I'm trying to remove my front bumper and I've come into a bit of a problem that I'm sure will continue on throughout my total car restore. What is the size of the nuts holding the bumper pistons to the car? I don't exactly have a complete set of ratchets or wrenches and if I do, they're spread out throughout my garage. I'm intending on buying my own kit, but probably should consider what I need to have. So far, I've noticed most of the nuts and bolts I've removed are metric.
Furthermore, I'm sorry if this sounds like a completely noob question. I don't deny it, I am just starting out without any previous experience. This website and a few uncles who live far far away are my only resource for information.

 

Welcome Mark-
you don't (and need to for tech Qs) ID what year of 7 you have. Bumper nuts/bolts likely 12 mm.
BUT before you bury yourself in a disassembly you should have the following:
-ziplock bags and a felt pen: hardware you remove should be put in bags related to THAT part (eg "bumper piston nuts") and LABELED! and taped to the removed item.
-metric wrenches and sockets as follows: 8, 10, 12, 14, 17mm; 3/8 ratchet with long and short extensions. That's kind of the MINIMUM you will need.
-digital camera: photograph components IN PLACE so you have some clue as how they re-assemble.
It all looks straight forward when you have just pulled it apart, but trust me, a few weeks/mo later you WILL be scratching your head wondering HTF it goes back together!
-Shop manual. factory is best. There are numerous sources on-line to get a PDF version for free BUT you really need a real book with you at the car to be useful. Clymers and Haynes have good manuals too. All are available regularly on ebay for $10-25.
Finally - READ THRU THE ARCHIVES HERE - anything that has been done to an RX7 is likely there. Fabulous resource.

Good luck
Stu Aull
80 GS
Alaska

 

Are you kidding? With a 10, 12, and 14 along with a Philips he can get 80 percent of the car apart!

 

Wow thanks for the fast reply. It's a 1983 and yes, I've started to organize my nuts and bolts since I took apart my dash. I realized how terrifying this process is gonna be if I become disorganized. I intend on buying a ratchet set later today.

 

if you can swing it a 1/4" ratchet and 10,12,14mm sockets make working on these much much easier.

in the old days we used to bad each section of parts, but taking pics helps too

 

[QUOTE=7aull;10217018]Welcome Mark-
you don't (and need to for tech Qs) ID what year of 7 you have. Bumper nuts/bolts likely 12 mm.
BUT before you bury yourself in a disassembly you should have the following:
-ziplock bags and a felt pen: hardware you remove should be put in bags related to THAT part (eg "bumper piston nuts") and LABELED! and taped to the removed item.
-metric wrenches and sockets as follows: 8, 10, 12, 14, 17mm; 3/8 ratchet with long and short extensions. That's kind of the MINIMUM you will need.
-digital camera: photograph components IN PLACE so you have some clue as how they re-assemble.
It all looks straight forward when you have just pulled it apart, but trust me, a few weeks/mo later you WILL be scratching your head wondering HTF it goes back together!
-Shop manual. factory is best. There are numerous sources on-line to get a PDF version for free BUT you really need a real book with you at the car to be useful. Clymers and Haynes have good manuals too. All are available regularly on ebay for $10-25.
Finally - READ THRU THE ARCHIVES HERE - anything that has been done to an RX7 is likely there. Fabulous resource.

this is the truth youll be like wtf for the longest time

 

Guilty over here

The only difference was instead of placing the nuts and bolts in a zip lock bag,i place them back on to the car or to the associated part with lots of wd40






P.S don't forget to place those parts on a neat pile

 

if you only pulling off the bumper, there's two 14mm bolts underneath and some 10mm's along the lower edge