1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Car jerks to the side when hitting bumps

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 6, 2017 | 07:14 PM
  #1  
Kevin Crawford's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Deltona, Flordia
Car jerks to the side when hitting bumps

I purchased a 1st gen rx7 throughout the past couple of months off a member on here and have been fixing small things with it. When I am going around 30mph or faster when hitting bumps my car jerks to the side. I am a bit confused on what it could be. The car also feels like it has a large dead spot in the steering wheel, I am wondering if it is somehow related to this problem. The car has racing beat springs and shock upgrades, would the car being lowered have anything to do with it? It is racing beat springs, I think the drop is like 1 inch and i have read about bump steer being a big problem with these cars because of the suspension design.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2017 | 07:23 PM
  #2  
Vinny1985's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 5
From: Idaho
sounds like you have loose steering check the Pittman and idler arm for play
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2017 | 08:20 PM
  #3  
Kdo58's Avatar
1985 rx7 GS
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 94
Likes: 11
From: Puyallup
Idler arm to start off with, problay need to check all your steering parts.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2017 | 10:09 AM
  #4  
t_g_farrell's Avatar
Waffles - hmmm good
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,250
Likes: 464
From: Lake Wylie, N.C.
You only get bad bumpsteer when lowering more than 2 inches I think. The RB sp[rings really don't lower it much because the stock ones were sagging before I would imagine. I have RB springs and actually cut of one round on all 4 to get about 3/4 inch drop, no bumpsteer issues.

I'm with others on this, you may need to completely go through your suspension to freshen things to fix this all up.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2017 | 12:19 PM
  #5  
RXTbone's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
Likes: 2
From: Kansas
Alignment issues will also cause this...
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2017 | 10:17 AM
  #6  
Vinny1985's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 5
From: Idaho
i'm in "suspense" (see what i did there...) have you pinpointed the issue?
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2017 | 01:54 PM
  #7  
Kevin Crawford's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Deltona, Flordia
I have did alittle bit of research and ordered some upgraded control arms/ ball joints and a moog heavy duty idler arm. I will replace everything at once and then do an alignment right after. I have been working on installing fender flares on it in the mean time. I am having a bit of rubbing issues and figured I would focus on this until the replacement parts come in.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2017 | 03:07 PM
  #8  
Joekaistoe's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 109
Likes: 26
From: Saskatchewan
I was just reading about this. What you describe can be caused by bent linkages (centre link, tie rods) or poor alignment of the steering linkages. Make sure your tie rods are parallel to your control arms when loaded.

If your idler arm was removed and not installed in the same location, it can cause this too.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2017 | 11:33 PM
  #9  
BASTARD's Avatar
®
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
could be any number of things...

Steering box
Idler arm
tie rods
control arm bushings
bad strut

or maybe its just bump steer
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2017 | 04:02 PM
  #10  
jetlude's Avatar
BadAss DoItYourselfer
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 870
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
How are your shocks?
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2017 | 08:38 PM
  #11  
Kevin Crawford's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Deltona, Flordia
The shocks are brand new, the koni yellows can be a little stiff at times but around corners they are planted. I will install new control arms tomorrow pending on how the weather goes and let you guys know what happens.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:11 AM.