the steering more vauge)

If you turn the steering wheel to full right lock and have a look at the rear of the passenger wheel (will need to lie on the floor) follow the steering arm back towards the car and the idler arm is attached to it (just behind a plastic flap on the chassis rail)

Mike

[Don Pamponi]

Right, I know what you\'re talking about now. Found diagrams from the manual on the ilovemyrx7 site.  (ooo, just got a sub7 virus alert message- something nasty stalking this round site)

After reading the fault finding bit it seems likely that i need new bushes all round and a steering overhall.

Oh well at least it starts & goes well since the new starter + battery. (£160 and a morning swearing in the rain)

Thanks for the advice Mike.

Oh, do you think Superflex bushes are any good?  They do all the RX& ones.  Bit pricey tho.

[MikeLMR]

superflex is VERY expensive ... I got a set of front end bushes from PST in the states ... not fitted them all yet as the bushes are OK on mine at the moment, but they are well rated in the US and are a LOT cheaper than superflex ones (+ they are polygraphite ones which aren\'t meant to squeak)

Mike

[Don Pamponi]

Aha, so where can one aquire these magic beans, I mean bushes my good man?

[Don Pamponi]

By the way, are you running on Minilites?  They look good.  Easy to clean - mine are a bugger.

[MikeLMR]

from PST in the USA http://www.p-s-t.com/

no I\'m not running minilites ... they are compomotive ML\'s ... I\'ve never got the mucky enough to have to clean them yet

[Don Pamponi]

Cheers Mike, im contacting them tonight.

Their front end kit sound groovey.