I'm wanting to r and r my entire suspension on a 1985 rx7. Could someone advise on what I should do. I have never done anything llike this before. thanks.

 

Remove the brake line, 4 nuts on the top, in the Engine bay. Two 17mm underneith and pull the stearing arm. Push down and pull out.

 

Thanks for the tips. Will I need to be concerned with camber, toe or any general alignment issues once I complete the change out?

 

You will need to take it in for an allignment once you finish. By taking them out you screw up all of the settings.

 

Not so. The front struts utilize a top mounting block that has four different camber/caster settings. With the hood open, you can see these top of these blocks sticking out of the strut towers. There is a small arrow embossed on the rubber mounts and so long as you reinstall the blocks with that arrow pointing in the same direction as it was when you pulled it out, your alignment will not change.

 

But the smart money on your first suspension R&R is to get an alignment, yes?

 

If it needs it. So long as the car tracks straight, I'd leave it be. Alignments are expensive.

 

For suspension, it's not bad. If you replace your steering linkage, THEN an alignment is a must.

I had my springs and shocks done last year. When all was said and done the car still tracked straight no problemo. Once I got the steering linkage done this year though, that was a different story.

For alignment, shop around. You only need front wheels done, and some places will JUST do toe-in if your camber and caster are within spec (which they usually are if you measure and take your time). I got mine done in the same afternoon for sixty bucks Canadian at a local SATURN dealership of all places!

For suspension you need a spring compressor for the front, and according to the manual you have to take the hub assembly off, so you need bearing grease and a new grease seal at least. For the rears, you just need an impact, a jack, some jackstands, a partner and a full day to do it right.

We got Eric's rear struts on, we're still working on the rest

Jon

 

Oh.. I forgot to mention. Information is the key to any work on this car. Go buy yourself a Heynes. NOW!. Don't argue, don't make excuses, just do it. The best $20CDN I ever spent on my car.

Then you can also go in the FAQ, and get the chapter from the factory service manual for suspension and read it.

Then you'll be pretty much set

Jon

 

Alignment is like $35 Not so bad.