galbreathn2

I've got a bent spindle on my '81. I finally got the new part from a junk yard 3 states away in the mail today. They would only mail the entire strut/spring assembly, not just the strut mount. Comparing them, everything is identical except the spring on the "new" one has more turns and the metal looks a little thicker, so I don't think it's wrong to assume it's stiffer than the one I have. Have I stumbled upon an old aftermarket spring? The junk yard part is from a 1980 RX7, but I've never seen or heard of any indication that the springs were any different between years.

Obviously, I'm going to install the spring and strut from my car, so it stays matched with the other side, but should I call the junk yard back for the other spring? I've been thinking about getting stiffer springs after I get everything back up to stock condition. Is there any way to identify the spring or where it came from?

Joe428

Well, the 79-80 tube is a different length than the 81-85 so it would not be wise to mix and match from one side to the other. Don't think it would actually effect ride hight but still isn't ideal as the shocks are different lengths. I remember my stock 79 springs looked different than the stock ones on my replacement 85 struts so that may be the same difference you are seeing between 80 and 81.

LongDuck

Also, the 79/80 had different strut top mounts than later models; on the early ones, the top of the mount did not turn, and relied on the strut rod within the strut to rotate when needed. Later model years 81+ used a top mount designed to rotate.

If all you needed was the spindle, I'd take everything off of the old unit and put it on the new spindle and tube and go from there. Mix and match of parts is likely to get you weird handling characteristics.

galbreathn2

That was the plan, just to take everything out of the strut with the bad spindle, and put it in the housing with the good spindle. I can't get the bolt off the top of either one, though. The junkyard part has a really rusty bolt, and the old one, as you said, spins when I try to take the bolt off. There's nothing to grip it by except the strut itself, and I don't want to ruin the surface by trying to grab it with something.

project7s

iTrader: (5)

The 79-80 strut housing is longer than the 81-85 suit strut housing as well meaning if your going to use your old strut cartridge in the new housing it won't work with out using a stack of washers in the strut tube about a half inch thick.
Also because one side is longer than the other it will cause one side to hit the bump stops on the 80 side first.
Been there done that.
If it were me I would send the 80 strut back and find one from a 81-83 or 84-85 depending on it you have a small or large wheel bearings on the other side.