Hello Fellas,

I was out inspecting some things on the project car the other day and was checking out a bad lugnut I have. My front right brake disc has one of the threads stripped out for the lugs so I'm gonna replace it when I get my parts car tomorrow. Anyway, I also noticed that when I spin the front wheels there is a rough spot in both of them. It happens in the same place all the time and is in the same place on both of the wheels, (symmetrically with respect to the front of the car.) I am inexperienced with suspension & steering components but I will be learning soon enough. What could be making a rough spot in the rotation of the wheels like this?

I'm picking up my parts car tomorrow and I'm going to strip off everything I need. I want to get the front right brake disc off it because of the bad threads on my good car. Can the wheel rotation problem be fixed by cabbaging something off the parts car or do I have a bad bushing or something somewhere that is going to require brand new parts? I have attached a picture showing where the rough spot in the wheel's rotation occurs. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am totally in the dark here. Thanks in advance guys!

 

Sounds like a wheel bearing - that may have scored the spindle...

 

What is scoring the spindle? Does that mean it's ruined? Can wheel bearings be reused or repacked, or is this one probably ruined? If the spindle is scored will it screw up the bearings on both wheels? I'm ignorant!!

 

Not sure about scoring and such, but I believe it's a bad idea to try to reuse the bears. They're not too terribly expensive, and you'll be a lot better off if ya just do them new anyway.

If you pull the bearings out you should be able to see if they're in bad condition or if the problem might be elsewhere.

 

i would check the bearings as well. the spindle being scored is a result of faulty bearings and neglect from changing the bearings.

 

I looked through the Haynes for a while but couldn't find any information about the bearings. Where are the bearings located? Any advice on how to remove them effectively? What should I look for to tell if they are good or bad? Just check if they are the correct shape? Please forgive the ignorance...

 

As you rotate the wheel/rotor/disc is there any drag noise like the brakepads may be rubbing the brake rotor/disc ?

If this car has been sitting for a while it is possible that the brake pads have left residue (sp) on the rotors/discs & that is giving you the rough spot & maybe makes a noise as rotor/disc residue rotates past the pads.

David

 

OK. I would just repack the bearings. To take them off. (lets see if i can explain this.) remove your caliper, and hang it from a piece of wire or something(jus dont hang it from the brake line). Next, remove the dust cap(little metal dome at the middle of the wheel. NOw there should be a castle nut with a cotter pin through it. take out the cotter pin, and then the castle nut. there should be a big washer, and behind that should be your outer bearing. take it out. Now, this is gonna be hard to explain. put the castle nut back on the spindle, just a couple of turns. now grab your rotor, and pull it out until it hits the castle nut. now pull the rotor, hard and quick, down and out. this should take out your inner bearing, and a little rubber ring which is your bearing seal, and leave them hanging on your spindle. clean them real good, get a repacker, get DISK BRAKE grease, put in your grease gun, and repack them.

 

Just anote, ive never actually done the bearings on a 7, but ive done a dozen or so other cars, and they've all been basicly the same.

 

in the hanyes its on page 140 about the brake system.

and you can get a new set of bearings for both sides and wheel seal for around $35-45 and just get some good grese and pack them real good. replace and done.

 

Replace the bearings. No biggie.

If spindles are shot, they have to be replaced, too. You'll need some help on that one, probably. A front end shop. Pneumatic tools and a press are probably required. I'm no 1G expert. Just relying on my old auto shop experiences.

 

Just replace the bearings. I don't think they cost too much and it is not much harder than repacking. You will need a drift though to get the race out of the brake rotor. If you have any questions go to the FSM
http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/85_manual.html
This is an excellent site and it has great instructions.