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

FC Front Coilovers and Knuckles help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-03-17, 09:21 PM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
FC Front Coilovers and Knuckles help

Hello,

I am doing the 5 lug conversion and today i finally installed the lower control arm, the mazda 626 ball joint and the FC front suspension.
When i installed everything, it looks like the strut is too far outward when i install the knuckle and it looks very positively cambered even if the wheel was fully loaded.
am i missing something in the strut?
Attached Thumbnails FC Front Coilovers and Knuckles help-thumbnail.jpg  
Old 12-04-17, 04:24 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
tommyeflight89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 696
Received 85 Likes on 60 Posts
I thought the FC front end swap also used the FC front subframe, control arms etc.
Old 12-04-17, 05:14 PM
  #3  
sa7
Senior Member

iTrader: (13)
 
sa7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cape Breton, NS
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
Received 23 Likes on 14 Posts
Pretty sure those who've done this successfully use adjustable lower control arms and camber plates to correct camber.
Old 12-04-17, 07:53 PM
  #4  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
I can understand the camber plates, but the lower adjustable arm i am not so sure. The thread i got the idea from didnt look like they used adjustable lower control arms. Ill try and find the threads. Any other possible idea? Any part i should change in the strut? Any member do this kind of swap? Thanks for the responses.
Old 12-05-17, 11:06 AM
  #5  
Never Follow

iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,305
Likes: 0
Received 67 Likes on 49 Posts
How far off is it when the car is loaded and at ride height? Camber plates might give you enough adjustment. I agree with the above though, adjustable control arms would help here.

I have not personally done the swap as you've done it, I went with the full FC subframe on my Fb's. The FC has a slightly wider track width, so it makes sense that you'd be running into this issue... Sorry I can't be of more help!
Old 12-05-17, 11:30 AM
  #6  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Thanks all for the help. I'll get camber plates and if I need more then I'll go with adjustable lower arms. I hope camber plates fix it and still leaves me some room to.get some neg camber.
Old 12-05-17, 01:56 PM
  #7  
Out In the Barn


iTrader: (9)
 
KansasCityREPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KC
Posts: 6,040
Received 1,012 Likes on 798 Posts
This would be easy to test without the camber plates to see how much adjustment tis possible and if you would need the adjustable arms.

I have these in the for sale section. https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...-rods-1113870/

Old 12-06-17, 09:18 AM
  #8  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by KansasCityREPU
This would be easy to test without the camber plates to see how much adjustment tis possible and if you would need the adjustable arms.

I have these in the for sale section. https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...-rods-1113870/

Can't afford those right now on the budget. Thanks for the thought.

I am think ing the spherical bearing of the camber plates would bring it back to where it needs to be.

Only thing I am still confused on, is that the thread I saw, the person installed everything with no camber plates and it all bolted up. He did say if you slotted the holes to install the fc stut, that you needed to use the fb spring, but I am not sure how that would affect the current issue.
Old 12-06-17, 11:52 AM
  #9  
Out In the Barn


iTrader: (9)
 
KansasCityREPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KC
Posts: 6,040
Received 1,012 Likes on 798 Posts
Do you have a link to the thread you saw this in?
Old 12-08-17, 10:38 AM
  #10  
Senior Member

 
Freeskier7791's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Clemmons, NC
Posts: 749
Received 34 Likes on 28 Posts
Did you rotate your tophat to the most inward position?
Old 12-08-17, 09:51 PM
  #11  
Full Member

iTrader: (2)
 
sommmatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Posts: 163
Received 16 Likes on 10 Posts
Just looking at that picture, the strut needs to be way, way shorter or the control arm way, way longer. Looks like the strut is right on top of where the sway bar would be mounted anyway. I'd recommend borrowing an FC coilover (or taking the spring off your current strut) to see if you can get it reasonable.
Old 12-10-17, 12:13 PM
  #12  
Always Wanting to Learn

iTrader: (49)
 
DreamInRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cambridge, Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts








Old 12-10-17, 12:13 PM
  #13  
Always Wanting to Learn

iTrader: (49)
 
DreamInRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cambridge, Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
That is the first I had ever heard of this, figured I should screenshot each and every step.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:14 AM.