as i was going through the Archive section reading all that i can read about my RX-7 i stumble across something in a post about small/large axle that the axles in the SA cars were the same length.

So if that is true, I am currently looking for a right axle, if i swapped the backing plate from a right axle to a left axle (which i have a coupe of) would that work?

basically if both axles were sitting there bare, is there any difference between the left and the right?

 

What car/axles are you working with? All of the 1st gen 7s had the same axle between the right and left sides.

Billy (re-speed.com on the quote) is pointing out that you need to be careful on the older cars (rx-2, rx-3) because those cars had a right axle and a left axle.

 

it's a 82 with rear discs. i kind of answered my own question by putting a right and a left axleside by side. the only difference i found was the location of the brake line mount on the backing plate. even the backing plates are the exact same shape.

what i was trying to avoid was having to buy a right axle. I have one now that the stud holes are all jacked up so i'm just going to now use my spare left axle and put the right backing plate on it.

i just wanted to confirm that with people that know a lot more about these cars then i do.

 

Yes, same part left to right as far as axles on all first gens. Just swap the backing plate. This means removing the wheel bearing and bearing retainer. You will need new bearing and retainer since these should never be re-used.

-billy

 

good to know thanks.

really it's my spare axle for my rally car. if that moment ever comes i'm just going to hack off the brake line tab and weld it in the other spot rather then swapping backing plates.

much cheaper that way.

 

I doubt that will work due to the cut outs on the backing plate to fit around the calipers. On the drum brake backing plate, it's a definite no.

 

then you tell me which one is the left and which one it the right. and i swear there is a right and left axle there.

 

It's easier to tell the difference with the drum brake backing plates due to how the e-brake cable goes in. On the disc plates, it's where the bracket for the brake line, going from the hard to the soft line, is the different. If you turn those axles around 180*, then take the pic, you sill see the difference.

 

i know about the brake line bracket and if all hell breaks loose (i break an axle) i will just cut the bracket off and weld it in the right spot. doing it that way saves me from having to get new bearings, a new collar and having it all pressed on. these are just my spares, lets all cross our fingers that i will never need them.

 

Yep, that should work.