Suspension Replacement
07-08-13, 09:54 PM
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Suspension Replacement
Hey guys, so I am having to replace my struts and shocks and am replacing them with Tokico blues. i have to replace them tomorrow and I was just wondering how difficult it is to replace all 4 and about how long it takes? Also, does anyone have any tutorials or anything on the easiest way to swap the struts/shocks?
I need help ASAP!! any help would be very much appreciated.
I need help ASAP!! any help would be very much appreciated.
07-08-13, 10:38 PM
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rears are very easy, one bolt at the bottom and a pair of nuts at the top, under the interior panel.
fronts require air tools and a spring compressor, although its not hard
the shop manual is at Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
fronts require air tools and a spring compressor, although its not hard
the shop manual is at Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
07-08-13, 11:04 PM
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rears are very easy, one bolt at the bottom and a pair of nuts at the top, under the interior panel.
fronts require air tools and a spring compressor, although its not hard
the shop manual is at Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
fronts require air tools and a spring compressor, although its not hard
the shop manual is at Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
07-09-13, 06:37 AM
#4
The back takes about 5 minutes.
The front can be a little frustrating. In the attached image I have circled a bolt that was impossible to get out on mine. Spent numerous nights/weekends trying to get it. Ended up just cutting it off. Went the junkyard and found 1 rx7 there and got it off in a matter of minutes....figures. Best of luck!
The front can be a little frustrating. In the attached image I have circled a bolt that was impossible to get out on mine. Spent numerous nights/weekends trying to get it. Ended up just cutting it off. Went the junkyard and found 1 rx7 there and got it off in a matter of minutes....figures. Best of luck!
07-09-13, 06:41 AM
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I didn't need air tools for mine. Loosen the front strut top nuts while the car is still on the ground. Since you have air tools, you will have an easier time than I did.
It took me a day to do all four along with the ball joints, control arm bushings, and pitman arm. The back is easy, but here is a tip: When replacing the rear springs, it helps to jack up the opposite side of the axle to increase the gap on the side you are working with. I also disconnected the rear sway bar when doing this. Overall, it was not that bad. I just have basic tools and didn't have any real issues.
Edit: I see your north of the mason-dixon. If it's a southern car, you won't have any issues. Otherwise, it's good you have the air tools.
It took me a day to do all four along with the ball joints, control arm bushings, and pitman arm. The back is easy, but here is a tip: When replacing the rear springs, it helps to jack up the opposite side of the axle to increase the gap on the side you are working with. I also disconnected the rear sway bar when doing this. Overall, it was not that bad. I just have basic tools and didn't have any real issues.
Edit: I see your north of the mason-dixon. If it's a southern car, you won't have any issues. Otherwise, it's good you have the air tools.
Last edited by DerrickS; 07-09-13 at 06:44 AM.
07-09-13, 08:53 AM
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I didn't need air tools for mine. Loosen the front strut top nuts while the car is still on the ground. Since you have air tools, you will have an easier time than I did.
It took me a day to do all four along with the ball joints, control arm bushings, and pitman arm. The back is easy, but here is a tip: When replacing the rear springs, it helps to jack up the opposite side of the axle to increase the gap on the side you are working with. I also disconnected the rear sway bar when doing this. Overall, it was not that bad. I just have basic tools and didn't have any real issues.
Edit: I see your north of the mason-dixon. If it's a southern car, you won't have any issues. Otherwise, it's good you have the air tools.
It took me a day to do all four along with the ball joints, control arm bushings, and pitman arm. The back is easy, but here is a tip: When replacing the rear springs, it helps to jack up the opposite side of the axle to increase the gap on the side you are working with. I also disconnected the rear sway bar when doing this. Overall, it was not that bad. I just have basic tools and didn't have any real issues.
Edit: I see your north of the mason-dixon. If it's a southern car, you won't have any issues. Otherwise, it's good you have the air tools.
so hardly any rust at all anywhere, saw snow once from the guy who brought the car over from Cali and he traded it in for a truck right away.
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07-10-13, 06:29 AM
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Awesome! I had the same experience. My car had 155k on the completely original suspension. It would just crash the bump stops on any bump in the road. Once those shocks and springs were swapped out (RB springs and Tokico Blues) the ride improved tremendously.
07-10-13, 08:26 AM
#9
Respecognize!
The back takes about 5 minutes.
The front can be a little frustrating. In the attached image I have circled a bolt that was impossible to get out on mine. Spent numerous nights/weekends trying to get it. Ended up just cutting it off. Went the junkyard and found 1 rx7 there and got it off in a matter of minutes....figures. Best of luck!
The front can be a little frustrating. In the attached image I have circled a bolt that was impossible to get out on mine. Spent numerous nights/weekends trying to get it. Ended up just cutting it off. Went the junkyard and found 1 rx7 there and got it off in a matter of minutes....figures. Best of luck!
I just did my rears this weekend. All told from start to finsih, with the car already in the air for other reasons. Probably 30 to 40 minutes at a constant, but average pace.
Fronts take more time due to the spring compression and the threaded piece holding the insert.
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