Hey all, I wanted to start a new question related to my suspension issue: https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/front-suspension-damage-866373/

I think I found the problem.

I found the rear bracket (the steel loop that retains the bushing) of the passenger LCA was just very slightly bent in towards the inside of the car. Now I can see why I was getting a pull to the right.

Question: do you think my LCA was damaged? I highly doubt if there is any way to tell because I REALLY had to look hard to tell the bracket was bent. Also, these aluminum LCA's really seem sturdy but want other more experienced opinions.

Thank you,
Ben

 

Lca?

 

im guessing lower control arm. its just a control arm as there is no upper/lower on a FC.

 

Yeah, sorry I am used to my F-body suspension talk.

Control arm.

 

any update on if banging it back out made a difference?

 

I did move the rear bracket of the control arm probably 1/16" and I did the alignment again. Weird as the alignment showed I was biased right again and that is where my car wanders.

On the road, it was not as bad but still wanders. It does not PULL but WANDERS. Meaning that the steering wheel stays in the same position but the whole car will eventually start to move to the right.

I bought a new knuckle and control arm from a junk yard (did I say that right?) and will be installing after I get back in a few weeks. After replacing those items and still issues, I have to look at possible strut tower damage. If so, it will go to a professional shop that handles that sort of stuff.

 

Sounds more like subframe damage than shock tower damage. If the actual subframe is bent I would look toward replacing that with another one.

 

Can you elaborate why you think so? Have you seen this before? I ask because that subframe is damn stiff compared to aluminum control arms and bearing spindles. I never took measurements but I cannot find any damage anywhere and am only guessing at this point. The only real reason I think it is the spindle is because when I rotate the tire there is one area where the brake pad grabs the rotor a VERY small amount more. So this make me think that the spindle is bent.

Further, I now have a very slight vibration. The factory manual points to either the spindle or the ball joint connecting the control arm to the knuckle in this case.