2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

How To: Build a lower arm bar for under $15

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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 02:10 PM
  #76  
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From: Jackson
Hey, if Black91n/a is selling these I'll purchase one too. How much shipped and painted same color as yours? I love the Electric Blue type color.
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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 03:56 PM
  #77  
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I'll build them...

It'll cost you one hundred billion dollars! Muahahahahaha!

Seriously though, I don't have the facilities to do this now, besides it's not hard for you to do yourself.

An aluminum square tube would probably work just fine, I admit that the aluminum bar wasn't the best idea, way too flexy, but it shows that there are deflections there worth bracing against. The steel has held up just fine, and is VERY rigid, and will support the bearing loads better as well. The weight penalty is minimal and it's very low in the car, so there's no real benefit with going with aluminum, but it'll come at the cost of rigidity.

You could quite easily make a couple brackets to weld to the stock bushing clamp, but I don't have a welder and couldn't afford to be without the car while the welders did the work on it, so that wasn't an option. But if you have access to a welder or can have the suspension apart while you get it welded by someone else, then by all means do it that way, it'll be stiffer.
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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 04:51 PM
  #78  
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From: Austria
Originally Posted by dDuB
Yes.



whats the "cheapest" place to get this bar? *WONDERFULL* *loveit*
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Old Feb 4, 2007 | 01:06 AM
  #79  
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Obviously, mazdaspeed FTW when $$$ is not a problem...

but on a budget, the DIY lower arm bar or himni racing lower arm bar are the best options.

I'm skeptical as to which is more significant to increasing the handling... the lower arm bar with two pivot joints (DIY, cusco, or mazdaspeed), or one that has no pivot points? No pivot points -> himni racing bar
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Old Feb 14, 2007 | 06:50 PM
  #80  
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From: Renton/Bellevue/Seattle WA
Hello! I just finished making and installing this and first I need to say thank you very much for your contribution to the rx7 community.

It fits perfectly, but I was wondering .... if what I'm feeling with my car should be happening.

I have a couple corners around my place (in the middle of no where) that are quite fun to go about 80 around (instead of 35). Anywas before installing this I would grip around, on rails, feeling the DTSS working and what not. Now my tires scream and my rear end comes out and I Start drifting ... . now ... I was used to this and it scared the crap out of me .... but .. my question is ... is that normal?
Why would a front lower arm bar make my ear end (although it was smooth and felt nice) pop out and feel like dtss wasnt doing its job.

Thanks, let me know.
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Old Feb 14, 2007 | 07:27 PM
  #81  
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I'm sorry I have read through this but what exactly does it do? Stop body contorsion/ warping?
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Old Feb 14, 2007 | 07:33 PM
  #82  
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From: Renton/Bellevue/Seattle WA
Originally Posted by Ishibubu
I'm sorry I have read through this but what exactly does it do? Stop body contorsion/ warping?
Well mine seems to make my rear end ....looser .. (or maybe the front is so much better it feels like I have oversteer not instead of understreer I donno ) haha
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Old Feb 14, 2007 | 08:34 PM
  #83  
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Your welcome.

Mine still understeers. I've heard of others reporting that different stiffening bars make that end of the car grippier or less grippy, and it does make sense that it can affect it, since there's motion going on in the body, and you're stiffening the 5th spring and are changing the dynamic alignment of the car, so it'll change the grip characteristics.
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 08:18 AM
  #84  
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From: southern indiana
if your car is too stiff it wont hug turns as well the car may chatter or break loose easyr on the limit bcs the the front and rear are working closer together (less flex and twisting) so the front and rear effect each other more and doesnt allow for as much of a delay in reaction from front to rear.for a bumpy track with high traction you would want more flex. i was just tryn to point out stiffer is not always better. dont forget preload on your strut braces and other braces can be used to fine tune the handling of your car.
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 11:33 AM
  #85  
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You're confusing suspension stiffness and chassis stiffness. I agree 100% that stiffer isn't necessarily better, in the suspension. Stiffer is ALWAYS better in the chassis though, as it gives a more stable platform for the suspension to work with, and helps minimise the effect of the undamped "5th spring", the chassis.
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 04:10 PM
  #86  
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From: eb Jersey
way to resurrect a year old thread, actually more than that the op is from 05
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:22 AM
  #87  
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grrrr i cant find 1 1/2 square tubing at my local home depot/lowes.. Ill try ace hardware tomarrow =p
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 02:52 AM
  #88  
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gona do this. due to inflation this DIY might cost about $20 now haha
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 11:09 AM
  #89  
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Nearly all welding/machine shops will cut you small pieces of metal for a small fee. I'd try them first, it's probably cheaper than going to a hardware store anyway.
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 11:15 AM
  #90  
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im glad someone resurrected this thread or id probably never found it, im def gonna make this, thanks
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 08:07 PM
  #91  
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I'd suggest that you all buy a little extra 2" square tubing and make yourselves a brake master cylinder brace at the same time. It makes for a much stiffer pedal.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/how-diy-brake-master-cylinder-brace-718744/
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 11:28 PM
  #92  
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this is thug-tastic. i love it... and i'm doing it.
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Old Jan 22, 2008 | 01:06 AM
  #93  
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heres mine




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Old Jan 22, 2008 | 10:10 AM
  #94  
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Nicely done, but that control arm's not looking so good.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 12:58 AM
  #95  
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dag on driftnuts chuckle my swaybar looks like that
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:46 AM
  #96  
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you guys just need lower offset wheels and you will stop hitting things. probably makes you spin when your inside tire locks up from suspension crash or you cant go full lock
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:21 PM
  #97  
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This thread caught my eye, so I built one today. Ace hardware 1" pipe for the long piece and stainless steel nut/bolts/washers. I had to go to a local welding shop to get a piece of 1 1/2" sq stock. Paint is drying now.
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Old Dec 20, 2008 | 01:17 AM
  #98  
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Seeing as how this thread inspired mine, it's been bumped, and not many of you venture into the fab section, here's my creation

https://www.rx7club.com/fabrication-250/fc-lower-arm-bar-776766/





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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 12:10 AM
  #99  
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I'd like to bump this thread since I just made one and have a few suggestions:

First of all the 3/8" bolts were way too long for me for some reason, maybe because the washers weren't thick enough. You can take a good inch off that bolt.

Secondly, you will be able to find the 1" steel square tubing at Home Depot or Lowes but do not buy it from there as they do not have the 1.5" tubing you need. Google "steels, city, state" or "metal, city, state" and find a welding/steel place close to you. They charge less than half what the big stores charge. The hardware you can get at your local Ace Hardware or Home Depot/Lowes.

Driving suggestions: Mine were similar to Tweakgames and the rear end comes around much easier. The difference is easily noticeable and fixed my understeer problem completely. This is only judged on limited seat time as I only had exit ramps to test drive on instead of a full course.

Lastly, its a good idea to make the master cylinder brace at the same time.

Here are pics of mine, no baller *** paint for me, lol.

<a href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=39313093&a lbumID=2017873&imageID=63388545"><img src="http://hotlink.myspacecdn.com/images02/59/54aa7780f8d445b682df0cf01a04dcfa/m.jpg" alt="Black91n/a DIY lower arm brace" /></a>
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 12:25 AM
  #100  
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Ok so i seen this a while back and now refreshed my memory. Question- On a convertible theres the brace that runs along back there. what is that for? (on most verts there rusted out). although mines crisp clean and all newly painted and shiny if i took it off and made a brace what would be the reaction of taking it off anyone know????????
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