My 79 has a clunk in the rear when going over bumps. I think it’s the strut bump stop or bushing.
I see parts for the front, nothing I can find for the rear.
Suggestions?

 

No struts on the rear, just shocks and springs. If you hear clunks, you can check to make sure the bump stops are still there and also see if the shocks are working. The other thing to check is t he watts linkage bushings and the sway bar linkage (if you have a rear sway bar).

 

I see you joined in 2002, so that means you've had the car for 23 years? DId this bumping just start? On my car, it always had the bump problem. My car was bought used, and was put together from 2 other cars. The bumping in my car's case was the driveshaft hitting the parking brake cable bracket.

It's an uncommon problem because I took it to 3 rx-7 specific garages, and they were dumb founded. After decades, the problem's cause became obvious.

 

I’ve been around a long time and have had several of these cars. I’ve had this one 2 years, it’s been in various stages of restoration. Just recently started driving it and noticed these issues.
Is there any reason to replace the springs if I replace the shocks?
Thanks for the responses!

 

There is no reason to replace the springs just because you're doing the shocks. They're completely separate systems, and you can do the shocks without touching the springs. If you DO decide to do the springs (*just because), do all 4 or the car will be both stinkbug as to fore / aft level and handle weirdly because the spring rates, front to back are imbalanced compared to your old, sagging springs being replaced. Case in point, when I installed Racing Beat lowering springs on my old 80LS, it actually RAISED the car by 1/2". The original springs were worn out...

While you're under there, check the bump stops are present and also rattle the shock bodies around a bit to see if the mount nuts have come loose. Equally, give the trailing links a good shove and see if you can replicate the noise. Sway Bar end links and mount posts can also rust through, allowing play in certain situations. Lastly, check the rear U-joint for any play as I've had them make occasional clunks just before then start to make continuous clunks. Good luck,

 

I had a clunk one time that I traced to a loose rear bumper. There are a couple places to check. The nuts where the bumper shock attaches to the rear body. The 4 nuts under the access covers in the rear hatch area, that anchor the other end of the bumper shock. And finally, if everything else is secure, the 4 bolts that mount the bumper shock to the inner bumper support. Some disassembly required here.

A simple firm grip on the bumper assembly and some up and down pressure should tell you pretty quick is any one of these areas have slop.