well, today was the day I decided to attack the front suspension. After having read loads of threads, the place where I though i was going to get stuck was removing the control arm from the sub frame. But lo and behold it came off first time ! Though it was going to be a breeze from then on. BUT...where i did get stuck was the bloody tire rod end. that rod was solid...took me a whole hour to free it. So after 4 hours of work this afternoon I replaced the

1) tie rod end
2) control arm (with ball joint)
3) brake rotor
4) sway bar bushing
5) wheel bearings

both the inner and outer wheel bearing has a cup that needs to be knocked into the brake rotor. that process took a while. also, i had to clean the brake rotor cos it was full of that stuff they use to package it.

you had to see the parts that came off. The bearings were shot. the boots of the tie rod end and the ball joint were broken and there was no grease for those joints.

Unfortunately I couldn't get around to the other side today...will leave that for tomorrow or next saturday. once the other side is done, i'm going to take it for wheel alingnment, then my baby will be 'tight' again.

I recommend you guys do this bit of diy to your cars. The parts are relatively inexpensive...you just need the space to do the work, couple of hours, some tools, and an understanding wife/girl friend.......yes...i get this all the time....'if only you spend that sort of money on me that you spend on your rx7....if only you spend as much time with me as you do on your rx7....you love your rx7 more than you love me.....why don't you take as much care of me as you do that rx7'

 

Nice,
Don't forget to check your idler arm when u do the other side....
Scott

 

Yep I just completed my suspension overhaul around Labor Day and what a difference it made to my FB. I still need to install the strut rod tension bushings but the rain keeps delaying the process.