I was doing the 5-lug conversion on the rear when I noticed that the lateral link was bent (very much so).
Pic:
http://www.rit.edu/~jar5968/RX7bar1.jpg

I replaced it but things still do not look right. The lower control arm end link is at a 25° angle
Pics:
http://www.rit.edu/~jar5968/RX7Ca1.jpg
http://www.rit.edu/~jar5968/RX7Ca2.jpg
http://www.rit.edu/~jar5968/RX7Ca3.jpg

Is that acceptable or is there something wrong?

Thanks,
-Jason

PS: That spry paint is not my handy work. The previous owner did that.

 

bump

 

looking good

 

not really sure pics jsut aren't doing it for me,
sorry Matt22

 

Looks like your lateral link is bent, but I can't see in the other pics what's broken on the subframe or rear A-arms/control arms:

 

Yeah, it does look bent doesn’t it...?

I am using the position of the lower control arm link (or whatever it is called) for reference. My theory is that, if toe is way of, it would be reflected by the position of that link.

So I guess my question is, does the lower control arm link look like it is in the correct position? or should it be more horizontal?

Also, is there any way to remove the lower control arm without dropping the rear sub-frame? I can’t remove the larger bolt because it hits the body.

 

The lateral link bolts are easily accessible if you remove the exhaust piping. The tops of the lateral link should clear the body, but you might have to loosen the subframe & sublink bolts.

The rear A arm / control arm can be removed without dropping the subframe. You'll have to remove everything except the axel halves to get the control arm/A-arm out.

Here's some "before my suspension restore" pics for reference and some "other" pics. The car is NOT under load, so the pieces are not resting in the normal position.

Overcompressed, but they'll do:

 

Cool, that looks about right. Thanks.


As far as removing the A-arm…. The problem I am having is that one of the bolts (see attached) can't be removed because it hits the body of the car.

You can kind of see what I am talking about in the third pic down in the collection you posted above.

 

this is a little off topic but do you know a kid named justin that goes to RIT? He used to own an 87 Turbo II until i bought it off of him.
thanks

 

you have to lower the sub frame for that bolt

 

Not enough clearance:



Getting it back up is work:

 

To get the subframe up like that, you'll need 2 jack stands under the subframe, 2 jacks under the rear A-arms, a wood 1x4 plank to pry with, and another jack to pry on to push the subframe up. You'll also need to pry where the sublink connects to the subframe.